my car always pulls to the right after alignment, I asked them about it, and they say it's normal for AWD car?
is this complete bs?

 

ALL cars will drift slightly right when the alignment is dead on.

Here is a short course in what all the alignment mumbo-jumbo actually means:
http://www.familycar.com/alignment.htm

Way faster than me explaining myself.

 

Weird. They usually have very good customer service when it comes to that kind of situation. A few months ago, I got aligned at AI, came back to sf, and throughout one week, I hit a few curbs and metal plates at speed. Not surprisingly, I noticed that my alignment went out of true (which was 100% my fault). I called them, guiltily explained what had happened and mentioned it was my own driving that caused my concern, and they told me to come back in 'just to take a look at it'. So we set up another appointment, I went in the next weekend, and 30 minutes later they came out with my car and explained to me that they just aligned it again for no cost, which I thought was very cool. So I thanked them, left a hefty tip, and took off.

I think maybe sometimes they have a bad day. They are a small outfit, charge less than other shops of similar size, and are very busy. Also, some customers can be very demanding (not at all implying that was you ), so maybe someone got the best of them. In these types of small shops, I've noticed the small town feel of "be cool, and we'll help you out as much as we can."

 

Rennwerks in Campbell. Awesome shop, and Mike does a great job with Subarus

 

Thanks, I will check them out if AI doesn't come through.

 

Just got my alignment done today at AI, and I must say I am pleased. Steve, I think his name was, even asked if I wanted any custom specs.

I now run:
-1.5 camber Front L/R
0 toe on all four corners
caster (neglible, at spec)

I highly recommend them! Finished mine within an hour.

 

AutoInnovations has always done a great job on tires and alignment for me. I take both my cars there and a few of my friends go there as well. I give them custom specs and they dial it spot-on everytime. I also get my tires from them and they're the only shop that hasn't scratched my wheels even after four sets of new tires. They're also make sure to get adjust the F/R tire pressure after every tire rotation.

In a typical 4-wheel alignment, a shop aligns your suspension so that the four wheels are straight or at least within factory specs, depending on the shop. Unless you specifically ask them to check your steering wheel alignment, most shops won't do it.

A properly aligned car will pull to the right due to the crown of the road. Our roads are not perfectly flat, then actually slope down the sides for proper water drainage. Since we drive on the right side of the road, the car will drift down the slope. Some freeways are sloped differently so you won't notice it as much on the freeway as compared to local streets.

Btw, my daily driver alignment's at -1.5 F camber, 5.0 F caster, -1.0 R camber, 0 toe all around.

 

Anyone recommend an alignment shop that is closer to Berkeley?

 

Roger Kraus, Castro Valley?

 

TFB Peformance at Infineon raceway. He does a lot of the set ups for the local club racers including most of the top 10 in Spec Miata. Great guy, knows his stuff.