GREGGYG

iTrader: (2)

I took my 05 jdm sti to a well known garage with Subaru knowledge in Cowley, for a 4 wheel geometry set up. When I collected my car, I was told that only the rear wheels could be alligned, as the camber bolts on the front had a problem. I asked what problem, and was told that the bolts would not adjust enough to give a degree of negative camber, they could only get a quarter of a degree and there was no adjustment left. I asked what the solution was, and they said I would need to buy new bolts. I ordered some Eibach camber bolts from Scoobyparts. (hese fit all Impreza's from 1993 onwards). I took the bolts to the garage and left the car with them. They called me within a couple of hours saying my car was ready, but the bolts I had provided were too small. i told them they fit all Impreza's, and they still insisted that I had provided the wrong bolts. I called Scoobyparts, who confirmed to me that this was very strange, as all camber bolts are the same size!

The garage said they had found some bolts in their workshop which they fitted to my car and the geometry was now correct.The car felt exactly the same as what it did before, but I gave them the benefit of the doubt. They also told me that their allignment machine did not print out, which i found strange, as i believe all modern allignment equipment provides a printout of before and after settings.

I had some Prodrive springs fitted by my mechanic yesterday, and told him about this problem. He checked my car and said there are 2 sets of bolts on the front for camber, upper and lower. he said the lower bolts are the ones to be adjusted for increasing negative camber, not the top bolts, so what has now transpired is that the garage were trying to adjust the upper bolts, which are smaller, and clearly seemed oblivious to the lower bolts, which were the ones they should have adjusted in order to get the correct negative camber!

Anyway, my mechanic is going to do my geometry set up himself at a friends garage who has allignment equipment.

I'm very pissed off about this, especially from a garage which were only recently featured in a well known Japanese car magazine.

Greg

zayd

iTrader: (1)

Don't always fall for the hype of large established garages. They often become complacent with their workmanship when their customer base increases. This happens far too often for my liking.

juggers

iTrader: (1)

Name and shame GREGGYG who is it?

prodriverules

iTrader: (52)

i didnt know there was two adjustment bolts on impreza's,thought it was just the one?

MICAWRX

Had the same with a well known Newcastle shop that does alignment...
...got it home to find track rod end nut rounded and grease coming out of rubber boot.

On questioning shop said they would highlight any issues like that to customer during/after work...so I must be a liar

MICAWRX

grrr.. double post... is this a random Google Chrome issue?

JonMc

iTrader: (51)

I thought there was only one camber bolt per side as standard. That's why I bought top mounts for greater adjustment. I had a similar issue with Kiplings in Bushey Heath nr Watford. I instructed them on how to make the adjustments using the top mounts, and after watching them struggle for 45 minutes they gave up and stated the mounts were seized. I got the car home, un-did all 3 nuts and the tops moved without any dramas. They had given me a printout and the top mounts had 1/4 degree increments marked on them so I finished the adjustment myself

Camber bolts do come in different sizes depending upon the application, but all scoobies use 14mm bolts so I would be surprised if scoobyworld got it wrong.

sy.

iTrader: (8)

on the front + or - camber is dep on the top bolt posision only nothing to do with the bottom bolt

prodriverules

iTrader: (52)

thought so as ive just changed my shocks for 40mm insert bilstiens and myn only had one camber bolt on top hole.

GREGGYG

iTrader: (2)

I was told that there is a top and bottom bolt on each side. In order to get negative camber, the bottom bolt, the 14mm ones, should be the ones which are adjusted for negative camber, and not the top ones. I'm not too familiar with this unfortunately, so only stating what I have been told by my mechanic, who is deeply knowledgable on impreza's.

Greg

prodriverules

iTrader: (52)

The bottom bolt is just aplain shanked bolt with no adjustment built into the shank,its only the top one which is the adjusting one fella

Budgie

iTrader: (4)

well its either power engineering or torque of the devil
i live within 3 miles of them both
but my car goes to dsa in aylesbury
my transit gets serviced by power eng though
and a top job they do

see you sunday greg

GREGGYG

iTrader: (2)

Thanks prodriverules, appreciated!

Yes, the top bolts are for adjustment, but they are on full negative adjustment already, so to get more negative camber, the eibach or Whiteline bolts are introduced to replace the bottom bolts (or fit adjustable top mounts). This will also increase the track width of the car. I would have thought the garage would have known this, being Subaru specialists???

prodriverules

iTrader: (52)

you'd like to think so wouldnt you,doesnt fill you full of confidence does it mate.

360ste

iTrader: (1)

From what I read on whitelines site, I think. You can put camber adfjusting bolts in the bottom holes for greater adjustment but this is usually done for motorsport. I have whiteline camber bolts in the top holes only and mine adjust fine.

GREGGYG

iTrader: (2)

Yes its Power Engineering

JonMc

iTrader: (51)

It must be in the water - Wicked Wheels next to them are sh!te too

LEUVEN

Theres a chance they put the bottom bolts in the wrong way round and adjusted them the same as the top ones or they put them in the right way and adjusted them the wrong way, therefore cancelling the top bolts out.
On mine both the top and bottom rears were non adjustable and the fronts had one adjustable bolt (which is a larger hole than the rest) at the top as stated.
If they're the same as the whiteline ones then the peg could have missed the hole and comprressed outside the hole which would then give no adjustment as the bolt would just spin.

Edit: If there were more negative camber then it would be very noticable IMHO, sounds a bit too convinient that there's no print out neither?

arthur.d

remember when adjusting camber you will effect toe and castor[if your mounts have castor adjustment] but would get toe/alignment checked again in any case

scoobyraj

iTrader: (1)

Hmmm, I've used power engineering a few times for odd bits and pieces and they do try andsell themselves as scooby specialists so you'd expect them to be upto scratch even if they've got 'trainee' mechanics assisting! Although I do think they're a bit pricey for what they offer. Never tried them but hear torque of the devil are pretty good.
Disappointing when a garage gets it wrong!

M444GY

iTrader: (72)

lol

mantazini

iTrader: (25)

Had only good experiences with Ian at PE. Very helpfull guy, and decent price quotations. He deffo knows what he's doing m8, might be u've jumped on some trainee mechanics.

786omar

iTrader: (5)

They can't do print outs as they use an old style laser tracker, personally I always take my cars to wheels in motion in chesham, they do all the driftworks cars and specialise in custom geometery setups, etc, However Ian is the topman at P.E. as above you may have had the trainees working on your car

Hammer man

iTrader: (25)

Feel for you GREGGYG. Its not nice taking your car somewhere, and them not doing their work right. I hope they havnt done any lasting damage to your car. Its worse when the garage damages your car and then wont accept responability. If you can prove without doubt that they were not able to carry out the work to a satisfactory standard, you have every right to name them for others to be aware of,,,,,, and never to give them your trade again