Thrust-Angle Alignment

[Bugs Bunny]

Hi everyone.

So I just had to have my SECOND alignment done in the past month because a neighbor's cat ran out in front of my car, i swerved and smacked a curb. Maybe I'm not meant to drive? I don't know, lol. Anyway, it appears on the top of the spec sheet that my mechanic gave me that a thrust-angle alignment was done on the car. I just read online that these types of alignments are performed to line up the front in respect to the back when the back can't be adjusted. Would this have any effect on the steering wheel being centered? Mine is still centering to the left - it doesn't completely center out. What else could cause this other than alignment? My tire pressures are fine. I plan on taking it back to the mechanic but I thought I would get your opinions on this.

(Please try to be easy on me about my driving skills :o)

Thanks,

Bugs Bunny

[Montecarloman]

Thats because the rear trailing arm isn't normally adjustable. There are no cams or threaded adjustments on cobalt trailing arms. How the rear end is is how it stays, unless you replace the whole rear trailing arm. Thats why that kind of alignment was done. As for the steering wheel the vehicles toe adjustment is slightly off, its very common and no big deal. The rear suspension is what sets the numbers for the front suspension. So on a solid rear axle car, because there is no adjustment, you end up adjusting the front off whatever the rear maybe. When I do alignments I almost always have to make a small toe adjustment after a test drive to get the wheel straight. Now on the other hand because you hit a curb something may be bent ever so slightly. Maybe not enough to actually see but its possible. Personally next time hit the cat :D

[Bugs Bunny]

thanks for the advice :D

i took it down earlier today and he adjusted the steering wheel for me. it looks like it's back where it should be, possibly tilted a TINY bit to the right now but i'm not worrying about it. i tend to do that too much. at least it's driving straight now lol.

[steve333]

Evans tire said there us an adjustment to be made on the rear and charged me for a 4 wheel alignment. They even showed me the book they had that said the Cobalt gets a 4 wheel alignment. Maybe there is something in back that can be adjusted? Either that or they overcharged me!

[Montecarloman]

It is possible to align the rear of a cobalt thats equipped specifically with drum brakes with full contact shims. HOWEVER when I did mine the alignment machine did not list a shim for the cobalts. What I did was because cavaliers are almost exactly the same as a cobalt I rest the machine to a cavalier and used cavalier full contact shims. I aligned mine almost a year ago so it is possible that a shim has been made specifically for the cobalt now. As for Evens tire before you go jumping down anyones throat its typical to do a 4 wheel alignment. That way they can advise you if there is anything odd looking. If they charged you extra money for an "adjustment" but didn't charge you for a full contact shim they are lying.

Keep in mind my car is an exception not the rule. I was looking for very specific numbers and made modifications to attain them.

[steve333]

They didnt charge me for a full contact shim. The alignment was only $30 because they gave a $60 credit with a full set of tires. However my front end is still giving me problems, there is a noise and a shimmy coming throujgh the steering wheel on bumps, especially a small cluster of bumps. The car cant seem to hold an alignment either because now its pulling to the left. Im bringing it back to the dealer next wednesday but the service manager said not to expect new struts or shocks-says GM never OKs a replacement for them. He said they will check tie rods, etc.
Hello ulcer.

[TomML]

I purchased a new Cobalt and after replacing the tires after 18K miles the car pulls to the left. The car has never been wrecked or even hit much of a pothole. It has been aligned by the Chev dealer 6 times and once by a tire store (the last time it was done). The car pulls to the left still. I was told by the tire store people that the driver's side rear tire is slightly turned into the right (toward the passenger's side) which causes the car to drift to the left. I have had 12 brand new tires on the car since.
Much to my disappointment they told me there was no fix. Chev washed their hands of the whole deal, and so did the better business bureau.
It sounds to me that there is a fix by purchasing shims? for the rear? Can you enlighten me?
NotSoCobaltFan

[steve333]

Originally Posted by TomML

I purchased a new Cobalt and after replacing the tires after 18K miles the car pulls to the left. The car has never been wrecked or even hit much of a pothole. It has been aligned by the Chev dealer 6 times and once by a tire store (the last time it was done). The car pulls to the left still. I was told by the tire store people that the driver's side rear tire is slightly turned into the right (toward the passenger's side) which causes the car to drift to the left. I have had 12 brand new tires on the car since.
Much to my disappointment they told me there was no fix. Chev washed their hands of the whole deal, and so did the better business bureau.
It sounds to me that there is a fix by purchasing shims? for the rear? Can you enlighten me?
NotSoCobaltFan

Mine does the same thing. Alignment, 4 new tires, balancing, same pull to the left.
I think there is something fundamentally wrong with either the Cobalt's front end suspension, steering, or perhaps the wheels?

[TomML]

Originally Posted by steve333

Mine does the same thing. Alignment, 4 new tires, balancing, same pull to the left.
I think there is something fundamentally wrong with either the Cobalt's front end suspension, steering, or perhaps the wheels?

Steve,
The alignment revieled that the problem was in the read end, not the front. The fundamental wrong part is that there is no adjustment for the rear. The cavalier had shims for the rear end I am told but they don't fit the cobalt. I think I will risk a couple bucks and buy some to figure out what to do with it.
Once I get this problem fixed I will concentrate on the suspension sway. My trip to work every morning is a curvy two lane highway. It seems the SUVs and pickups are driving slower these days.

[steve333]

Originally Posted by TomML

Steve,
The alignment revieled that the problem was in the read end, not the front. The fundamental wrong part is that there is no adjustment for the rear. The cavalier had shims for the rear end I am told but they don't fit the cobalt. I think I will risk a couple bucks and buy some to figure out what to do with it.
Once I get this problem fixed I will concentrate on the suspension sway. My trip to work every morning is a curvy two lane highway. It seems the SUVs and pickups are driving slower these days.

I thought the Cobalt has shims for the rear also. I remember the dealer saying so but that mine did not need them.