My Alignment-Thoughts, considering Plates.

[mccor023]

I had my alignment checked today while having my wheels balanced, and the shop stated they wouldn't charge me because I need Camber Plates.

LF RF
Cam -1.0 -1.4
Cast 8.9 8.4
Toe .26 .02
LR RR
Cam -1.4 -2.0
Toe -.06 .17
(With out driver seater)
This is a street car and the only track time it sees it I95 when I forced to drive through downtown.
While I encourage the thought of spending more money on my car, could camber plates really make that much of a difference on my street car?

[Holland]

Not really. Besides any camber plate will be designed with additional camber in mind.

My plates are almost at their most mild setting, and I'm running neg 2.5 degrees up front.

[jlevie]

The camber errors on the front wheels, while not ideal, is acceptable. But the camber and toe errors on the rear wheels is bothersome and probably means that the subframe and trailing arm bushings need to be replaced. In a like manner a rebuild of the front suspension is probably needed.

[Cletonius]

Jim: couldn't the rear values also be caused by a bent part?

[mccor023]

The camber errors on the front wheels, while not ideal, is acceptable. But the camber and toe errors on the rear wheels is bothersome and probably means that the subframe and trailing arm bushings need to be replaced. In a like manner a rebuild of the front suspension is probably needed.

Well that's not fun to hear. The front just got new springs/ shocks/ E30 offset cabs/ tie rods less than a year ago, and just installed new ST 22mm sway w new bush and end links.

The rear also less than a year ago has IE urethane Subframe mounts/ Rtabs/ Diff mount/ using their urethane rear spring spacer w new springs/ shocks and the "HD" E46 shock mounts.

Granted I installed most these parts myself and I am fully capable of screwing stuff up! But, I though I did good. Also don't think it matters but new OE motor mounts/ tranny mounts/ rear end links (been lazy and not installed rear ST kit).

[jlevie]

With the bushings having been changed in the rear so little time ago, the camber/toe errors are probably from damage to trailing arms. Damage could also be the cause of the front errors.

Camber plates in the front and weld-in camber/toe adjusters in the rear can fix this.

[mccor023]

With the bushings having been changed in the rear so little time ago, the camber/toe errors are probably from damage to trailing arms. Damage could also be the cause of the front errors.

Camber plates in the front and weld-in camber/toe adjusters in the rear can fix this.

Well that sucks, I wonder what could've caused the damage.
I also can't weld and don't know any welders.

[Roysneon]

Basically if you have a stock (or mostly stock) E30 the only thing that an alignment tech can do is set the toe. Most shops should be able to work with you on getting that done without charging you for a front end alignment.