Why is so hard to get an S2 aligned???????

[rj scotty]

If you call lodge tyre ask for Clive and tell him rich with the s2 sent you

[Error404]

You can't adjust caster on an S2, well not without after market adjustable top mounts or offset subframe bushes to move the subframe.

Not specifically adjustable but there is about 5mm of lateral play in the ball joint bolt holes, so they can tweak it about 1/2 degree to get it in spec if its a bit off

[Rusty]

You can't adjust caster on an S2, well not without after market adjustable top mounts or offset subframe bushes to move the subframe.

Yes you can. The lower balljoints allow for a bit of rotation when adjusting, due to the clearance in the holes, thus enabling you to move the BJ fore / aft and thus adjust the castor by a few 0.1s of a degree, enough to balance it up nicely

[mcandmar]

Yes you can. The lower balljoints allow for a bit of rotation when adjusting, due to the clearance in the holes, thus enabling you to move the BJ fore / aft and thus adjust the castor by a few 0.1s of a degree, enough to balance it up nicely

I can confirm that, way more than .1 of a degree too. I've had my car tracked twice in the last two weeks (long story) and had 1'40 on the left and 2'10 on the right, i attempted to correct them myself with a 17mm spanner and a hammer by moving the balljoint positions and got 2'45 and 2'40 the 2nd time. 2'40 being the factory spec

[S2 EDS]

So interesting this thread. THe story seems to be a common theme up and down the country.

I took my S2 to an alignment centre in Leicester on Thursday - Tyres and Exhausts Galore, Mayfield Road, Leicester.

Young lad did the alignment check. Rears were very slightly out, but towing of fronts were slightly out - both pointing offside. When it came to adjustment - the guy tells me the adjusters are seized going into the track rod)

Fine I thought, put some penetrating fluid or heat on the nuts and away you go.......Can't do that mate, we need to .
strip it down, wire brush and re-grease - but it will cost you otherwise next time it will be the same. A big fat Boll***s to that I thought - whipped the car home, stripped off the track rods - both rubbers split anyway - serviced the adjusters and fully re-greased everything replaced the track rod ends. Decided to take it to an alternative centre for checking off.

Honestly, these people are worse than Kwikfit garages!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[A1QSHIP]

You can't adjust caster on an S2, well not without after market adjustable top mounts or offset subframe bushes to move the subframe.

Yes you can adjust caster on an s2. The subframe bolt captured nut in the bodywork are on a slotted mount on the right side. Loosen the subframe bolts & move the subframe fore/aft to adjust side-to-side caster Not alot but usually enough to even up the measurements from left to right.
The problem with aligning most Audis of this era is that is labor intensive & the alignment points are always rusted tight. Most alignment specials offered are a "toe & go" type If you are lucky they may check to see that both ends of the car are pointed in the same direction (thrust angle). Alignment shops make money putting parts on cars & not freeing up 20 year old adjustment points. Also, there are not many alignment technicians that have much familiarity with these older cars. That coupled with the fact that you need specialized tools to perform camber adjustments easily makes these cars non attractive to the majority of repair shops. The steering rack lock is definitely not needed though.
Before I do an alignment on an older Audi for the first time is is necessary to inspect for worn out or bent parts. Ball joints, inner & outer tie rod pivots, subframe bushings, steering rack mounting points, strut topmounts, sway bar links, wheel bearings, upper control arm bushings if equipped all need to be in top shape. Otherwise the alignment will not be right. After inspecting for worn out parts & replacing what is needed, I might need to spend time freeing up the toe in/out adjuster links followed by the camber adjusters. I will expect to be compensated for this as it can become time consuming (read "cost money"). This is before placing the vehicle on the alignment rack. Then a preliminary alignment check to see if the adjustment is close. If not, then I get the toe measurement & thrust angle close before setting the rear camber & toe. Then front caster & camber & finish up with front toe. Then a check to see if both ends of the vehicle are pointed in the same direction. Then a road test to see if the steering wheel is in the straight ahead position.
You really need a specialized shop that wants to do the job right and a customer that is willing to pay to have the job done right. If you are ever in Louisville, KY look me up. Chris

[rj scotty]

totally agree with above

And Clive at lodge loves theses cars

PS:

I'm not pushing lodge/Clive because I stand to gain from it I just know he knows his stuff, loves these cars (He owns a B5 S4) and is a top lad.

[Error404]

I normally get a discount off Kev as he says my car is a pleasure to work on

[rs2315]

Yes you can adjust caster on an s2. The subframe bolt captured nut in the bodywork are on a slotted mount on the right side. Loosen the subframe bolts & move the subframe fore/aft to adjust side-to-side caster Not alot but usually enough to even up the measurements from left to right.
The problem with aligning most Audis of this era is that is labor intensive & the alignment points are always rusted tight. Most alignment specials offered are a "toe & go" type If you are lucky they may check to see that both ends of the car are pointed in the same direction (thrust angle). Alignment shops make money putting parts on cars & not freeing up 20 year old adjustment points. Also, there are not many alignment technicians that have much familiarity with these older cars. That coupled with the fact that you need specialized tools to perform camber adjustments easily makes these cars non attractive to the majority of repair shops. The steering rack lock is definitely not needed though.
Before I do an alignment on an older Audi for the first time is is necessary to inspect for worn out or bent parts. Ball joints, inner & outer tie rod pivots, subframe bushings, steering rack mounting points, strut topmounts, sway bar links, wheel bearings, upper control arm bushings if equipped all need to be in top shape. Otherwise the alignment will not be right. After inspecting for worn out parts & replacing what is needed, I might need to spend time freeing up the toe in/out adjuster links followed by the camber adjusters. I will expect to be compensated for this as it can become time consuming (read "cost money"). This is before placing the vehicle on the alignment rack. Then a preliminary alignment check to see if the adjustment is close. If not, then I get the toe measurement & thrust angle close before setting the rear camber & toe. Then front caster & camber & finish up with front toe. Then a check to see if both ends of the vehicle are pointed in the same direction. Then a road test to see if the steering wheel is in the straight ahead position.
You really need a specialized shop that wants to do the job right and a customer that is willing to pay to have the job done right. If you are ever in Louisville, KY look me up. Chris

Very good honest appraisal

rs2315.

[Dpicariello]

I'm booked into Lodge Tyre in Birmingham on Wednesday lunchtime, thank you Rich.

[S2central.net]

I reckon that on moving my lower balljoints around to get camber equally
negative I may have screwed up caster - car doesn't return to straight ahead as she did before.

I have string camber gauge - anyone know how to use that to measure castor ?

[Colesy]

Went to Lodge Tyres Birmingham today and had my alignment done. Clive was on holiday this week so Derek set it all up, he did a great job, the handling is spot on now. Highly recommended.

[Rikki Kitto]

How much did it cost

[Colesy]

£72, they book 1 hr slots, mine took 2 hrs! He was very thorough, getting all the settings within tolerence and almost the same on both sides so nice and balanced. I was free to see exactly what was going on and he threw in new nuts for the wishbone adjusters too!

[Rikki Kitto]

sweet, wish I could find somewhere like that down here, bunch of rip of clowns around me