Alignment shops & shimming a beam

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11-02-2009, 02:45 PM
Vandit

Alignment shops & shimming a beam

So my car hasn't been alignment since 2003 so I'm thinking it's time to make sure it's still pointed straight. What are some good shops to do an out-of-spec alignment (obviously lol) and where I don't have to drive my lowered car up a massive rig that wants to tear off my front bumper.

Another question is regarding rear beam shimming. In the past I've been okay w/ a two-wheel alignment using crash bolts but I think I want to play with the rear wheel specs too usng some shims such as SPC EZ Shims.

Do any of you have experience shimming suspension and/or know of a shop that is familiar with that process.

Thank you.
11-02-2009, 03:06 PM
jeff_man

Talk to AJ, will do the best miata alignment you can ask for at what ever spec you want.

http://forums.dfwmiata.com/member.php?u=165
11-02-2009, 03:08 PM
POS Racing

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vandit

Another question is regarding rear beam shimming.

Do any of you have experience shimming suspension and/or know of a shop that is familiar with that process.

Thank you.

I take it your not trying to align a Miata?? :confused:
11-02-2009, 03:14 PM
Vandit

No, it's a Toyota Matrix actually. :(

Does AJ only do Miatas?
11-02-2009, 03:23 PM
goofygrin

no AJ does everything. Did the Yaaaaris ;)
11-02-2009, 04:22 PM
POS Racing

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vandit

No, it's a Toyota Matrix actually. :(

Sorry, I swore this was a Miata forum.

;)
11-02-2009, 05:10 PM
Miatamoto

AJ, did Cosmos's Elise alignment which uses shims. I'm sure he'll have no problem with anything you can throw at him. He does a great job so don't forget to tip him accordingly.
11-02-2009, 06:27 PM
jeff_man

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miatamoto

tip him accordingly.

he like it when you kiss with tongue
11-02-2009, 06:47 PM
ken o

AJ has aligned my, M3, 911, Z06, Elise, Lotus 7, Mini, Miata 1, Miata 2, Miata 3...
11-02-2009, 11:48 PM
Vandit

I've got a follow-up question for some of you really smart suspension guys. Hear me out and let me know what you think.

These shims are what it's going to take to get any adjustability in the rear of my car
http://www.spcalignment.com/ezshim/
http://gti-vr6.net/library/suspension/inst_rear_shims/

Once you get the baseline alignment #s, you figure what #s you want to settle on, then come and plug them all into this online app.
http://www.spcalignment.com/ezshim/application/
and it'll tell you where you need to set the shims in order to achieve the desired specs.

Here's the deal tho, and here's where I want opinions. The specs it gives on this app are based on the stock ride height, meaning that's where the top of the hub is situated relation to the placement of the shim. BUT my car is dropped by about 1.5-2"s in the back. It's a trailing arm beam type of setup.

The amount of compensation dialed in by the shim is based off of the shim pointed to the top (relating to the ground, not the hub) in its set position when the car is at its normal ride height (regardless of what ride height that is).

So, do you guys think the shift from the stock ride height to my current ride height is enough to rotate the hub placement forward (clockwise passenger side, counter drivers side) enough that it would require rotation of the shim towards the back (clockwise on drivers, counter on passenger) to compensate for the hub rotation in order to achieve the desired alignment #s?

Or do you think the rotation due to different ride height would be minimal and not require compensation on shim placement?