so i have the svt kit in my zx3 and i'm noticing heavy tire wear (and the horrible noises that go with it) on the inside corner of my rear wheels.
right after i installed it i took the car to the ford shop and had them do a 4 wheel alignment. i mentioned the svt suspension asuming the values would be different than on a regular zx3.
did they give me the alignment for a zx3 instead of an svt? or do i need some kind of aftermarket camber kit?
____________________ 04 ZY ZX3/2.3L PZEV/K&N Typhoon CAI/FS race exaust/SVT suspension/black 18" L8 rims/FS front stress bar/steeda STS/black projector LED headlights (HID)/black alteza taillights/smoked side markers/euro upper front grille/euro LED 3rd brake lights/
i talked to a guy at the ford shop just now and at first he said it sounds like i need a camber kit. but as i talked to him more he asked if i told them at the time that the alignment was for SVT suspension.
i said "yes, would it say on my service printout if they did it for svt or regular zx3?"
he said "yes"
so i told him i'd go look up that paperwork.
so i found it and it says this
CUSTOMER REQUESTS 4 WHEEL COMPUTERIZED ALIGNMENT.
4 Wheel Alignment All
is this guy giving me the run arround or what?
____________________ 04 ZY ZX3/2.3L PZEV/K&N Typhoon CAI/FS race exaust/SVT suspension/black 18" L8 rims/FS front stress bar/steeda STS/black projector LED headlights (HID)/black alteza taillights/smoked side markers/euro upper front grille/euro LED 3rd brake lights/
Not sure if its a line or not. I had Ford do the alignment on my car and did not mention SVT. I have not had any problems.
I do know Joe had issues with his car before he put his SVT stuff on (I think). He has an 02 and needed the kamber kit. There is a TSB out for the rear camber kit but not sure what years it is for. I do know its not a warrantyable item unless your still under the factory warranty. If I remember correctly its either $90 a side or $90 for both plus the labor.
Get a hold of joe and see what his was. Check with Ford about the TSB.
Camber usually isn't too much of the culprit, you can drive around with about -2ยบ of camber at each corner without too much tire wear. Beyond that and you might have problems. The real merciless tire wear value is Toe. Ford spec allows for rear toe. YOU WANT 0 toe in the rear, and a MAXIMUM of 1/8" total toe out in the front MAX!
Once the toe is set correctly you should be fine, I always ask for a before and after alignment printout as well.
You shouldn't need a camber kit with the SVT alignment, though Camber plates in the front (I recommend LCR plates either street or race) are a great investment for anyone that wants a better driving ride.
so, should i take it to them and specify that they fix the toe? and also. should i be paying for this? i have the 100,000 mile warantee (wich i'm very under)
____________________ 04 ZY ZX3/2.3L PZEV/K&N Typhoon CAI/FS race exaust/SVT suspension/black 18" L8 rims/FS front stress bar/steeda STS/black projector LED headlights (HID)/black alteza taillights/smoked side markers/euro upper front grille/euro LED 3rd brake lights/
Well, the Ford specs allow for the toe, the problem is, that leads to tire wear, so you can't really say the tech or whoever did it wrong, they did it by what Ford said, just happens to be that Ford doesn't care if you burn through tires. And "wear" items such as tires whether the fault of crap alignment or not are not covered by any warranty.
