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nsxt2000
10-06-2007, 05:14 PM
One of the topics discussed at NSXPO 2007 currently in full swing in Ohio was alignment. According to experts an accurae alignment job requires more than just lifting the vehicle and setting it to factory specs. To do the job right thee are several points to consider. Among these are:
A. What style of driving do you do? Are you aggressive or are you more of a crusier, etc.
B. Do you usually carry a passenger? If so, is it mostly in the front seat or are the back seats utilized? Have people itting in the respective seats while an alignment is in progress.
C. What compromises are you willing to make? That is for example, while a more aggressive set-up means better handling, will you accept the faster tire wear? Is a hard ride O.K. vs a softer one?
D. Even the amount of fuel a car holds should be part of the mix!

Frankly these are points few of us think about when having our vehicles aligned, but pay off in the end, or in the handling as it were.
-Mike S.
mustangII460
10-21-2007, 03:57 AM
Years ago when I was doing alignments,(Early 80's.) I would have the driver stay in the car. Especially if he was a big'un.
nsxt2000
10-21-2007, 01:55 PM
Do the points made at the NSXPO discussion of alignment make sense? Although I had never considered them, they do seem logical.

I have an inquiring mind - albeit a small one...
-Mike S.
Randy
10-24-2007, 05:38 PM
Interesting points.I wonder how many times the guy at our own Alignment rack actually takes these points in to consideration.

I do know that our BMW store actually puts sand bags in the cars to help simulate a person in the car during an alignment.
Jeff
10-24-2007, 09:27 PM
But aren`t the wheels suspended in the air when the alignment is done, as is the suspension? I don`t see what placing weight in the car would do to make a difference, the lifting points are on the frame of the car.
Randy
10-25-2007, 01:53 PM
Doing an alignment with the wheels in the air would be pointless.

The wheels need to be on the ground to do a proper alignment to simulate how it would track on the road.Adding weight like sand bags is to simulate the weight of passangers.