Question about WRX SAI alignment angle

I had my MY03 WRX wagon aligned and the SAI secondary angle was measured
at 10.25/8.83 (left/right). The spec for SAI is 13.83 - 15.33. The
alignment guy said this is not adjustable but could be indicative of
mechanical damage. His advice was it was no problem and to ignore it. I
called one local Subaru dealer and the service manager didn't know what
SAI was. I called another dealer and the service guy (who at least knew
what I was talking about) also said don't worry about it.

I should add that all other alignment angles are in spec after the
alignment.

Does anyone who knows more about alignment and WRXs than I do have a
thought about whether SAI out of spec is something to be concerned about?

Thanks in advance,
Bob

From http://autorepair.about.com/cs/generalinfo/a/aa012201a_2.htm



Steering Axis Inclination (SAI):
The angle formed by a line that runs through the upper and lower steering
pivots with respect to vertical. On a SLA suspension, the line runs through
the upper and lower ball joints. On a MacPherson strut suspension, the line
runs through the lower ball joint and upper strut mount or bearing plate.
Viewed from the front, SAI is also the inward tilt of the steering axis.
Like caster, it provides directional stability. But it also reduces steering
effort by reducing the scrub radius. SAI is a built-in nonadjustable angle
and is used with camber and the included angle to diagnose bent spindles,
struts and mislocated crossmembers.



Like he said, not much you can do, unless it is a damaged strut, assuming
the MY03 has struts. Unless the edges of the tires are showing excessive
wear, I would not worry.



Blair

"Bob Lund" wrote in message

>I had my MY03 WRX wagon aligned and the SAI secondary angle was measured at
>10.25/8.83 (left/right). The spec for SAI is 13.83 - 15.33. The alignment
>guy said this is not adjustable but could be indicative of mechanical
>damage. His advice was it was no problem and to ignore it. I called one
>local Subaru dealer and the service manager didn't know what SAI was. I
>called another dealer and the service guy (who at least knew what I was
>talking about) also said don't worry about it.
>
> I should add that all other alignment angles are in spec after the
> alignment.
>
> Does anyone who knows more about alignment and WRXs than I do have a
> thought about whether SAI out of spec is something to be concerned about?
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Bob