Alignment: Impossible with H&R springs-follow-up

[Jacob Michaels]

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Folks,

Had the alignment done before I took a trip down to California from Portlan=
d, OR.

The car, with the H&R's and OE shocks, had the front camber come in -1.5 le=
ft, -1.0 right. Front toe was 1/8 out, which might have been causing most o=
f inner tire wear. Best they could get the left camber was -1.25, -1.0 righ=
t=2E

During my drive down the lovely I5 corridor,  bump steer was evident.  Bern=
ie planted the seed of awareness on that one.

Mulling over installing the original springs that came with the car when I =
purchased it.   I'm driving to Colorado in a week in this beast and want to=
 get the suspension/tires sorted out before this 3,000 mile trip.  I did ju=
st purchase a set of Sumitomo summer tires, HTR 200, (my first off-brand ti=
re purhase) from the tire track, but I am low on cash and these tires seem =
right for the car, and were only $46 each. I ahve dedicated winter tires.

Also in evidence was what I think is the smell of burnt pentosin coming thr=
ough the climate vents. This smell only wafts through when the car is idlin=
g at stops.  It looks like pentosin, or something, is dripping onto the exh=
aust pipe right below the inner driver's side cv joint, but also the front =
of both cats seem to be coated with something too. Smells bad, but not like=
 motor oil.  Anybody else have this smell or leak pattern?


Jacob
  ----- Original Message -----
  From: Djdawson2 at aol.com
  To: jalexmichaels at hotmail.com ; 200q20v at audifans.com
  Sent: Monday, June 09, 2003 12:17 PM
  Subject: Re: Alignment: Impossible with H&R springs?


  Jacob,
  Sounds like you're suffering from either excessive negative camber or toe=
 out, or possibly both.  Both are possible to fix, the camber situation may=
 be more difficult, however.  You will need to enhance stock camber adjusta=
bility by either increasing the size of the slots on the upper mount plate,=
 or replacing them with adjustable camber plates.

  Keep in mind, some cars will not need to be modified WRT camber adjustmen=
ts.  I lowered mine, and still had adequate adjustability without resorting=
 to plates or slot mods.

  Bottom line... you'll never know until you get it on a rack.  See what yo=
u've got, then fix whatever needs to be fixed.  No need to toss the H&Rs if=
 you like them.
  Good luck, and HTH,
  Dave