mtxsho93

I dropped my car off for an alignment last night and just picked it up. The shop can't physically perform the alignment because the tech can't get his hands and tools between the wheel, the fender and all of the other stuff that's in the way to adjust my Stern upper adjustable control arms. This was actually a concern of mine before I purchased the Stern control arms but I was assured that there would be plenty of space.

Has anyone else run into this problem before?

For reference, I have 245 tires on an 8.5" rim. I just finished installing Bilstein HD's, the Eibach springs that were already on the car and the Stern arms. I'm wondering if I had the factory rims if there would be more space to align the car.

The only thing I can think of is finding a shop that can perform the alignment without the wheels mounted. I understand that this is rare as most alignment racks use wheel mounted sensors.

The only Audi specialist in the area that I'm aware of is AWE and they are over an hour away. Winner Audi in DE is pretty close to me but they may have the same problem that I just ran into.

The car is an 02 A6, 2.7T.

I'm looking for others' experiences, feedback and/or ideas.

Thanks,
Ian

ezveedub

AFAIK, the tech needs to perform a raised axle alignment adjustment. This is where the machine locks the alignment values when it was on the ground and sets them back up when you raise the vehicle up to perform adjustments. They cannot allow the front wheels to leave the turn plates though when raising the vehicle up, as it will loose the Caster & SAI values. Its sound complicated, but you need to ask the person working on your car if they know how to perform this alignment job first. I know the Hunter alignment machines has this setting, but it depends on what series/model they are actually using.

mtxsho93

That's a great help, thanks. The rack at the shop was a Visualiner; I don't think they could have done this there.

Ian

2.7Lturbo

take your car to a real shop, problem solved

mtxsho93

Well, the second shop said they had a Hunter rack capable of doing a raised axle alignment when I called on the phone. When I got there, the tech said that it wasn't possible. It was another Visualiner. He said their rack sucked (in different words) but he referred me to a Jeep/Eagle/Chrysler dealer up the road where he used to work. He said that they have a very nice Hunter that can do the raised axle alignment.

So...that's tomorrow's task. Will update this thread once I have more info to add.

Thanks!
Ian

MikekiM@PureMS

Find a better alignment shop.
You don't adjust the control arms by reaching between the wheel and fender. You reach the control arms from behind the wheel, when you're under the car.

mtxsho93

Solid Copy - I know that and I hope the alignment guy I talked to this AM knew that as well. I had to take his word on clearances as I've never seen my car from below with the suspension loaded and the wheels mounted. In retrospect I should've asked to see it on the rack.

Ian