[alfa] alignment questions

[Tessie McMillan <tessmc@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

I just got my AWD sedan back from the local sports-tuner shop, where it 
had a corner balance and alignment. This car had a track accident a few 
months ago that broke quite a few suspension pieces; I've been repairing 
things as has been feasible.

I had requested they dial in as much negative camber as 
possible, especially in the front. Someone different (not the owner, 
who's done a terrific job in the past) did the alignment this time. 
He said the car simply would not take the negative camber it had in the 
past. The most the RF would take was -1.3 (previously it was -1.8), and 
because of that he set the LF at -1.5 (previously -1.7). Because I wanted 
negative camber, he added positive toe, saying this would give the tire 
negative camber in turns. He set it at about 0.02L and 0.04R (previously 
-0.03 and -0.something I can't remember).

Driving the car home, MY GOSH! left turns scared the bejeezus out of me. 
The turn was unpredictable and herky-jerky -- that is, it didn't want to 
turn, and then the car would turn farther than I wanted, then the process 
would be repeated. I'm used to setting my wheel and then accelerating to 
find my curve ... and by gum if I didn't find myself in the wrong lane 
doing this. I totally lost confidence. Right turns weren't quite so bad, 
but still the car just didn't want to turn; it wanted to keep ... going... 
straight.

Two questions: what happens to make the suspension unable to accept more 
negative camber? (Do pieces get bent? What does the adjustment involve? 
Are there threads that become crushed? Is there anything that can be 
replaced to improve this?) I just don't understand this. They said I need 
to go to adjustable camber plates to get more negative camber. But... 
I previously GOT more negative camber.... I don't understand.

If I ask them to bring back my negative toe, is there anything wrong with 
this request? Previously, the steering was quick and precise. I guess I 
don't understand why he was so confident about dialing in so much 
positive toe.

I am trying to balance between excess tire wear on the outside front right 
tire (due to heavy cornering), and responsive steering. Sorry to ask such 
simple questions, but the shop wasn't really taking me seriously today  
-- or else they thought I knew more than I did -- and I'd like to know 
more about the process.

If you have any comments or suggestions for me, I'd appreciate it! The 
shop has a policy of wanting feedback within 24 hours if the customer 
wants an adjustment to work performed... sigh.

Tess
in Bellevue, WA USA
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