Hi,
My '82 Diesel Sedan continually drifts to the right. The FSM states that the only adjustment is toe. I think that alignment shops increase caster slightly on the RH side to compensate for road crown, but if caster is non-adjustable how does one restore a car to track straight?
Tires are Bridgestone Potenza RE900, 15,000 miles, worn evenly.
No apparent accident damage.
Need to measure/compare the ride height of the L/R sides, think I remember the left side 1" higher.
Alignment/Car Drifts to Right
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- asavage
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Camber is non-adjustable (via factory-supplied methods), but caster is. You use the "tension rods" that run from the front crossmember to the lower control arms. See Pg FA-5 in the 1982 FSM, and a better picture is SFA276 on pg. FA-9.
Camber can be adjusted slightly by ovalling the upper strut mount holes. But in general camber doesn't change much and most alignment shops won't go to the bother unless it's way off, and then only for an add'l charge.
However, for pulling issues, always swap the front tires from side to side and retest, prior to doing anything else. I used to work in a shop that performed alignments, and in about half (!) the cases of pull, it was the tires. No obvious sign in most cases, but you swap tires and the pull would often follow the tires. Give it a go first.
Camber can be adjusted slightly by ovalling the upper strut mount holes. But in general camber doesn't change much and most alignment shops won't go to the bother unless it's way off, and then only for an add'l charge.
However, for pulling issues, always swap the front tires from side to side and retest, prior to doing anything else. I used to work in a shop that performed alignments, and in about half (!) the cases of pull, it was the tires. No obvious sign in most cases, but you swap tires and the pull would often follow the tires. Give it a go first.
Regards,
Al S.
1982 Maxima diesel wagon, 2nd & 4th owner, 165k miles, rusty & burgundy/grey. Purchased 1996, SOLD 16Feb10
1983 Maxima diesel wagon, 199k miles, rusty, light yellow/light brown. SOLD 14Jul07
1981 720 SD22 (scrapped 04Sep07)
1983 Sentra CD17, 255k, bought 06Jul08, gave it away 22Jun10.
Al S.
1982 Maxima diesel wagon, 2nd & 4th owner, 165k miles, rusty & burgundy/grey. Purchased 1996, SOLD 16Feb10
1983 Maxima diesel wagon, 199k miles, rusty, light yellow/light brown. SOLD 14Jul07
1981 720 SD22 (scrapped 04Sep07)
1983 Sentra CD17, 255k, bought 06Jul08, gave it away 22Jun10.
- asavage
- Site Admin
- Posts: 5435
- Joined: 18 years ago
- Location: Oak Harbor, Wash.
- Has thanked: 1 time
- Contact:
Periodic alignment is a Good Idea, but yours was drifting due to some tire anomoly. As I mentioned, it's not uncommon. I recommend budgeting for a pair of tires, as the usual implication of tire pull is a damaged cord or cord separation, and it does sometimes get worse. If you budget for a pair of tires, at least you'll be prepared if it gets a lot worse in a hurry.
Alignment is most effective for curing abnormal tire wear. Pulling or drifting is usually worn out suspension parts or tires (unless someone's been in there and has the alignment way off, or the car's been hit or something). That's just what I've seen, anyway.
Alignment is most effective for curing abnormal tire wear. Pulling or drifting is usually worn out suspension parts or tires (unless someone's been in there and has the alignment way off, or the car's been hit or something). That's just what I've seen, anyway.
Regards,
Al S.
1982 Maxima diesel wagon, 2nd & 4th owner, 165k miles, rusty & burgundy/grey. Purchased 1996, SOLD 16Feb10
1983 Maxima diesel wagon, 199k miles, rusty, light yellow/light brown. SOLD 14Jul07
1981 720 SD22 (scrapped 04Sep07)
1983 Sentra CD17, 255k, bought 06Jul08, gave it away 22Jun10.
Al S.
1982 Maxima diesel wagon, 2nd & 4th owner, 165k miles, rusty & burgundy/grey. Purchased 1996, SOLD 16Feb10
1983 Maxima diesel wagon, 199k miles, rusty, light yellow/light brown. SOLD 14Jul07
1981 720 SD22 (scrapped 04Sep07)
1983 Sentra CD17, 255k, bought 06Jul08, gave it away 22Jun10.
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