Any alignment mechanics here?

[bkbenjy]

I have been doing alignments for about 2 months now. I am new to this.

I did an alignment today with a Launch x631. Before doing the alignment I did a sensor test via the computer. The computer informed me that the sensors will not give me an accurate camber reading, and needs to be serviced by a Launch technician.

Well the car had a toe problem. So I did the alignment anyway and adjusted the front and rear toe. Afterwords, I went and gave it a test drive and it was way off.

If I had adjusted the camber beforehand would I have gotten a different toe reading?

 

[SLCraig]

You will definitely change your toe reading by adjusting camber, if that is what you are asking.

I recently did a home brew alignment and it took me a while to get it fairly straight, but adjust the camber slightly, affect the toe greatly.

 

[Techniker]

Originally Posted By: SLCraig
You will definitely change your toe reading by adjusting camber, if that is what you are asking.

I recently did a home brew alignment and it took me a while to get it fairly straight, but adjust the camber slightly, affect the toe greatly.


Indeed. It kind of multiplies.

-Techniker

 

[Techniker]

By the way, what were you using to align the Launch? Was it a Hunter alignment rack? If so, I have never seen this warning before.

 

[bmwtechguy]

i think the machine is a Launch.

 

[Techniker]

Originally Posted By: bmwtechguy
i think the machine is a Launch.


Well, that's extremely embarrassing. I have actually never seen any alignment rack other than a Hunter so it never even occurred to me that there was more than one manufacturer. Come to think of it, I had never even heard of a vehicle named a "Launch" before. I figured it was some foreign-made vehicle.

I think I am going to go crawl under a rock now...

 

[mechtech2]

You gave it a test drive and WHAT was off?
The toe?
It should have remained the same. Exactly the same.
There must be loose parts in the suspension.

The camber may indeed be off, but there should be no changes to any settings unless parts are loose.

 

[brianl703]

Maybe the same problem that is preventing the sensors from giving you a correct camber reading is also keeping them from giving you a correct toe reading.

It may be that the diagnostic routine built into the alignment machine stops as soon as it detects a problem with the sensors, and it hadn't yet gotten to the point where it tests whether the sensors can give you a correct toe reading.

Most diagnostic routines are like this, actually. Your PC isn't going to get to the point where it tests if the keyboard is connected if the memory test fails, for example.

 

[mechanicx]

Your camber could be out of spec while you have the toe adjusted correctly. Adjusting camber will alter toe so toe is always set last. I'm sure you know that, but no it is not necessary to adjust the camber to get the toe in spec.