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Alignment issues?

Help, Advice, Owners' Discussion and DIY Tutorials on Volvo's stylish, distinctive P2 platform cars sold as model years 2001-2007 (North American market year designations).

2001 - 2007 V70
2001 - 2004 V70 XC (Cross Country)
2004 - 2007 XC70 (Cross Country)
2001 - 2009 S60
2003 - 2007 S60 R
2004 - 2007 V70 R

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reverend
Posts: 62
Joined: 1 November 2008
Year and Model: 2006 V70 2.5t
Location: Texas
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Alignment issues?

Post by reverend »

I had the local dealer replace the sub frame bushings and install the IPD sway bar.

After that, it seemed like the steering would turn "in" quicker after about a quarter turn at higher speeds (noticeable on high speed sweepers, like freeway transitions - particularly with bumpy roads).

In late 2015, I replaced ball joints, inner and outer tie rod ends, struts, strut bearings, lower control arms (with bushings) and the sway bar links. All this has about 5 years and 40K miles on the parts.
Earlier THIS year,I installed new front bearings.

I also noticed that the passenger side front tire wears the outside edge, and it seems to rub more when I do a full-lock left turn. (apparently there's a "toe at full turn" measurement - does an alignment shop measure that?).

Alas, I took the outer tie rods off the spindles and checked for play and wear and the passenger inner tie rod seems a little loose (very slight wiggling when I wiggle the wheel at 0900 & 1500). After doing that, I went to the alignment shop today, and they adjusted it to within spec.

However, NOW it seems worse. The car doesn't pull or do anything when I brake or accelerate, but when I am at freeway speed it seems pretty 'nervous' and vague and prone to some sort of shimmying when on grooves or painted lines.

At first, I thought I didn't tighten the lug nuts all the way, or something was loose, but I've gone under the car and checked everything I could and it's all tight.

Either the alignment shop somehow got the right numbers, but messed something up - can the things they attach to the tires be attached wrong?
OR I have something really wrong. The tires ARE worn and will be replaced. I will also replace the inner and outer tie rod ends (already on order) but that the car felt more weird AFTER the alignment is weird, and that it was a little vague before that makes me think that something isn't right.
COuld the sub frame bushings have been installed wrong somehow so the entire sub frame (that the LCAs attach to) is crooked, and that throws off any attempt at aligning?

Any other ideas? It's starting to get expensive to align it all the time to chase an elusive bug. I'd prefer to find an old alignment specialist person in San Antonio, but it seems like all we have is the dealership and chains with teenage employees.

Current alignment:
Image

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ignatz
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Post by ignatz »

The tires ARE worn and will be replaced. Start here.
Tire choice can be area where different new tires will feel different at highway speeds, or driving hard thru exit ramps.
2002 V70 2.4
2005 S60 2.5t awd
2006 S60 t5 stick shift

reverend
Posts: 62
Joined: 1 November 2008
Year and Model: 2006 V70 2.5t
Location: Texas
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Post by reverend »

Thanks. That's the plan. Figures that neither the RT43 or the DWS 06 is in stock. Ugh.

reverend
Posts: 62
Joined: 1 November 2008
Year and Model: 2006 V70 2.5t
Location: Texas
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Post by reverend »

Well, it turns out that the SHORT answer is that it was the alignment all along. The local dealer never got it right.

The longer story:
I needed new tires, but I wanted to get my alignment sorted. The local shop did my alignment and found a marginal inner tie rod end, so I ordered the parts (lifetime warranty, so it only cost me shipping) and replaced that, had the car aligned at a small/local chain (alignment "warranty" for 4 months and 4000 miles). When I left, the car was worse than ever, so I went back. They did it right and the car was riding perfect. No weirdness in turns, surefooted like a new car over grooves and uneven parts on the road - but the steering wheel was turned ever so slightly.

I get the new tires, then go back to fix the alignment with the new tires on. Leave the place and it's worse than before. Go back, they have "their best tech" work on it and he comes back and says "it pulls to the left". *sigh*

Since I had the "lifetime alignment", I went to another one of the shops in the chain. This one is smaller and has one guy doing the work. I drove straight from the shop that said it was aligned perfectly but pulling and into the other shop a few miles away. They hook it up and say "this was waaay off".

They fix it and now the car drives straight and true like a brand new car!

Now that I have a good feeling for what "out of whack" alignment feels like, I'm in a better position to detect it in the future.

I just wish we had one good shop I could trust. Preferably with the grizzly old alignment guy who knows ALIGNMENTS more than just "do what the computer says".

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