Re: Alignment

[QSHIPQ@aol.com]

In a message dated 10/13/99 2:31:43 PM Central Daylight Time, 
orin@WOLFENET.com writes:

> Agreed.  But set them spot on to start with and hopefully they will
>  still be in the proper range.  Set them just in the range,
>  then after the ride you could be quite a way off...
>  
>  Scott, next time you have the car on the rack, it would be
>  interesting to see what changes you get by starting unladen,
>  then putting the toys/driver in.
>  
>  Orin.
>  
Orin, a couple of points.  There is no *spot on*, that is a range by 
definition, and a pretty healthy one at that.  If you watch the programmed 
alignment machines, they * or print in red, alignment settings that are out 
of specification.  "Specification" hence is defined at anything within the 
range.  Audi interprets this the same way as well with the Hunter machines 
Audi US authorized service centers use.

One could (given empty car 1/4 tank of gas) set the camber rear to the 
positive side  of specification to address a usually laden car. Alignments 
are usually a mechanics best work, given the condition of the car.  All cars 
have rubber bushings, some newer than others.  Given that, alignment range 
can be generous.  Given a triangulated swaybar in the T44 and S car chassis, 
"spot" on is very relative.  I can guarantee that if you haven't replaced all 
the front swaybar bushings in one of these cars (not to mention the huge rear 
pivot bushing in the rear control arms), your alignment will be *less* 
accurate than the string and tape measure method.  

I have done some alignment cks loading and unloading a car.  Given the rear 
lateral links the 44 and S cars have at the rear, camber seems to be the only 
real effect (toe changes very little, and assuming the bushings to be in good 
shape, will stay within range easily).  A coil over spring conversion in the 
rear makes this minimum.  

Still looking for the definition of "spot on".  IMO/E, there is no such 
thing.  The best method for figuring "spot on" of a given chassis, is to 
align, then drive, then recheck.  The obvious alignment problems appears on 
the recheck.  i.e., if the rear alignment gets out of whack, take a look at 
those rear C/A bushings.

As a personal point of reference, 4k/90/80 chassis that haven't had new 
rubber bushings installed, are an alignment nightmare.  

My .02

Scott Justusson