Thanks Scott.

Yes they said they got it aligned as best they could, and the van drives
fine.  I did the alignment, toe, myself after changing my PS rack, and
tie-rods.  The front end is tight, and the ball joints are in good shape,
except for a torn boot on the upper passenger side (I don't drive it in
winter / mud).  New Bilstein HD Shocks, and new tires, so all is tight.  I
just wasn't sure what the Camber specs were.

The alignment shop is a classic place, and they have done Vanagons before,
they have been around for many years. People from Detroit know about
Wetmore's in Ferndale MI.  They charged $45 for the front end, and really
took extra care on it.  This shop has been around since 1928.

The van drives great, like on rails, and I am good to go to Buese by the
Beach this weekend.

Jack

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Scott Daniel - Shazam
Sent: Monday, May 12, 2008 3:38 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Alignment concern?!?

Did they say they got it aligned as best they could ?
How are the lower arm inner bushings ?
24 years old you know.
Never heard of anyone doing them.
And I assume all ball joints are good.
And I won't even tell you, that I, as a 35 + year professional, what
completely incompetent professional front end work I have seen and read
about.

I drove an SVX -engined syncro a few years ago, on an old fashioned two lane
concrete road.
The thing tracked like a brand new car !  Like on rails.
The owner said 'yeah, the entire front end is rebuilt."

Could also be your shop just doesn't want to get involved with a vanagon
much, but they won't tell you that.

Does it drive right ?
1.5 negative camber does not sound all 'that bad' to me, if that's the 'only
thing' - like it drives right, they got it pretty in spec otherwise, and
NOTHING IS WORN.

Scott
www.turbovans.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Jack R.
Sent: Monday, May 12, 2008 12:22 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Alignment concern?!?

I just took my 84 Westy Wolfie up for an alignment, and they said they
couldn't get better than a negative 1.5 degrees on the camber.  Each front
wheel.  They said it would only get greater, but that when fully adjusted,
they couldn't get the Camber to zero.

Should I be concerned.  The vehicle was not loaded, and I have dual front
batteries.

Thanks,

Jack R.

N. of Detroit

84 Westy Wolfie. 181k miles.

2.1 motor.

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