Alignment Question
#1
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Alignment Question
Hey Guys, I went in for a front end alignment and the tech told me that cars with struts have no adjustment for camber. My car has too much positive camber on the passenger side and he said he would have to do some grinding with the bolt hole or something like that. Is this true? Ha also said there wasn't caster adjustment either. I can't believe that these cars are designed to set the toe, and let it go! Any help would be appreciated. I'm having some pulling to the left on acceleration which gets worse the harder you mash it. Even on mild acceleration, it goes into oncoming traffic. My Caddy STS didn't do this. Need the truth!! Thanks
#2
Your mechanic was right and your car must have been in an accident at some time.
The lower "A" frame is an alloy piece and does not bend very well so there is some problem with the attachment to the front frame or your strut assembly could be bent.
I believe he want to slot the upper strut bolt holes but that seems just a poor fix IMHO.
Better get it checked with a proper frame man he should be able to tell you where the problem originates.
The lower "A" frame is an alloy piece and does not bend very well so there is some problem with the attachment to the front frame or your strut assembly could be bent.
I believe he want to slot the upper strut bolt holes but that seems just a poor fix IMHO.
Better get it checked with a proper frame man he should be able to tell you where the problem originates.
#3
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No camber adjustment on this car. Camber being off doesn't necessarily mean it was in an accident. But some sort of "trauma". A serious pot hole or hitting a curb can do it as well.I would take it to a different shop. Grinding out the hole is a "Jethrow" solution. There is a "Cammed" bolt to use in cases where this happens. The bolt is available at most auto part stores. It is thinner than the original bolt, but as strong, and has a offset cam shape to it that allows for some camber adjustment. If it isn't enough to correct it, then your going to have to look into whether the lower control arm bushings are shot or the top of the strut assembly was damaged, or take the "jethrow" way out. These alignment bolts are cheap and I'd give that a shot first.
#5
As I mentioned in my previous message accident or hitting pot hole bassicly the same thing.
I would still have someone who knows to have a look at it as all the other things are stopgap
methods.
I would still have someone who knows to have a look at it as all the other things are stopgap
methods.
#6
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Ya Mouse, But I have never seen caster plates available for our bonne'*. Most seemed geared for Mustangs, Camaros'*, Firebird'*, and alot of Rice Brands. (because people are prone to lowering them.
For those unfamiliar with them : They align from the top, which to me seems the weakest area to do so. They cost $200-300, and like I said, I haven't seen any listings for our Bonnevilles.
For those unfamiliar with them : They align from the top, which to me seems the weakest area to do so. They cost $200-300, and like I said, I haven't seen any listings for our Bonnevilles.
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Thanks for all the great information guys! I bought the car new and it only has 20k miles on it. It'* never been in an accident and I've never hit any pothole that big that could have done any damage. It'* not as if the camber is soooo far out, but with the positive camber on the right (passenger) and slight negitive camber on the left, I'm getting a torque pull to the left. Drives me nuts!! I did have a bad tire on the front that was causing a hard pull to the right. The shop put that tire on the right rear, and now the car pulls to the left. Do you think the rear tire could be causing the pull (push) to the left now that it'* on the rear? I've already had three tires replaced by Discount Tire that were all covered under warranty by Good Year. All had either shifted belts or run out issues. I'm starting to think that replaceing the tires may be the answer to all my problems, but I don't have the $800 to do that.
#8
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Guessing you don't have the Extended warranty. Rear tires could affect "pull" but not the caster of the front end. If it is small degree as you stated, the "cammed' bolt for the top hole of the bottom strut mount should do the trick.
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Thanks Venom. I'll buy the bolt and take it with me. I'm sure this shop wouldn't carry them since they seem to have wanted to grind mine down. Appreciate all the feedback from everyone!!
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alignment
hi, i am new to this forum and also new to GXP BONNEVILLE ownership but 40 year auto mechanic. i am a firm believer in the factory service manual, (FSM), and have had one for all of my cars. i was looking at the FSM in the alignment section, page 3-16 and 3-17 in book 1 of 3 for my new to me 2004 GXP and filing of the strut bolt hole to gain or loose camber and filing of the strut tower bolt holes to gain caster is the GM recomended way. the FSM recomends to file only the bottom hole of the strut. they have a tool to aid in the camber setting processs, J39601. i do love my GXP and hope to own it for years. see ya