Alignment **ucked need help please

[dougefresh_]

My car pulls very hard left (like at 80 mph you'd hit the guardrail in less than 1 second, literally).
I just learned of the TSB on here this week, (thank you all!), and I'm going to call the dealer tomorrow to have it checked out.
Problem is, I'm getting some mods (SF + TIP + AP) in the next two weeks, and want to get this suspension business squared away first, as to not tip off the
dealer if I have a major problem and need to "de-mod & unmarry" before the visit. Plus, the closest dealer is a douche, and didn't want to replace my clutch, but did only bc of all the great info you guys armed me with (special thanks to turbo6girl).
I accelerate & corner hard (like most of you I'm sure), but not an autocross guys, etc... I'd be more worried about something going awry at the end of the 1/4 than anything else. That, and I noticed my tires are already down to 5/32 with only 4K miles.
PLUS, I saw on the printout below, that the top says "Mazda : Mazda6 : 2003-07 : Wagon " ?? Going to a different dealer anyways.



I thank you guys in advance for the input! It's been challenging trying to keep up with all great (new) info on here, you guys & girls ROCK! (btw, I have an 06 speed6 26K mi, I just liked the grill on the wwp6 in my avatar).
Also, any advice on how to approach the dealer?

[cfdp]

http://forum.mazda6club.com/index.php?showtopic=72653

Hey again! I'm trying to figure out the best alignment specs as well... My post #: 251

[dougefresh_]

PS. Read through a similar thread, and still have a question for before I go to the dealer...

If the TSB applies, and the dealer fixes it, do I still ask them to set the following specs after the replacement parts are installed?

Front
camber: -1.2 deg +/- .2 deg
Toe @ tire: .06" +/- .03"
Toe @ tire: .14 deg +/- .04 deg

Rear
camber: -1.6 deg +/-.2 deg
Toe @ rim(?): .06" +/- .03"
Toe @ tire: .14 deg +/- .04 deg

Thanks. I'd love to get in there today or tomorrow.





QUOTE (cfdp @ Jul 31 2009, 05:48 AM)

http://forum.mazda6club.com/index.php?showtopic=72653

Hey again! I'm trying to figure out the best alignment specs as well... My post #: 251[/b]

Hey man, how's it going? Thanks for the thread. I pulled those other numbers from another thread headed by KevinK2.. he knows his stuff. So, maybe it should be the other spec he mentioned:

"front and rear total toe-in at .09 deg +/- .04 deg ( .04" +/- .02" @ tire ). Rear camber of -1.6 deg MS6, and -1.1 M6 deg (spec targets), +/-.2 deg. [ Be clear about the toe spec units: degrees is typically used]"

I wonder if the dealer will do this, or if I need to go to an alignment shop?

[jd42]

QUOTE (dougefresh_ @ Jul 31 2009, 12:18 AM)

My car pulls very hard left ...[/b]

Looking at the spec sheet, I'm surprised your car has such a hard pull to the left. If anything, I would expect the extra caster on the right to create a slight pull to the right. The cross-caster may be curable with a replacement upper A-arm designed for this purpose.

I don't think the ridiculous rear cross-camber would be responsible for the hard left pull. Since the rear has camber adjustment, this can be easily remedied.

I'm concerned about the caster and camber imbalance on the front. This suggests the possibility of suspension damage. Any chance the car was in a wreck previously?

QUOTE (dougefresh_ @ Jul 31 2009, 09:07 AM)

If the TSB applies, and the dealer fixes it, do I still ask them to set the following specs after the replacement parts are installed?

Front
camber: -1.2 deg +/- .2 deg[/b]

Front camber is not adjustable with the factory equipment, so you won't be able to achieve the -1.2 degrees there. SPC adjustable ball joints will give you the capability to adjust camber on the front. If a large camber imbalance still exists after addressing the cross-caster issue, you may need the ball joints to balance out the camber anyway.

[dougefresh_]

Thanks for the reply!

QUOTE (jd42 @ Jul 31 2009, 05:28 AM)

I'm concerned about the caster and camber imbalance on the front. This suggests the possibility of suspension damage. Any chance the car was in a wreck previously?[/b]

That's what the dealer said, and "I wouldn't worry about it at all."
It was a returned lease with 22K miles on it when I bought it up last year from a Speed Dealer (out of state though). Car-Fax report I got when I bought it was clean, but now I'm worried. The only thing that's happened since I've had her is someone backed into my rear bumper in a parking lot (no note left, what a shock), leaving a 1/2" dent vertically along bumper, but insurance covered a new one (and thankfully I dropped my deduct to $300 when I bought it.. new bumper painted= $1250). Other than that, nothing.

[papaford]

You most likely have a tire pull. Cross your two front tires and see