Re: Re: Alignment

["Frank Martin" <frankens@exotrope.net>]

>Date: Thu, 14 Oct 1999 08:43:45 EDT
>From: QSHIPQ@aol.com
>Subject: Re: Alignment


EDITED...


>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.

>Scott Justusson


Huh. I took my sister's car to my mechanic a couple weeks ago. He's got a
Hunter machine, and it seems he (as in times previous) showed me on his
screen the _specific_ (which I would take as "spot on") alignment figures
called for by the manufacturer, as well as an allowable range to either side
of each figure. He will go for that exact figure, unless you want to save a
few dollars and tell him otherwise - and I found out the reason. Before
opening his own shop, he was a machinist by training and trade. As he
explained to me, everyone has his(/her) own individual range of
accuracy/inaccuracy in their work. How they set the machines up, prepare the
work, view the readings, etc.  If a machinist/mechanic just settles for
getting within one end of a range, this may be just an overlap with his own
range of error - these added together could make the end specs. further off
than you think.

I've driven the results of his work, and it is _good_. I wish I could share
him with you-all. A mechanic as picky as he is worth his weight in Pentosin.

Frank M.
Watkins Glen, NY, USA