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Thread: Carfixer's Alignment Specs

  1. #1
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    Carfixer's Alignment Specs

    Courtesy of Carfixer

    The inside edge wear of the front tires is caused by 2 things: negative camber and negative toe (toe out). Caster is not a tire wearing angle. The outside edge wear can be caused by excessive toe in and aggressive cornering.

    Factory camber spec is -.5 degrees or- .75 degrees
    Factory toe spec is -.15 degrees or- .20 degrees
    (BTW, this info came from their website which is updated periodically and may differ from previously published material, such as cd's and paper manuals)

    That means your alignment could have -1.25 degrees of camber and toe out of -.35 degrees and still be in the green. This will wipe out the inside edges in 20K miles IMO.

    All of the MM's I've aligned (about 10) had at least -1.0 degrees of camber and always toe out of -.10 degrees or more from the factory. That's why almost all MM's you see have excessive inside edge tire wear.

    For best tire wear, here is what I use on all MM alignments:
    Camber: 0 to -.3 degrees.*
    Toe: Zero degrees.
    Caster: 5-6.5 degrees positive with .3 degree lead on the right side.

    *Camber can affect cornering feel. The more negative camber you have, the better it will handle corners. Most drivers will never feel the difference, especially on the street.
    Last edited by RF Overlord; 04-17-2018 at 01:19 PM.
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  2. #2
    Join Date
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    Alignment specs

    I have had my car aligned twice in the last eight months using posted specs. The car drives like a circle track car. Feels like way to much negative camber. In review of the recommended specs I think the camber specs were misinterpreted by the tech. 0-negative -.3 degrees negative. Feels like negative -3.0 degrees.
    Shouldn't the recommended camber specs read 0 - -03 degrees ?
    Factory camber spec is -.5 degrees or- .75 degrees.
    2004 marauder black purchased new. Sold 9/16 at 297,000 miles. Still ran strong didn't burn a drop of oil.
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  3. #3
    Join Date
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    alignment question

    I've kept carfixer's alignment specs on file for the time when I need an alignment. (thank you) That time is now, and I have a question.

    I gave these to my shop this morning and they say that the stock MM has no camber adjustment, unless I buy special camber bolts. I get the impression that these are eccentrics and fit the bottom pivot point in the lower control arm.

    How likely is the MM to be out of carfixer's specs with the non-adjustable stock setup?

    If I align to his specs for toe and caster, but leave camber as-is, will I eat up my tires?

    In other words, how bad do I need to add camber adjustment capability?

    Thanks in advance - I love this forum, I learn something every day here.

    Keith in Houston
    04 DTR

  4. #4
    Join Date
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    You might have to remove the alignment flags that prevent camber adjusting very far. they need to be air-chisled off or big hammer and chisel. they are located on the lower A arm where the bolt is, it looks like a rectangular washer
    Last edited by RubberCtyRauder; 05-24-2018 at 08:11 AM.
    2004 SB Ported Trilogy 48
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  5. #5
    Join Date
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    2004 SB Ported Trilogy 48
    Has supporting mods and stuff
    Thanks to Marty O for his help in updating this car.

    R.I.P.
    Rex "SC Cheesehead"

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by Keith View Post
    I've kept carfixer's alignment specs on file for the time when I need an alignment. (thank you) That time is now, and I have a question.

    I gave these to my shop this morning and they say that the stock MM has no camber adjustment, unless I buy special camber bolts. I get the impression that these are eccentrics and fit the bottom pivot point in the lower control arm.

    How likely is the MM to be out of carfixer's specs with the non-adjustable stock setup?

    If I align to his specs for toe and caster, but leave camber as-is, will I eat up my tires?

    In other words, how bad do I need to add camber adjustment capability?

    Thanks in advance - I love this forum, I learn something every day here.

    Keith in Houston
    04 DTR

    Took my car in to the dealer a few weeks ago after I had the tire ware problem. Gave them the spec and they came back after working on the car and said they could not meet the spec. Told them (like I did even before they started working on the car) to remove the flags. They did this and were able to meet the spec. Car handles fine. Time will till on the wear.


    Joe

  7. #7
    Join Date
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    Texas
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    thanks

    Great answers gentlemen, thank you.

    Keith in Houston

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