New car wheel alignment

[Lorin]

Did anybody have alignment problems with their Vibe? I'm going to take mine back for a "service adjustment" because it has this slight pull to the right that drives me crazy! (No, its not the crown in the road - I've tested it by driving down the center of a long straight section of road.) Tire pressures are ok.The only thing, is I don't know how good the dealer is with alignment. I don't want to hear "its in spec!", which it probably is, but its not dead on. Worse yet, I'm afraid they'll make it worse and I'll end up wasting itme.

[FrostedFlake]

I got my Vibe about a week ago and have noticed that it pulls slightly to the left at high speeds (above 65). I haven't called the dealer yet about it. Let us know whether or not the dealer corrects this problem and if they do it for free under warranty.

[Lorin]

Oh, they WILL cover this! I haven't completed the customer satisfaction survey yet - I'm going to hold it over there head until everything is resolved. Its the only real leverage I have with the dealer since the sales transaction is completed.I took delivery on an extremely windy night so I couldn't really evaluate the alignment. @#$%^! That's the second time that's happened to me on a new car purchase.

[d_m_kolb]

If I'm not mistaken on a new car you can have it aligned once with in 12,000 miles or one year. It was that way with my Kia anyway.

[NY Pete]

quote:If I'm not mistaken on a new car you can have it aligned once with in 12,000 miles or one year. It was that way with my Kia anyway.How 'bout after I drop it? hehe I don't suppose so...

[coratz]

Wheel Alignment Specifications FWDOperation Service Allowed Service Preferred Front Caster-non adjustable, for reference only +2.03° to +3.53° +2.78° Cross Caster-non adjustable, for reference only -0.75° to +0.75° 0.0° Camber -1.32° to +0.18° -0.57° Cross Camber -0.75° to +0.75° 0.0° Total Toe -0.2° to +0.2° 0.0° Steering Wheel Angle -3.5° to +3.5° 0.0° Rear Camber-non adjustable, for reference only -1.95° to -0.95° -1.45° Cross Camber-non adjustable, for reference only -0.50° to +0.50° 0.0° Total Toe-non adjustable, for reference only 0.0° to +0.52° +0.26° Thrust Angle-non adjustable, for reference only -0.13° to +0.13° 0.0° © Copyright General Motors Corporation. All Rights Reserved. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Document ID # 8341102003 Pontiac Vibe - FWD

[coratz]

ImportantLabor operation E2020 -- Wheel Alignments applies exclusively to the first situation (0-800 km) described below.0 - 800 km (0 - 500 mi): Due to the tie down during shipping, the vehicle's suspension requires some time to reach normal operating position. For this reason, new vehicles are not to be aligned until they have accumulated 800 km (500 mi). ImportantAll of the above-mentioned labor operations apply to the following situations:800 - 12,000 km (501 - 7,500 mi): If a vehicle came from the factory with incorrect alignment settings, any resulting abnormal tire wear or unusual handling characteristics would be apparent early in the life of the vehicle. Customers are expected to bring these conditions to the attention of the dealer. For owners who present their vehicles prior to 12,000 km (7,500 mi) for conditions that would result in the need to utilize one or more of the subject labor operations, it should be considered a warrantable repair. Tire rotations within this mileage must be performed at the owner's expense. 12,000 - 16,000 km (7,501 - 10,000 mi): During this period, dealers are empowered to make goodwill adjustments, on a case-by-case basis with service management approval, to owners who present their vehicles for conditions that result in the need to use one or more of the subject labor operations. 16,000 km and beyond (10,001 mi and beyond): Owners who present their vehicles beyond 16,000 km (10,001 mi) for conditions that would result in the need to utilize one or more of the subject labor operations, without a defect, are responsible for the maintenance expense. In the event that a defective component required the use of one or more of the subject labor operations, the identified defective component labor operation will include the appropriate labor time as an add condition to the component repair. Additional RequirementAs a reminder, before and after settings are to be recorded on the repair order for all alignment repairs. GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information. WE SUPPORT VOLUNTARY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION

[coratz]

so, i would suggest to all genvibe members to take your vibe in at 11000km and get that allighnment done for free. just say your vibe is pulling to the left or right. this may save you a lot of dollars on suspension/ tires. preventitive free maintence lol

[NY Pete]

Thanks a bunch for the specs! I'll bring these with me when I get my alignment after installing Eibach Sportlines... woo hoo!

[red]

Just took my white 2-tone AWD Vibe in for steering adjustment today. It has 554 mi. on it and the steering wheel "seemed" like it was not centered and it was canted to the right...driving me nuts!! If I put the wheel in the correct position the car would head for the left lane!! I was told (by the service rep) that you can't adjust (center) the steering wheel, but can only make adjustments to the suspension to correct it. Being that we own a body shop, on other vehicles it was possible to center the wheel only...but maybe on this new stuff????!!! It doesn't seem to be pulling, but its hard to tell since Alaskan roads are very crowned and generally are in poor condition anyway....hope they fix it!

[baltimore17]

Another possibility is a bad tire. I had a tire with some sort of a belt problem years ago (not on the Vibe). The tire ended up looking kind of lumpy, but the first indication was a tendency of the car to pull toward that tire's side (it was on the front right). This was the tire that was on the car as delivered from the factory and the problem showed up in well under a year.

[NSimkins]

quote:It has 554 mi. on it and the steering wheel "seemed" like it was not centered and it was canted to the right...driving me nuts!! I know myself and another member mentioned the same anomaly with their Vibe's as well. I have not taken it to the dealer regarding this issue as it is not a real annoyance to me anymore.More: http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id ... 0970#20970

[Lorin]

I'm really dissapointed to learn how common this problem is. When my Mazda was delivered with an alignment problem, the dealer did a PERFECT job with it, and it stayed that way for 80,000 miles. I wouldn't have been surprised if this were a true GM car, but I expected more from Toyota.

[red]

Got my car back. Steering wheel still in the same canted position. Told me the problem was fixed. Rep's told me that it was the "reduced" tire pressure that I had set the tires at 2 weeks ago (32psi down from dealers 38psi) and that it was fine now. Mine is the only Vibe experiencing this problem in Fairbanks, so I've been told. She did however tell me that I have until 7000mi to have alignment done. Otherwise, its one of the best on road awd cars I've driven and will put many conventional 4wds to shame in getting around on ice. It would probably be awesome if I ran studs or genuine snow tires on it!

[Lorin]

"the only Vibe experiencing this problem".... uh, yeh, we believe them.I bet they put it on the rack, said "yep, in spec" and didn't even turn a wrench!

[philndz]

whoa!...so now that i have over 12000 miles and my vibe is pretty much pulling left u turns by its-self ...i cant get it fixed for free??u gotta be kiddin! what good is a warranty?!-Phil

[slbpsi63]

I got my alignment fixed the first week I had the car. no problem. good luck

[esjones]

quote:I was told (by the service rep) that you can't adjust (center) the steering wheel, but can only make adjustments to the suspension to correct it. Being that we own a body shop, on other vehicles it was possible to center the wheel only...but maybe on this new stuff????!!! It doesn't seem to be pulling, but its hard to tell since Alaskan roads are very crowned and generally are in poor condition anyway....hope they fix it!My steering wheel is not EXACTLY centered, but it certainly falls within the ± 3.5° tolerance mentioned in the alignment specs above. I think I'll let it go (at least for now), since the car tracks nice and straight.- Earl

[Lancer]

I got the same thing, my Vibe pulls to the left. Ya think I might have a problem getting it fixed on warrenty if I have a strut tower bar under the hood?

[Lancer]

I also need an oil change too, though and I just figured out why my sound system sounded so flat. The back passenger speaker was never working? So I need that shecked out too. But I don't see how they could say that the STB had anything to do with the alignment.I just love the look on the mechanics face when he opens the hood.

[Lorin]

At 1200 miles the alignment started improving and by 1800, it was perfect. I'm glad I read coratz posting and waited before taking it in.