alignment place can't adjust camber

[AlphaMale]

Just like the title says. Recently took the B6 to Sears for an alignment after I noticed some steering wheel pull to the right and shakiness during all throttle conditions. Tech comes out and tells me the alignment is done but they couldnt adjust the camber on the front passenger side due to worn parts. He refused to tell me what parts. I was in a hurry and didn't have time to pitch a fit so I just left. Naturally, the car still shook and steering wheel still pulled to the right. Would this "diagnosis" give any indication as to what I might be looking at here? Upper control arms? Axle? CV joints look intact but its hard to get in there and look because there's a foot of snow outside and i have no garage/driveway.

[Charles.waite]

He's full of shit. You can't adjust camber REGARDLESS on the front.

Did they even do anything? I bet you have a worn Tie rod and it was siezed. Hence the guy didn't touch it, made up some excuse, and charged you for him to twiddle his thumbs...

[Support@KMDtuning]

The best way to adjust Camber in the Front of these cars is with Adjustable upper control arms! Try to find a shop that has a Hunter Hawk Eye Alignment machine! Also, make sure your tie rod nuts are not frozen!

[AlS6]

He's full of shit. You can't adjust camber REGARDLESS on the front.

Did they even do anything? I bet you have a worn Tie rod and it was siezed. Hence the guy didn't touch it, made up some excuse, and charged you for him to twiddle his thumbs...

So caster only? why can't camber be adjusted? What would cause an inner tire wear then?

[Charles.waite]

So caster only? why can't camber be adjusted? What would cause an inner tire wear then?

Toe only, actually. Camber is static, its dictated by the Upper Control Arms. If you get adjustable uppers then you can adjust it, but otherwise you can't. You can shift the subframe around though if its not even side to side, but the total camber is set.

Inner tire wear (something I have actually too) is caused by a combination of worn upper arms (causing a sag and the static camber increases as well as being unstable under loads) and excessive toe-in. Its tough to narrow down though as the wear levels of suspension components and the "sag" worn bushings can introduce can have varied effects...

[Audibot]

Sucks that they charge you. When I lived in NJ, the Sears I used to take my cars to didn't charge me when my tie rods were worn too much to adjust. Shame you got ripped off.

[Strunzee]

i have a c5 allroad and i am also getting uneven tire wear on the rear tires, but there arent rear tie rods correct? what else could be causing it?

[Charles.waite]

Camber and toe is adjustable in the rear. I'm not positive with the C5 platform, but I believe its the same suspension design.

[vjborelli]

Camber can also be off if any of the car's previous owners installed the B5 spring perches. It lowers the cars front end a bit.

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[walky_talky20]

You'll find that you get more specific suggestions if you post the actual alignment specs. I'm not sure if you have them in this case, though.

[AlphaMale]

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[vjborelli]

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They just didn't want to adjust your subframe. Go get your money back.

Overall, don't get your alignment at Sears. Their $75 alignment only has a 6 month warranty, and it is front end only.

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[walky_talky20]

Yeah. Right Front camber is nearly double that of the Left Front. I would say that is enough to warrant sliding the subframe.

[AlS6]

Toe only, actually. Camber is static, its dictated by the Upper Control Arms. If you get adjustable uppers then you can adjust it, but otherwise you can't. You can shift the subframe around though if its not even side to side, but the total camber is set.

Inner tire wear (something I have actually too) is caused by a combination of worn upper arms (causing a sag and the static camber increases as well as being unstable under loads) and excessive toe-in. Its tough to narrow down though as the wear levels of suspension components and the "sag" worn bushings can introduce can have varied effects...

So if I replace the shocks in the front, I would not worry about alignment then if alignment is good to begin with?

[vjborelli]

So if I replace the shocks in the front, I would not worry about alignment then if alignment is good to begin with?

You always want to check it after any suspension or steering work. The Sears near me has a free alignment inspection machine that takes 5 minutes to check.

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