Did they see me coming?

[collforone]

This might be one of those stupid questions, but please bear with me. I know a bit about cars, but this one just amazed me.


I just got new tires on my '96 Grand Prix, I know it is a good idea to get the wheels aligned when you get new tires, so I made an appt for that. I also know I have four wheel independant suspension so I need the back wheels aligned, too.
The alignment tech told me that he was unable to align my rear wheels because the cambor adjustment was not adjustable. He said I had to make another appt to get a "cambor bolt" installed, then he could adjust the rear wheels. I made that appt for today and here I am $128.00 later with my new cambor bolt installed and my rear wheels aligned. I had already paid for the alignment, so this was just for the cambor bolt and labor. If all that is true, then is this the first time the rear wheels have ben adjusted? Do I have to have that bolt installed each time? If the rear wheels are supposed to be aligned, why weren't the adjustors already installed? How can a car be that old and never have had the rear wheels aligned? Sorry for all the questions, but this really has me confused.

 

[TorqueAutoMotiv]

theres a adjustment bolt for alignmenst on gps thats after market and its around 28 bucks so if the labor was for around an hour it seems right and the front probably already had the camber bolt installed Im guessing here on it though

 

[BillBoost37]

Most of the time the car is in spec and the bolts aren't required. What they are is a odd looking bolt that looks sorta like a camshaft lobe. This is frequently referred to as a crash bolt. It allows for alignment where the factory didn't originally intend for adjustment.

 

[collforone]

Thanks guys.. now I feel kinda silly... It sure feels good with the new tires and the wheels all aligned.. it is noticable. I just had the brakes done.. now i have a small hole in the gas tank.. way up high.. and if I could get rid of that squeak in the back when I go over bumps... I had new struts put in.. still makes the squeak. Then I think she will be perfect

 

[BillBoost37]

Im in Enfield. Things like that squeak might be quick and easy. What part of Mass did you say you were in?

Oh..and that leak could be the seal on top of the tank. Many of these tanks are plastic, so leaks are uncommon.

 

[JGT010]

That doesn't sound right to me. I had a similar experience not quite as crazy as yours though. I went in for oil change and also wanted my tires rotated. I was told to do a fron end alignment too, so I agreed . After a few days my car had a funny sway sensation from the back and I also would hear a low clanging sound. I thought it was possibly my spare tire jack moving about. When I checked the trunk everything seemed fastened down. Well I took it to a shop that specializes in alignments. They told me this. The rear alignment was not done and should have, cause it was out of specs. Also there was a loose bolt that is associated with the rear alignment. This shop aligned the rear and even realigned the front again, cause it was still a tad off. They charged me 85 bucks nothing mentioned about needing an alignment bolt put in. Take your car to an alignment specialist. apparently all wheel suspensions are a bit more complicated for the average mechanic.

 

[mikedinthecity]

that squeak you hear in your 96 gp is the plastic one peice leaf spring, the rubber has come off on one of the outer ends of the spring, had it happen to me and cost like 35 dollars. the instructions say u have to removve the leaf spring to replace this rubber, i was like no, i jacked up the car, removed the wheel, took a jack with a board and placed it under the leaf spring, jacked up the spring enough to get the rubber under there and used the special glue( maybe some regular epoxy would work) put it in place and let the jack down, replaced the wheel, been a couple years and still in there. also if u do not get this fixed, that leaf spring will frey on the one end and it will break.

 

[00gpgtp]

hmmm...

i went into belle tire for an alignment about a year and a half ago after doing a suspension overhaul (agx struts, vogtland springs, tie rod ends, etc.) and they never said anything about camber bolts and my alignment was WAY out. It wouldnt drive straight and all the tires were squeeling the 3 mile drive.

Anyway, unless someone had something done to my car beforehand, i dont know of any special bolt you need to buy. Maybe if your lowered alot, but not for stock suspension. I think im lowered 1" or 1.5". cost me $75 for the alignment too.