ALIGNMENT ?? - 2003 Impala 3.4V6

I recently upgraded to H-rated tires of OEM size for my Impala and had
4whl alignment done as a package at a local Town Fair.


The improvement from S-rated to H-rated was noticeable, particularly in

steering response. No more squeal in turns, and a firmer ride.
Unfortunately, the car "seemed" to exhibit some pull to the left, which

I brought the car back for the next week.


My sales rep reviewed the alignment printout which showed everything to

be pretty much within manufacturer's spec window, but proceeded to rack

up my car for an adjustment. And actually, the conditions that would
contribute to a left-pull: more positive camber on the left, less
positive caster on the left, were not the case!


Afterwards, I was handed a new print out, which showed my caster to be
just outside the manufacturer's window, but all other measurements
within spec. Caster for the '03 Impala should be +2.7 <> +3.7 deg, but

mine was +2.5L/+2.6R. I asked how the caster got to be so out of spec
and will it effect my driveablity, the sales guy said, the other
adjustments affect caster, and, no, it shouldn't effect driveablity.


Once back on the road, the left pull was gone, but now the car exhibits

little or no "center" feel to it. Steering wheel return after a turn
is not nearly as nimble, and I often must correct slightly one I'm on
the road I turned on to. And even at highway speeds, I have to guide
the car to keep it in the lane I'm in.


If what the sales rep said is true, what other adjustments can have an
effect on the Impala caster, which itself is not adjustable? And what
should I have them do to get the caster closer to GM's +3.2 suggested
spec?


Thanks in advance,


-ChrisCoaster

Unless you were expieriencing extreme tire wear or some pulling to one
side, WHY did you have a 4 wheel alignment done on a car that's barely
two year old?

I never had one done till the front struts were replaced when the car
was 9 years old.

=========
Harryface
=========

1991 Pontiac Bonneville LE
3800 V6 ( C ), Black/Slate Grey
_~_~_~300,079 miles_~_~_

~_~_~_~_U.S.A._~_~_~_~_~_

~~~The Former Fleet ~~~
89 Cavalier Z 24 convertible
78 Holiday 88 coupe
68 LeSabre convertible
73 Impala sedan

ChrisCoaster wrote:

> Whoa Whoa Whoa WHOOOOAAAAAAAAA!!! Take a chill, dude, you're more high
> strung than Chris Mathews. Come on! Read my original POST. Of course
> I have printouts - from Town Fair Tire.

Yeah, you are right....I must have been in an ugly mood that
day. Glad that you found a place that could get the alignment
where you wanted it.

Ian

shiden_kai wrote:
> ChrisCoaster wrote:
>
> > Whoa Whoa Whoa WHOOOOAAAAAAAAA!!! Take a chill, dude, you're more
high
> > strung than Chris Mathews. Come on! Read my original POST. Of
course
> > I have printouts - from Town Fair Tire.
>
> Yeah, you are right....I must have been in an ugly mood that
> day. Glad that you found a place that could get the alignment
> where you wanted it.
>
> Ian
______________
Where "I" wanted it - geez, your sarcasm sticks out like Mayor
Bloomberg takin a stroll in the Village! Get it through your skull "I
WANTED IT" where GM SPECIFIED IT to be set - within GM's window for
this generation Impala.

why, Lord, oh why, do I waste my breath - ehm - keystrokes that is?...

-CC