We replaced both LH and RH ball joints and UCA and took it in for an alignment. They said they couldn't align the right side. We bought the RH (and LH) side at the dealer and it is a 1 piece design and the original is a 2 piece design. Dealership says it is the correct one and that the design was just changed. It fit right so why are they not able to align? Are we missing something here? My husband spent hours on the phone yesterday trying to get some answers but we are not getting anywhere. Help!!
Because the alignment guy isn't using his head-
I have seen this before-
It is quite complicated, so bear with me and I will try to explain.
The auto parts manufacturers have changed the design, and, the alignment computers have changed the process accordingly-
The early design had a 2 piece arm which would allow a "caster angle" adjustment to match the caster of the drivers side wheel-( this is what the alignment tech needs to do-)
However-
The new computer program doesn't account for this adjustment, and relies soley on " triangulation" adjustment using only the "camber " adjusters-
( if I pull ONLY the rear camber in, it will also shift the caster angle Higher, for instance)
Here is what they need to do--
step 1
adjust driver side camber to max--both washers to max camber offset.
DO NOT TOUCH THESE AT ALL!! even if the computer says --do not adjust them!!!!
step 2
straighten the steering wheel-
step3
measure driver side caster angle
step 4
adjust passenger side camber to max
step 5
level front ride height via torsion key adjusters
step 6
adjust the 2 piece arm by sliding forward or rearward to match caster to driver side.
Now it is roughed in enough to use the computer alignment machine following it's instructions-
For the first 6 steps though-ignore it's instructions, follow ONLY the measurements as a guide for rough in.
A GOOD alignment tech should be able to understand this.
A "school trained" alignment tech will merely scratch his head and say I'm full of crap--
