alignment story - arghh

[Guest]

My car has always pulled to the left just enough so that if i were to fall asleep at the wheel, i would eventually end up in the ditch. What bothers me the most, though, is that my steering wheel isn't straight, it being turned to the right about 5 degrees while heading perfectly straight down the road. So, I went in for an alignment. $100 later (!), I was told that the frame needed to be adjusted/squared up because they couldn't get it aligned perfectly enough.

So, I brought to a shop where they did the frame alignment. Apparently, when they bolted all the wheels down, the front, right wheel was about 2" off the floor, meaning the frame was twisted. So they had to really mess with it, and they think they got everything sorted out for me (for $200). Except the steering wheel still isn't straight!@!!!!

Now i have to go back for another 4 wheel alignment where they will check the measurements again to make sure it is perfect. They say that they will perform any necessary adjustments for free, as long as they aren't too serious, but I am more concerned about the steering wheel being straight.

My question is this: what could make my wheel not be straight? Could something be bent or damaged? They say that it is an easy fix, but i'm concerned that all they'll do is pop off my steering wheel and put it back on so it looks straight, and then charge me more $$$.

sorry about the long sob story, but honestly any thoughts would be appreciated. I'm sick of being ripped of by these sneaky shops.

[Jordan]

Not sure how the shop you use does alignments...

When I do an alignment at work I put the steering wheel dead straight ahead, with the wheels as straight as possible.

Then lock the steering wheel

then adjust front toe

voila...

[golde30]

maybe the steering wheel isnt on straight. does your car track straight on a flat road if u let go of the wheel? and if it does, is the wheel straight? if your car tracks straight and doesnt pull to one side of another, then just take off the wheel and re-allign it.

[E30 Wagen]

no, the car does not track straight. When i let go of the wheel, the wheel turns straight, but then the car veers left.

[erik325i]

Your front toe is off. The propper way to fix that is how Jordon just described above.
Set steering wheel straight, lock steeirng wheel
set front toe.
done.

There is no need for a "4 wheel allignment". That is just a way to charge you extra for nothing. The only thing adjustable on a stock e30 suspension, is the front toe.

[benDASHDASH]

I need to adjust my front toe.. are there any tricks to getting it perfect (DIY)?

[erik325i]

I need to adjust my front toe.. are there any tricks to getting it perfect (DIY)?

no. some people say they can get it close, or better , but you need an allignment maching in order to propperly allign your wheels.

[Digitalwave]

Alignments are $45-55 at most shops, don't be cheap and try to do it yourself. I don't know why this guy paid $100 for a 4 wheel alignment when there is nothing adjustable in the rear, but it sounds like his steering wheel is off center. Get the car aligned for free again, and if its still crooked, take it off and put it on straight.

[Waynegro]

After I installed my new control arms my steering wheel is crooked also, bugs the shit out of me. Gotta fix it one of these days.