This just doesn't look right...

On Saturday, I took my Miata to the Mazda dealership for an alignment, since I had just installed FM springs. I generally avoid the dealer, but decided that they probably are more familiar with Miatas than anyone else around here.

I know that these cars have a tendency to knock themselves out of alignment, so before I left the lot (they were already closed), I marked the eccentric bolts and tightened them up some more.

One of the rear adjusters looked like this on both sides:

The car has low miles and has never been hit. I'm guessing that this was either the first or last piece of the alignment puzzle.

Should I trust this alignment?

All the others are closer to normal, but it's a non-stock alignment (FM specs with lowered springs). I suspect that the Mazda dealer will say, "If it was on it's stock springs and aligned to Mazda specs, it wouldn't be like that".

Being an eccentric bolt, rotating it 180 degrees should significantly change the alignment. No?

Woody wrote: Being an eccentric bolt, rotating it 180 degrees should significantly change the alignment. No?

no, if you move it 180 degrees it will sit where it should be and the alignment will be exactly the same. Take it back.

I guess I need to see what the eccentric bolts actually look like out of the car. Anybody have a photo?

Relative to the picture, the adjustment slot is left-right. The eccentric bolt controls the position of the bolt along that axis. So if you flip the bolt 180 degrees it's in the same position, just with the eccentric flange engaging the guide more securely. My alignment guy did this to a few of mine as well.

Josh wrote: Relative to the picture, the adjustment slot is left-right. The eccentric bolt controls the position of the bolt along that axis. So if you flip the bolt 180 degrees it's in the same position, just with the eccentric flange engaging the guide more securely. My alignment guy did this to a few of mine as well.

So, is it a big deal or not? And why would it happen: Sloppy work?

I didn't really care on mine. I'd call it mildly sloppy work, since he probably didn't assume you'd notice, and it doesn't really functionally affect the alignment. If the bolts are tight, I wouldn't worry too much about it.

I think the bigger issue is that your rear subframe looks like it has crumpled a bit above the adjuster. Hopefully that is just the photo, but I don't think so. You can pick up a used subframe pretty cheap.

David

DWNSHFT wrote: I think the bigger issue is that your rear subframe looks like it has crumpled a bit above the adjuster. Hopefully that is just the photo, but I don't think so. You can pick up a used subframe pretty cheap. David

Nope, it's just the photo. Before I sent it to the shop, I cleaned up the area around each eccentric with a wire wheel on a Dremel. What you see is the transition from clean to dirty.

I did have to run out and check, though!