OK, so I am up in Portland/Seattle for the holidays when I accidentally clip a center dividing curb in Seattle with the drivers side front tire.

The Primewell tires (Firestone specials) have minimal wear on them so most likely only going to replace one as I doubt that it is worn more than 2/32nds but we will see. They have Firestones full coverage hazard plan so if all four need to be replaced due to a difference between the one new tire's tread depth and the other 3, I still only pay the prorated amount for each tire depending on how much tread was used.


ANYWAYS! I am taking this opportunity to get the lifetime alignment on the FXT as I have been REALLY happy with it on the WRX wagon for the last year and a half.

I am always reading on the forums about the crummy handling of our FXT's on stock suspension with the factory spec alignment. Specifically about the I-club member (forgot name) that just recently lost control of his FXT on the Cap City freeway while going home from Maita Subaru.


Can someone point me in the direction of what to ask for if I just wanted a bit better high speed stability?

I am also going to be picking up a 5 speed transmission, rear diff, clutch ect on the way back down to Sacramento so maybe someone can recommend an alignment spec for the heavy load, long distance highway trips and a different one for when it is DD in between the long highway trips.

The car is DD about 20 miles each way in 45 mph city driving but we also take it on our trips up to portland... with a fair load in it.


Because it is a lifetime alignment, I can literally get one every single day if I had the time to so switching specs is no big deal even at once or twice per month.

All help would be GREATLY appreciated!!

 

With the extra weight in the back on your stock suspension your negative camber will increase in the rear.

I would set it up with more camber up front... say like -1.3 or so. Then run something like -1 in the rear. The weight in the rear will push that up so you'll still have more camber in the rear and won't have excess tire wear and your handling should be neutral.

If it's a stock XT... wheels, sways, springs.... etc... all stock... I wouldn't bother going overly aggressive with the camber... especially in the winter.

Maybe run something with a bit more camber in the front than the rear. Say -1.5 up front and -1 in the rear.

 

Also ask for 0 Toe all the way around. Not just within spec, but 0 Toe.

 

Good info OneManArmy!! Thank you very much for the quick reply.

Yes everything is stock now... But not for long.

 

Yea I'm noticing poor straight line stability in my wife's '12 Forester. I think the toe might be off. Especially in the rain, it feels like you are hydroplaning when I know that I am not. I haven't taken it in to get checked, but I only plan to bring the front to -1 to -1.5 and the rear about -1. Preferably a little less. And zero toe.

 

I like -1.5 front and -1.0 in the rear with zero toe.


I ran this on my legacy for a while which is a heavier chassis too.

 

Sounds familiar.... wonder where I heard those numbers... hmmmm.

LOL!

 

Jesus the 1st.

 

FWIW, I'm pretty sure you can't do that with the lifetime alignments anymore. IIRC, they'll do an alignment every 6,000 miles or some period of time. Definitely worth inquiring about beforehand.

-Brian

 

Depends on the shop. I get a custom alignment on mine every time. I go in every 4-6 months.

 

wait, firestones lifetime alignment allows for custom alignments? the ones around where i live in sf do factory settings. And they wont do it if your car is lowered -.-

but maybe that's just depending on the shop?

Sent from my i4s using i-Club

 

I have never heard this before. When I went to Firestones website, it says:

Lifetime Alignment (available on most vehicles)

In addition to our Standard Alignment Service, we:

provide a Lifetime Limited Warranty* on the alignment, which means we’ll set alignment angles on your vehicle every 6,000 miles or whenever needed, free of charge, for as long as you own it

* See your auto adviser for complete terms and conditions of written, limited warranties.


Hahaha if I ever did get pushback... I would drive home, put camber bolts in (or turn them a few degrees if they are already installed) and go back.


Never had any issues though. The shops I have been to so far literally tell me that I can come in as often as I like. They even give me examples of people that bring in their cars for different auto-x setups.

 

that shop must have some cool ppl. i guess the ones near me are just aholes

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I basically take my car in and say... can you check my alignment. They say sure. I say don't change anything.... just come back and tell me what the settings are at.

Then they do... then I say... can you hit this.... and they say... sure. And do it.

But I've also had the life time alignment for like 5 years.

 

damn.