Wheel alignment I had a 4 wheel alignment on 1997 civic 2 door, are these values what they should be after it was done?. Results are as follows:L/R front camber -0.5 & -0.5; camber 1.7 & 1.7; toe 0.00 & 0.00; total toe 0.01; steer ahead 0.00. Rear camber -2.1 & -1.4; toe 0.11 & 0.08 total toe 0.19; thrust angle 0.02

From the Holden Service CD:

The toe-in specification is deliberately quoted as an angle because wherever possible toe-in should be measured in degrees. Refer below for the recommended wheel alignment settings. These settings are at curb weight, which is the vehicle
in a condition of full fluids, full fuel, no people or luggage.


Front Toe-in Degrees Total 0°10' ± 0°10'
Degrees Per Wheel 0°05' ± 0°5'
Camber - 0°30' ± 0°20'
Caster 7°45' ± 1°15'

Rear Toe : 0 ± 1mm (0°± 0?10mins)
Camber : -1°30mins to -2°30mins
Torque Settings : 65 ± 5Nm

castor angle 1/2 to 11/2 degrees
camber 0 to 1degrees
toe in 1/8 to 1/4
As it has to be done at a wheel alignment shop they will know the best settings. Make sure that they do the alignment on the rear first as it affects the front alignment

camber 0 to 1 degree castor 1 to 2 degrees and toe in 1/ to 1/4 inch as different roads are constructed differently with varying cambers (slope to the side for water run off) the wheel alignment is best set by a qualified wheel aligner shop to suit the local conditions

Have a front end suspension check done to eliminate any worm ball joints -shockies- worn suspension rubbers-- steering problems. If ok have a wheel alignment done and have the rear end aligned first as it affects the front alignment. The violent wobble is castor wobble and indicates negative castor possible from sagging suspension springs. The camber is out at that results in the car following every dip in the road. The camber has to work in conjunction with the toe-in measurement and if the 2 are not correct then you will have problems.

Before making wheel alignment adjustment, perform the following checks:

1. Tires should be equal in size and runout must not be excessive. Tires and wheels should be in balance, and inflated to manufacturer's specifications.


2. Wheel bearings must be properly adjusted. Steering linkage and suspension must not have excessive looseness. Check for wear in tie rod ends and ball joints.
3. Steering gear box must not have excessive play. Check and adjust to manufacturer's specifications.
4. Vehicle must be at curb height with full fuel load and spare tire in vehicle. No extra load should be on vehicle.
5. Vehicle must be level with floor and with suspension settled. Jounce front and rear of vehicle several times and allow it to settle to normal curb height.
6. If steering wheel is not centered with front wheels in straight-ahead position, correct by shortening one tie rod adjusting sleeve and lengthening opposite sleeve equal amounts.
7. Ensure wheel lug nuts are tightened to torque specifications

Ride Height Adjustment

Before adjusting alignment, check riding height. Riding height must be checked with vehicle on level floor and tires properly inflated. Passenger and luggage compartments must be unloaded. Bounce vehicle several times, and allow suspension to settle. Visually inspect vehicle from front to rear and from side to side for signs of abnormal height.
Measure riding height. See figure. Riding height between left and right sides of vehicle should vary less than 1′ (25.4 mm). If riding height is not within specification, check suspension components and repair or replace them as necessary.
Wheel Alignment Procedures

Honda recommends using commercially available computerized 4-wheel alignment equipment. Follow equipment manufacturer instructions to obtain vehicle alignment settings. Use following procedures for necessary adjustments.
Civic Camber Adjustment
Compare camber settings with vehicle manufacturer recommendations. If camber is incorrect, check for bent or damaged front suspension components. Replace faulty components. Recheck camber.
Civic Caster Adjustment
DO NOT use more than 2 shims. If more than 2 shims are required to adjust caster angle, check for bent or damaged suspension components.
Compare caster settings with vehicle manufacturer recommendations. If caster is incorrect, check for bent or damaged front suspension components. Replace faulty components. Recheck caster.
Civic Toe-In Adjustment

1. Secure steering wheel in straight-ahead position. Measure front wheel toe-in. If adjustment is needed, loosen tie rod lock nuts. Turn both tie rods equally in the same direction until front wheels are in straight-ahead position and toe-in reading is correct. Tighten tie rod lock nuts. Reposition tie rod boots if twisted.
2. Ensure parking brake is released. Check rear wheel toe-in. If adjustment is needed, hold adjusting bolt on rear compensator arm and loosen lock nut. See figure. Adjust rear toe-in by sliding rear control arm until rear toe-in is correct. Install NEW lock nut, and tighten it while holding adjusting bolt.

Wheel Alignment Specifications

• Camber - Measurement in degrees.
  • Front: 0 (range -1 to 1)
  • Rear: 0.33 (range -1.33 to 0.67)
• Caster - Measurement in degrees.
  • 1.17 (range 0.17 to 2.17)
• Toe-In - Measurement in inches (mm).
  • Front: -0 (0)
  • Rear: 0.08 (2.0)
• Toe-In - Measurement in degrees.
  • Front: 0.00 (range - 0.16 to 0.16)
• Toe-Out On Turns - Measurement in degrees.
  • Inner: 41.00
  • Outer: 33.50

Torque Specifications Ft. Lbs (N.m)

• Rear Control Arm Adjusting Bolt: 48 (65)
• Spindle Nut: 136 (185)
• Tie Rod Lock Nut: 41 (55)
• Wheel Lug Nuts: 80 (108)

hope this helps you out.

not a lower control arm problem
the wheel alignment guy is not lying

the front wheel drive only has tow in toe out adjustments
no camber adjustments
the frame is pre stressed at manufacture set at zero

if the shock tower frame on any front wheel drive gets bent up.... even a little bit
the camber will be way out
even front ride height may be way out on each front side

too dangerous to drive
the car is a write off


only good to sell for parts or buy the same model and swap over its good bits

if you like the car a lot
to correct the damage needs the front chassis stripped back to frame and put on a frame straightener

Have the car's alignment done professionally
About $80 for 4 wheel alignment

have an alignment done. the technician should check for a bad suspension component before the alignment is done to ensure it is done correctly. make sure you inform him you would like to know of any suspension prats that need replacing

Alignment: Specifications
Alignment
Wheel Alignment
Tire size:
VAN, LX, EX, EX-L models: P235/65R16 103T
EX-L Touring model: P235-710R460A 104T
Tire pressure:
Front (VAN, LX, EX, EX-L Touring models) ........................................................................................................... 230 kPa (2.3 kgf/cm2, 33 psi)
Front (EX-L model) .................................................................................................................................................. 240 kPa (2.4 kgf/cm2, 35 psi)
Rear ........................................................................................................................................................................... 240 kPa (2.4 kgf/cm2, 35 psi)
Caster angle ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 2° 32' ± 1°
Camber angle:
Front ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 0° 00' ± 30'
(Maximum difference between the front right and left side: 0° 30')
Rear ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. -0° 30' ± 45'
The camber angle can be adjusted up to ±25' (center of tolerance) by replacing one damper pinch bolt with the adjusting bolt. The camber angle can
be adjusted up to 50' by replacing both damper pinch bolts with the adjusting bolts.
Front toe-in ............................................................................................................................................................................. 0 ± 2 mm (0 ± 1/16 inch)
Rear toe-in ......................................................................................................................................................................... 2 ± 2 mm (1/16 ± 1/16 inch)
Turning angle

Inward wheel 41° 56' ±2°
Outward wheel 34° 32' (Reference)

Toe - 0° +/- 2mm

you set the camber by loosening the two bolts that bolt the strut to the steering knuckle move strut in or out check with camber gauge and tighten bolts when preferred setting is reached most cars are set around 0 degrees.Next you set the toe by turning the tie rods set toe on 0 while steering wheel is in the center.You need a alignment machine to do this correctly