I have been looking for a place which can check the body alignment of my Z. We've had a full laser 4 wheel alignment done after the installation of a new HICAS bit. But the camber on one of the wheels is a tad (more than a gnat's but less than a lot) out.

 

So we need to check the chassis alignment. I've been told I need to find a digital measuring jig (to be found at a big modern bodyshop) but tracking one of these down is not easy.

 

The local Nelson gave me their three bodyshops but not one of them could do this. NMGB had no list / no idea / no interest.

 

My local corrugated iron & portakabin bodyshop said "yes we'll do it on our jig to within 2mm" but there didn't seem to be a laser in sight.

 

A big bodyshop said "yes we can do it on our jig but we'll need to drop the suspension to get to the turrets - so that'll be £400 - £500 for starters".

 

The merry boys at FG in Nottingham were v helpful and said that if it didn't wear tyres off centre and if it didn't pull, then there's probably nothing wrong - are you sure the wheel alignment machine was used properly?" (good point, there).

 

But I am a nitpicker (no, really?) so if there is a way to find one of these computerised jig laser jobbies, I would be very grateful. It would be nice to eliminate this before I try to get the wheel alignment perfect.

 

TIA - Gio

 

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Gio, you running lowered suspension and larger wheels at all ??

This effects the Camber and can only be adjusted certain amount, with the aid of camber adjustment kits will help greatly.

smithy:ccol:

Hi Smithy,

 

no m8 - it's all bog stock. The original reason for going down this route was my front tyres were wearing on the inside before the outside. Still getting good mileage so not a major problem - just nit-picky.

 

I was going to get a set of camber correcting plates (like jvn and that dutch bloke whose name escapes me) but thought I'd better just check base alignment beforehand.

 

Replaced HICAS arm which needed a full wheel alignment - so did that and that's where this thread starts!

 

If there is an underlying reason for the slight mis-alignment, I'd prefer to track it down (if poss) and fix before applying the sticking plaster of camber kits.

 

(unless, of course, fitting clear side repeaters has disturbed the suspension )

 

Thanks - Gio

Gio - I'm trying to find somewhere to do this also.

 

Neil posted his experience of a place in South Yorkshire(nowhere near me ):

http://www.300zx.co.uk/forums/ubbforum/Forum6/HTML/001214.html

 

No mention of laser alignment however.

 

I did find one place near london - but they remove the wings,lights,bumper,bonnet etc to align the body - costing big bucks

 

Trev

You should really take parts down to get the chassis to test it. Hence jig chassis. You cant line up with body parts because they get bent and stuff.

I would get worried about any one whos says they can test the chassis with out having to get down to the chassis.

 

Stuart

 

 

There's a couple of places near me (North West) that can do this - Alan Jenkins being one. I went through the same Hicas transplant recently but I'd also bent the lower wishbone double :-(. Problem is they'll charge £150 or more just to set it up on the jig - then they'll probably tell you it was some ridiculously small amount out to justify it.

 

I had mine checked by a geezer who works from a farm while he was replacing all my bent bits. He used something he called a 'porta power' - dunno how he did it but it's back to driving straight and that's all I care about - cost me next to b*gger all too..

 

Cheers!

 

RobH

I was under the impression from reading previous articles and having my sterign geometry checked, that Nissan set the front and rear geometry to slightly negative camber to aid cornering. As far I am aware the tyres will wear slightly faster on the inner edge due to this. Therefore it is not a problem it is a standard and correct setting of the car. I had my geometry check done by Jeff Folkes in Ibstock and their test sheet showed the 300zx setting ranges and that included a neg camber range of which mine was slightly wide of but has since been tweaked with the addition of a camber adjustment kit. When I had my tyres changed their comment was "all 300's wear the inner edges!" so I wasn't too concerned.

 

Nico/Craig or another major techie 300zx guru is this not correct?

Hi JVN - actually, IIRC this is all your fault! One of your earlier posts made me put the full alignment check on the list as a precursor to a camber kit or some other corrective action.

 

But the figures we got www.300zx.co.uk/rides/gio/afteralign.htm didn't look like a camber-only issue as caster and kpi are also out.

 

Hence back to first principles and try to measure the body to check it is in spec before doing the next problem-solving thing. Whatever that is!