Alignment question?

frank RemoveThis @gmail.com wrote:

> Sorry, I meant to say:
>
> On the camber for the specification for the rear wheels is + .03 to - 2.3.
> So if you had it aligned and the camber measurement came it at + .4, would
> you expect the tech to set it to
> the specification's midpoint? Firestone told me if it's in spec, they are
> taught not to adjust it. They also said the adjustment from .3 to mid
> point is very small. Agree/disagree?
>
> The reason I ask is that I'm going thru tires in 25 K miles and I want my
> car aligned as good as it can be.
>
> FYI it's 2003 ZTS
>
> Thanks,
>
> Frank

I'm in the UK, where we don't normally swap tyres around, and tyre wear
rates are high due to the nature of our roads. My experience may be
different to the US. However, front tyres on my Focus can be worn out in as
little as 10K miles, and rears in 25K.

If you are rotating your tyres when part-worn, and getting 25K miles from a
set of four, that's pretty good by my standards!

Chris

--
Remove prejudice to reply.
 >> Stay informed about: Alignment question? 

Depends on what tires you purchase. When my tires needed replacing I bought
Bridgestone Potenza G009. Check tirerack.com, they received excellent
ratings, and I love them too. Also spend the money and find a shop that
uses a Bear Robotic Alignment machine, or any newer model Bear. They're the
best machines IMHO.

If that doesn't make a difference the roads where you live are swiss cheese
and you're SOL.


"Chris Whelan" <cawhelan.RemoveThis@prejudicentlworld.com> wrote in message
news:GA%Ij.37001$Ge4.24770@newsfe1-win.ntli.net...
> frank.RemoveThis@gmail.com wrote:
>
>> Sorry, I meant to say:
>>
>> On the camber for the specification for the rear wheels is + .03 to -
>> 2.3.
>> So if you had it aligned and the camber measurement came it at + .4,
>> would
>> you expect the tech to set it to
>> the specification's midpoint? Firestone told me if it's in spec, they
>> are
>> taught not to adjust it. They also said the adjustment from .3 to mid
>> point is very small. Agree/disagree?
>>
>> The reason I ask is that I'm going thru tires in 25 K miles and I want
>> my
>> car aligned as good as it can be.
>>
>> FYI it's 2003 ZTS
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Frank
>
> I'm in the UK, where we don't normally swap tyres around, and tyre wear
> rates are high due to the nature of our roads. My experience may be
> different to the US. However, front tyres on my Focus can be worn out in
> as
> little as 10K miles, and rears in 25K.
>
> If you are rotating your tyres when part-worn, and getting 25K miles from
> a
> set of four, that's pretty good by my standards!
>
> Chris
>
> --
> Remove prejudice to reply.
 >> Stay informed about: Alignment question? 

<Top posting corrected>

> "Chris Whelan" <cawhelan.DeleteThis@prejudicentlworld.com> wrote in message
> news:GA%Ij.37001$Ge4.24770@newsfe1-win.ntli.net...
>> frank.DeleteThis@gmail.com wrote:
>>
>>> Sorry, I meant to say:
>>>
>>> On the camber for the specification for the rear wheels is + .03 to -
>>> 2.3.
>>> So if you had it aligned and the camber measurement came it at + .4,
>>> would
>>> you expect the tech to set it to
>>> the specification's midpoint? Firestone told me if it's in spec, they
>>> are
>>> taught not to adjust it. They also said the adjustment from .3 to mid
>>> point is very small. Agree/disagree?
>>>
>>> The reason I ask is that I'm going thru tires in 25 K miles and I want
>>> my
>>> car aligned as good as it can be.
>>>
>>> FYI it's 2003 ZTS
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>>
>>> Frank
>>
>> I'm in the UK, where we don't normally swap tyres around, and tyre wear
>> rates are high due to the nature of our roads. My experience may be
>> different to the US. However, front tyres on my Focus can be worn out in
>> as
>> little as 10K miles, and rears in 25K.
>>
>> If you are rotating your tyres when part-worn, and getting 25K miles from
>> a
>> set of four, that's pretty good by my standards!
>>
>> Chris

K2NNJ wrote:

> Depends on what tires you purchase. When my tires needed replacing I
> bought
> Bridgestone Potenza G009. Check tirerack.com, they received excellent
> ratings, and I love them too. Also spend the money and find a shop that
> uses a Bear Robotic Alignment machine, or any newer model Bear. They're
> the best machines IMHO.

From the post you are replying to:

"I'm in the UK"

The tyres, and tyre alignment machines that are available in the US will not
be the same as used in the rest of the world. Even tyres of the same make
and type will use different compounds in their construction.

IME, the quality of alignment has much more to do with the standard of the
operative than the type of equipment used.

> If that doesn't make a difference the roads where you live are swiss
> cheese

I'm assuming you have never driven in Europe?

Tyre wear will generally be much higher here mainly due to the much higher
traffic volumes (meaning lots more stopping and starting), and the numerous
bends. Have a look on Google Earth at some of the roads in Cumbria (UK)!

> and you're SOL.

Quite possibly. WTF does it mean?

Chris

--
Remove prejudice to reply.
 >> Stay informed about: Alignment question? 

"Chris Whelan" <cawhelan.RemoveThis@prejudicentlworld.com> wrote in message
news:GA%Ij.37001$Ge4.24770@newsfe1-win.ntli.net...
> frank.RemoveThis@gmail.com wrote:
>
>> Sorry, I meant to say:
>>
>> On the camber for the specification for the rear wheels is + .03 to -
>> 2.3.
>> So if you had it aligned and the camber measurement came it at + .4,
>> would
>> you expect the tech to set it to
>> the specification's midpoint? Firestone told me if it's in spec, they
>> are
>> taught not to adjust it. They also said the adjustment from .3 to mid
>> point is very small. Agree/disagree?
>>
>> The reason I ask is that I'm going thru tires in 25 K miles and I want
>> my
>> car aligned as good as it can be.
>>
>> FYI it's 2003 ZTS
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Frank
>
> I'm in the UK, where we don't normally swap tyres around, and tyre wear
> rates are high due to the nature of our roads. My experience may be
> different to the US. However, front tyres on my Focus can be worn out in
> as
> little as 10K miles, and rears in 25K.
>
> If you are rotating your tyres when part-worn, and getting 25K miles from
> a
> set of four, that's pretty good by my standards!

I used to rotate the tyres on my Focus front - back once at about 12k miles,
and regularly got 25k out of them. I was using Pirelli P6000's at the time.

Tim..
 >> Stay informed about: Alignment question? 

Tim.. wrote:

>
> "Chris Whelan" <cawhelan.DeleteThis@prejudicentlworld.com> wrote in message
> news:GA%Ij.37001$Ge4.24770@newsfe1-win.ntli.net...
>> frank.DeleteThis@gmail.com wrote:
>>
>>> Sorry, I meant to say:
>>>
>>> On the camber for the specification for the rear wheels is + .03 to -
>>> 2.3.
>>> So if you had it aligned and the camber measurement came it at + .4,
>>> would
>>> you expect the tech to set it to
>>> the specification's midpoint? Firestone told me if it's in spec, they
>>> are
>>> taught not to adjust it. They also said the adjustment from .3 to mid
>>> point is very small. Agree/disagree?
>>>
>>> The reason I ask is that I'm going thru tires in 25 K miles and I want
>>> my
>>> car aligned as good as it can be.
>>>
>>> FYI it's 2003 ZTS
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>>
>>> Frank
>>
>> I'm in the UK, where we don't normally swap tyres around, and tyre wear
>> rates are high due to the nature of our roads. My experience may be
>> different to the US. However, front tyres on my Focus can be worn out in
>> as
>> little as 10K miles, and rears in 25K.
>>
>> If you are rotating your tyres when part-worn, and getting 25K miles from
>> a
>> set of four, that's pretty good by my standards!
>
> I used to rotate the tyres on my Focus front - back once at about 12k
> miles, and regularly got 25k out of them. I was using Pirelli P6000's at
> the time.
>
> Tim..

By 12K, the fronts on mine would be below 3mm. That's the lowest I will go.

I've used Continental Eco-Contacts, apart from one one set of NCT5's that I
hated. The wear pattern is always pretty even; I get the tracking checked
every other tyre change, and it's only needed one very small correction in
the life of the car. (1999.)

I do live in an area with a *lot* of roundabouts, and I like to exploit the
handling of the Focus, so I'm not too upset!

Chris

--
Remove prejudice to reply.
 >> Stay informed about: Alignment question? 

Tim.. wrote:

>
> "Chris Whelan" <cawhelan RemoveThis @prejudicentlworld.com> wrote in message
> news:GA%Ij.37001$Ge4.24770@newsfe1-win.ntli.net...
>> frank RemoveThis @gmail.com wrote:
>>
>>> Sorry, I meant to say:
>>>
>>> On the camber for the specification for the rear wheels is + .03 to -
>>> 2.3.
>>> So if you had it aligned and the camber measurement came it at + .4,
>>> would
>>> you expect the tech to set it to
>>> the specification's midpoint? Firestone told me if it's in spec, they
>>> are
>>> taught not to adjust it. They also said the adjustment from .3 to mid
>>> point is very small. Agree/disagree?
>>>
>>> The reason I ask is that I'm going thru tires in 25 K miles and I want
>>> my
>>> car aligned as good as it can be.
>>>
>>> FYI it's 2003 ZTS
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>>
>>> Frank
>>
>> I'm in the UK, where we don't normally swap tyres around, and tyre wear
>> rates are high due to the nature of our roads. My experience may be
>> different to the US. However, front tyres on my Focus can be worn out in
>> as
>> little as 10K miles, and rears in 25K.
>>
>> If you are rotating your tyres when part-worn, and getting 25K miles from
>> a
>> set of four, that's pretty good by my standards!
>
> I used to rotate the tyres on my Focus front - back once at about 12k
> miles, and regularly got 25k out of them. I was using Pirelli P6000's at
> the time.
>
> Tim..

By 12K, the fronts on mine would be below 3mm. That's the lowest I will go.

I've used Continental Eco-Contacts, apart from one one set of NCT5's that I
hated. The wear pattern is always pretty even; I get the tracking checked
every other tyre change, and it's only needed one very small correction in
the life of the car. (1999.)

I do live in an area with a *lot* of roundabouts, and I like to exploit the
handling of the Focus, so I'm not too upset!

Chris

--
Remove prejudice to reply.
 >> Stay informed about: Alignment question? 

"Chris Whelan" <cawhelan.TakeThisOut@prejudicentlworld.com> wrote in message
news:JNlJj.20951$4f4.19024@newsfe6-win.ntli.net...
> Tim.. wrote:
>
>>
>> "Chris Whelan" <cawhelan.TakeThisOut@prejudicentlworld.com> wrote in message
>> news:GA%Ij.37001$Ge4.24770@newsfe1-win.ntli.net...
>>> frank.TakeThisOut@gmail.com wrote:
>>>
>>>> Sorry, I meant to say:
>>>>
>>>> On the camber for the specification for the rear wheels is + .03 to -
>>>> 2.3.
>>>> So if you had it aligned and the camber measurement came it at + .4,
>>>> would
>>>> you expect the tech to set it to
>>>> the specification's midpoint? Firestone told me if it's in spec, they
>>>> are
>>>> taught not to adjust it. They also said the adjustment from .3 to mid
>>>> point is very small. Agree/disagree?
>>>>
>>>> The reason I ask is that I'm going thru tires in 25 K miles and I want
>>>> my
>>>> car aligned as good as it can be.
>>>>
>>>> FYI it's 2003 ZTS
>>>>
>>>> Thanks,
>>>>
>>>> Frank
>>>
>>> I'm in the UK, where we don't normally swap tyres around, and tyre wear
>>> rates are high due to the nature of our roads. My experience may be
>>> different to the US. However, front tyres on my Focus can be worn out in
>>> as
>>> little as 10K miles, and rears in 25K.
>>>
>>> If you are rotating your tyres when part-worn, and getting 25K miles
>>> from
>>> a
>>> set of four, that's pretty good by my standards!
>>
>> I used to rotate the tyres on my Focus front - back once at about 12k
>> miles, and regularly got 25k out of them. I was using Pirelli P6000's at
>> the time.
>>
>> Tim..
>
> By 12K, the fronts on mine would be below 3mm. That's the lowest I will
> go.
>
> I've used Continental Eco-Contacts, apart from one one set of NCT5's that
> I
> hated. The wear pattern is always pretty even; I get the tracking checked
> every other tyre change, and it's only needed one very small correction in
> the life of the car. (1999.)
>
> I do live in an area with a *lot* of roundabouts, and I like to exploit
> the
> handling of the Focus, so I'm not too upset!


Not many round-abouts "around" here!

Tim..
 >> Stay informed about: Alignment question? 

Chris Whelan wrote:
> <Top posting corrected>
>
>> "Chris Whelan" <cawhelan.RemoveThis@prejudicentlworld.com> wrote in message
>> news:GA%Ij.37001$Ge4.24770@newsfe1-win.ntli.net...
>>> frank.RemoveThis@gmail.com wrote:
>>>
>>>> Sorry, I meant to say:
>>>>
>>>> On the camber for the specification for the rear wheels is + .03 to -
>>>> 2.3.
>>>> So if you had it aligned and the camber measurement came it at + .4,
>>>> would
>>>> you expect the tech to set it to
>>>> the specification's midpoint? Firestone told me if it's in spec, they
>>>> are
>>>> taught not to adjust it. They also said the adjustment from .3 to mid
>>>> point is very small. Agree/disagree?
>>>>
>>>> The reason I ask is that I'm going thru tires in 25 K miles and I want
>>>> my
>>>> car aligned as good as it can be.
>>>>
>>>> FYI it's 2003 ZTS
>>>>
>>>> Thanks,
>>>>
>>>> Frank
>>> I'm in the UK, where we don't normally swap tyres around, and tyre wear
>>> rates are high due to the nature of our roads. My experience may be
>>> different to the US. However, front tyres on my Focus can be worn out in
>>> as
>>> little as 10K miles, and rears in 25K.
>>>
>>> If you are rotating your tyres when part-worn, and getting 25K miles from
>>> a
>>> set of four, that's pretty good by my standards!
>>>
>>> Chris
>
> K2NNJ wrote:
>
>> Depends on what tires you purchase. When my tires needed replacing I
>> bought
>> Bridgestone Potenza G009. Check tirerack.com, they received excellent
>> ratings, and I love them too. Also spend the money and find a shop that
>> uses a Bear Robotic Alignment machine, or any newer model Bear. They're
>> the best machines IMHO.
>
> From the post you are replying to:
>
> "I'm in the UK"
>
> The tyres, and tyre alignment machines that are available in the US will not
> be the same as used in the rest of the world. Even tyres of the same make
> and type will use different compounds in their construction.
>
> IME, the quality of alignment has much more to do with the standard of the
> operative than the type of equipment used.
>
>> If that doesn't make a difference the roads where you live are swiss
>> cheese
>
> I'm assuming you have never driven in Europe?
>
> Tyre wear will generally be much higher here mainly due to the much higher
> traffic volumes (meaning lots more stopping and starting), and the numerous
> bends. Have a look on Google Earth at some of the roads in Cumbria (UK)!
>
>> and you're SOL.
>
> Quite possibly. WTF does it mean?
>
> Chris
>
SOL: Sh** Out of Luck
 >> Stay informed about: Alignment question? 

> On the camber for the specification for the rear wheels is + .03 to -
> 2.3. So if you had it aligned and the camber measurement came it at + .4,
> would you expect the tech to set it to the specification's midpoint? Firestone told me if
> it's in spec, they are taught not to adjust it. They also said the adjustment from .3 to
> mid point is very small. Agree/disagree?
>
> FYI it's 2003 ZTS

> Thanks,
>
> Frank

I appreciate the responses. However, noww that I have all kinds of advice
on tires, anyone able to address the questions on the the alignment?

Thanks,

Frank


--
--------------------------------- --- -- -
Posted with NewsLeecher v3.9 Beta 2
Web @ http://www.newsleecher.com/?usenet
------------------- ----- ---- -- -
 >> Stay informed about: Alignment question? 

Are you looking for someone to align your wheels even though a tech has told
you you don't need to?

I wouldn't think that we be hard as you as you're willing to pay for it. It
sounds like your nitpicking.

If the wheels are aligned I would "focus" on the tires you're buying and the
roads you are traveling on. But you only have control of one of those.


<frank RemoveThis @gmail.com> wrote in message
news:033748e8$0$14498$c3e8da3@news.astraweb.com...
>> On the camber for the specification for the rear wheels is + .03 to -
>> 2.3. So if you had it aligned and the camber measurement came it at +
>> .4,
>> would you expect the tech to set it to the specification's midpoint?
>> Firestone told me if
>> it's in spec, they are taught not to adjust it. They also said the
>> adjustment from .3 to
>> mid point is very small. Agree/disagree?
>>
>> FYI it's 2003 ZTS
>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Frank
>
> I appreciate the responses. However, noww that I have all kinds of advice
> on tires, anyone able to address the questions on the the alignment?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Frank
>
>
> --
> --------------------------------- --- -- -
> Posted with NewsLeecher v3.9 Beta 2
> Web @ http://www.newsleecher.com/?usenet
> ------------------- ----- ---- -- -
>
 >> Stay informed about: Alignment question? 

>Are you looking for someone to align your wheels even though a tech has told
>you you don't need to?

No, I was hoping someone with the expertise could confirm if the tech was correct.

>I wouldn't think that we be hard as you as you're willing to pay for it. It
>sounds like your nitpicking.

With all due respect, I'm not interested in opinions

>If the wheels are aligned I would "focus" on the tires you're buying and the
>roads you are traveling on. But you only have control of one of those.

I have on my 3rd set of tires now with all 3 being a different brand. Tires for the Focus
are not cheap. Seems reasonable to me to seek advice from someone who has the expertise to
answer. Thanks for your reply though.


<frank.TakeThisOut@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:033748e8$0$14498$c3e8da3@news.astraweb.com...
>> On the camber for the specification for the rear wheels is + .03 to -
>> 2.3. So if you had it aligned and the camber measurement came it at +
>> .4,
>> would you expect the tech to set it to the specification's midpoint?
>> Firestone told me if
>> it's in spec, they are taught not to adjust it. They also said the
>> adjustment from .3 to
>> mid point is very small. Agree/disagree?
>>
>> FYI it's 2003 ZTS
>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Frank
>
> I appreciate the responses. However, noww that I have all kinds of advice
> on tires, anyone able to address the questions on the the alignment?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Frank
>
>
> --
> --------------------------------- --- -- -
> Posted with NewsLeecher v3.9 Beta 2
> Web @ http://www.newsleecher.com/?usenet
> ------------------- ----- ---- -- -
>




--
--------------------------------- --- -- -
Posted with NewsLeecher v3.9 Beta 2
Web @ http://www.newsleecher.com/?usenet
------------------- ----- ---- -- -
 >> Stay informed about: Alignment question? 

Newsgroups are almost always opinions. How many techs have you gone to?

If you've gone through that many tires, I would investigate other areas like
the suspension, steering everything. Sounds like a there is something wrong
with the car physically other than alignment.


<frank.RemoveThis@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:47f6e6f1$0$17494$c3e8da3@news.astraweb.com...
> >Are you looking for someone to align your wheels even though a tech has
> >told
>>you you don't need to?
>
> No, I was hoping someone with the expertise could confirm if the tech was
> correct.
>
>>I wouldn't think that we be hard as you as you're willing to pay for it.
>>It
>>sounds like your nitpicking.
>
> With all due respect, I'm not interested in opinions
>
>>If the wheels are aligned I would "focus" on the tires you're buying and
>>the
>>roads you are traveling on. But you only have control of one of those.
>
> I have on my 3rd set of tires now with all 3 being a different brand.
> Tires for the Focus
> are not cheap. Seems reasonable to me to seek advice from someone who has
> the expertise to
> answer. Thanks for your reply though.
>
>
> <frank.RemoveThis@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:033748e8$0$14498$c3e8da3@news.astraweb.com...
>>> On the camber for the specification for the rear wheels is + .03 to -
>>> 2.3. So if you had it aligned and the camber measurement came it at +
>>> .4,
>>> would you expect the tech to set it to the specification's midpoint?
>>> Firestone told me if
>>> it's in spec, they are taught not to adjust it. They also said the
>>> adjustment from .3 to
>>> mid point is very small. Agree/disagree?
>>>
>>> FYI it's 2003 ZTS
>>
>>> Thanks,
>>>
>>> Frank
>>
>> I appreciate the responses. However, noww that I have all kinds of advice
>> on tires, anyone able to address the questions on the the alignment?
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Frank
>>
>>
>> --
>> --------------------------------- --- -- -
>> Posted with NewsLeecher v3.9 Beta 2
>> Web @ http://www.newsleecher.com/?usenet
>> ------------------- ----- ---- -- -
>>
>
>
>
>
> --
> --------------------------------- --- -- -
> Posted with NewsLeecher v3.9 Beta 2
> Web @ http://www.newsleecher.com/?usenet
> ------------------- ----- ---- -- -
>
 >> Stay informed about: Alignment question? 

frank.TakeThisOut@gmail.com wrote:

>> On the camber for the specification for the rear wheels is + .03 to -
>> 2.3. So if you had it aligned and the camber measurement came it at +
>> .4,
>> would you expect the tech to set it to the specification's midpoint?
>> Firestone told me if
>> it's in spec, they are taught not to adjust it. They also said the
>> adjustment from .3 to mid point is very small. Agree/disagree?
>>
>> FYI it's 2003 ZTS
>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Frank
>
> I appreciate the responses. However, noww that I have all kinds of advice
> on tires, anyone able to address the questions on the the alignment?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Frank

If the alignment is within the maker's specification, then it's not the
cause of what you perceive as excessive tyre wear. It would have to be a
long way from spec to significantly affect tyre wear, and if that was the
case the wear pattern would show the problem.

Bear in mind that the Focus is a road car, and all the suspension mountings
have to be capable of absorbing road shock. To this end, the bushes and
bearings are flexible. There has to be a range of acceptable settings
because the same car may not settle to exactly the same position each time
it is tested. That's why, when road cars are adapted for competition
purposes, one of the modifications is to replace all the suspension bushes
with much less compliant ones.

WRT the replies on tyres, I think this was to try to reassure you that your
tyre wear is not perhaps really excessive. The Focus is a small car, at
least by US standards, with relatively small wheels. It also has terrific
roadholding and handling. These factors are bound to have a payoff in
increased tyre costs.

HTH

Chris

--
Remove prejudice to reply.
 >> Stay informed about: Alignment question?