Tried to set new Alignment, guy said NOGO...

[imorb1994]

To be set to carfixers specs, the tabs have to be removed.
All is ok as long as everything is tight

[Windsor58]

To be set to carfixers specs, the tabs have to be removed.
All is ok as long as everything is tight

Even though they didn't put the tabs back on? I knew they had to be removed, but I just assumed that they would put them (or new ones) back on when they got everything set.

[imorb1994]

The tabs are a disposable item. It is fine without them.
When the alignment is adjusted the bolts are turned, and new tabs would most likely not fit either

[Windsor58]

Cool. Thanks. They did tighten everything down good this time, so I should be good to go.

[GetMeMyStogie]

Here's a pic of the flags after they're removed, in case it isn't yet clear what's supposed to be removed:

[Glenn]

I have owned my MM for nearly 6 years/65,000 miles and never had an alignment. Can you just completely remove the bolt and then remove the flag - why the mention of an air chisel to remove the flag. Is the flag spot welded to the bolt head??

Glenn

[hidperf]

I finally found a competent shop near me that could get my 03 300A aligned to carfixers specs. The camber was still a smidge off due to the Eibachs but now I LOVE driving the car.

[fastblackmerc]

I have owned my MM for nearly 6 years/65,000 miles and never had an alignment. Can you just completely remove the bolt and then remove the flag - why the mention of an air chisel to remove the flag. Is the flag spot welded to the bolt head??

Glenn

Look at post #15. See the little tabs between the bolt head and flag? These tabs need to be removed so the flag can be removed.

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

have owned my MM for nearly 6 years/65,000 miles and never had an alignment. Can you just completely remove the bolt and then remove the flag - why the mention of an air chisel to remove the flag. Is the flag spot welded to the bolt head??

Ummmmm, the "bolt" you are speaking about holds one of the LCA pivots in. If you take this "bolt" out, the control arm is going to hit you in the head with the force of the coiled spring. You will be in several hundred pounds force of hurt. No.

It's staked on. The edges of the hex head are peened over onto the flag. Seeing as how the "bolt" is hardened steel, you can't just pry the flag off with a craftsmen screw driver.

[MinnesotaMuscle]

Well I'm glad to see this thread isn't dead. I brought the car up to the dealership and complained about the bad tire wear, because if you remember in my other posts the first shop tried MANY times to get it to carfixer's specs and just couldn't do it. The dealership found parts that were bent/wore out. So they said they would replace them for free being I had only bought the car a year ago. I was surprised they did this but I was getting very impatient at this point and I'm sure they could tell that.

The deal was I would pay for the new tires if they fixed the parts and did a new alignment. I told them it would still be a problem if they put it to factory specs but she said, no, no, the problem lies in the bad parts. SO, now the winter has gone by and sure enough you can see the definite beginning of the inner tire wear.....

So now what, go back and jump up and down screaming? Should they give me new tires and a new alignment? This is getting depressing AND EXPENSIVE!!!!!

[Shora]

Well I'm glad to see this thread isn't dead. I brought the car up to the dealership and complained about the bad tire wear, because if you remember in my other posts the first shop tried MANY times to get it to carfixer's specs and just couldn't do it. The dealership found parts that were bent/wore out. So they said they would replace them for free being I had only bought the car a year ago. I was surprised they did this but I was getting very impatient at this point and I'm sure they could tell that.

The deal was I would pay for the new tires if they fixed the parts and did a new alignment. I told them it would still be a problem if they put it to factory specs but she said, no, no, the problem lies in the bad parts. SO, now the winter has gone by and sure enough you can see the definite beginning of the inner tire wear.....

So now what, go back and jump up and down screaming? Should they give me new tires and a new alignment? This is getting depressing AND EXPENSIVE!!!!!

My local dealership told me they can do Carfixer's specs "no problem". So I bought new fronts tires and left the car with them.

However, when I saw the printout of the specs (which I had to request) they were off. I spoke with the tech and he said that it's the closest he can get. He just could NOT do better.

I ended up driving all the way across the State to have Carfixer himself do it. 3+ years later and the wear is still 100% perfect.

[bobsawyer7]

Well I'm glad to see this thread isn't dead. I brought the car up to the dealership and complained about the bad tire wear, because if you remember in my other posts the first shop tried MANY times to get it to carfixer's specs and just couldn't do it. The dealership found parts that were bent/wore out. So they said they would replace them for free being I had only bought the car a year ago. I was surprised they did this but I was getting very impatient at this point and I'm sure they could tell that.

The deal was I would pay for the new tires if they fixed the parts and did a new alignment. I told them it would still be a problem if they put it to factory specs but she said, no, no, the problem lies in the bad parts. SO, now the winter has gone by and sure enough you can see the definite beginning of the inner tire wear.....

So now what, go back and jump up and down screaming? Should they give me new tires and a new alignment? This is getting depressing AND EXPENSIVE!!!!!

If they don't remove the flags from the bolts they won't be able to meet carfixer specs. They have to be cut off but once that's done they can meet the specs. If they say they can't then you may want to look for another shop to do the work.

[knine]

Look at post #15. See the little tabs between the bolt head and flag? These tabs need to be removed so the flag can be removed.

I took a pic in for my "alignment specialist" to get it right. Wear looked as though it ended. Keeping an eye on the new meat to make sure. Thanks CARFIXER !!! nyuk nyuk nyuk.

[MinnesotaMuscle]

Well as an update, I did go back to the dealer and jump up and down yelling... literally. I have now put 90K+ on the car since I bought it and I was able to talk them into replacing my new tires and doing another alignment for free. The deal was that they would replace everything and not to bring the car back to them.... That it was now my issue... So looks like the tech was able to get to the specs carfixer calls for... Now only time will tell....... I do think that its pretty bad that the dealership agrees its a problem since I bought the car from them, and even while there executive drove the car they were replacing tires every 15K, yet they still won't see the problem out to the very end, but instead tell me to not come back.... If the tire wear persists, I suppose I could take them to court to get another set of tires out of them, but I don't think it would be worth the $400 it would save me.... Boy I hope this works......

[jonroe]

I had my local mechanic do the work - he does all my work that I don't do and he specializes in front end work. He saw the problem immediately and "carefully" torched off the flags because you cannot "take them off" in a normal fashion. Now I am at the improved specs though I can't tell about wear yet - I only have about 5k miles since then.