I've got all my suspension parts, including H&R Sport V8 (29921) springs, Bilstein Sport shocks, ECS camber plates, and ECS 13mm spacers. This is for a UrS6 Avant. Normally, I would try to do this myself, but I'm a bit short of time and tools so I'm going to have a local wrench do it in the next couple of days.

I understand that a bit of cutting will be necessary to the strut towers to get the camber plates to fit. Unfortunately, ECS didn't include a sketch or anything, is it going to be really obvious? I dropped my rear shocks off at a machine shop to see if they could add a couple of sets of grooves; if so, I'll return the ECS spring perch spacers.

Apparantly the local "Tire Factory" just got a computer alignment setup, so I'll have to take it there for alignment (no other local options AFAIK). I hope they have a decent tech. Should I just have the mechanic doing the install eye-ball it first and drive it for a while first to allow things to settle? I was able to borrow the Bentley manual (page T 44-4) from another buddy and found the alignment specs (hadn't found these posted anywhere):

Front:
Camber -50' (+35', -25')
Total Toe +15' (+5', -10')

Rear:
Camber -15' (+15', -15')
Total Toe +10' (+10', -10')

So, it looks like Audi allows up to 75' (1.25 deg) negative camber up front, and 30' (0.5 deg) negative camber in the back. Would those be good specs to shoot for? This is for mostly highway miles, but some track days and aggressive mountain driving. I'm using stock tire sizes now, but will probably go up to 17" wheels for the next set of tires.

How about the toe? I'm thinking about 0.25 deg toe in up front, and 0 deg toe the back.

Any other tips or recommendations?

Thanks,

your spring installer loosen and lubricate all the alignement adjustment bits. This will make it easier for the alignment shop and they will be most likely to do a good job versus just getting the car into spec. Talk to the tech doing the alignment if possible - make sure he knows that you want the car perfect, not just close enough. Make sure he knows that the springs have been replaced and that he needs to pay extra attention to camber.

"Toe and go" will not cut it in this case.

<center><img src="http://worldsbeer.com/urs4/camberplate.jpg"></center><p>cpayne posted this picture a while back

On the alignment, I'd recommend making the drive into Portland to use a better shop. It's a super important thing and takes some experience to get the right specs. Telling an inexperienced shop with a new rack the specs from the Bently is just asking for a lousy handling car. The drive would work to settle the springs, just go slow and do it on tires you don't especially like.

I posted over on the PNW forum for alignment shop recommendations. If there's one that's open on Saturday, will try and go that route. The closest ones in Portland are going to be at least 45 minutes away, won't be able to get there during the week.

What camber/toe settings would you recommend?

they have been there for over 50 years and do it all old school :)

It was done at Omni here in Kirkland and it's never been right. Pulls slightly, eats front tires, hunts ruts, etc. I'm going into TruLine next week and can give you an idea then. But I'm guessing that's a little late for you.

at 94th and Aurora for 20 years and I have never had one complaint. They are really nice and will do it while you wait by appointment. 206-523-8529

Hey Rich, my car does the same thing and I hate it. Would be interested in the results on what you do to correct this.

Kevin

I use Hoover Wheel Alignment in Minneapolis - all old school - always right the first time. Only charge for what they do.

(Remember Tom Hoover's Showtime funnycar? Tom's the guy you hand your keys to!)

The computerized crap is a sales gimick - designed to be used by newbies. Measuring geometry is not rocket science - to a pro.

Both my cars behaved like that and I figured it was the nature of the beast with the older strut-type suspensions. But I recently had my urq aligned for the track by a local race shop (Fordahl) and the car is transformed.

Now I'm hoping someone can work the same magic on my street car. I'll let you know how it turns out.

have the expertise or the patience to do a correct alignment. I just took in my 1967 Riv after I rebuilt the front end. The tech put it on the rack 3 times, test driving it in between to make sure it was sweet and dead nuts on. You can really tell when you are "boating down the Interstate at 80"