S13 alignment

[SureShot21]

I've searched multiple boards regarding caster settings on an S-chassis, but all the posts are regarding alignment settings in general, not my problem. Last week I had a professional alignment (not Firestone, Sears, etc.) done on a Hunter rack by someone with 10+ years of experience in all types of imports. After setting my ride height, my alignment was very skewed going into the shop. Front settings were: caster +6.6/+6.5, camber -5.4/-4.0, toe -0.05/+0.68 left/right. Final settings were supposedly -3.5 camber, +7.5 caster, and +0.06 toe. Now with increased positive caster, the tires are contacting the firewall/wire harness on the driver's side wheelwell; there was no interference before. I know that there may be variations in wheel location with changes in camber and toe, but as far as I know, increasing caster should yield more room between the firewall and tire. When the wheels are pointed straight forward, the wheel is noticeably towards the rear of the wheelwell now. What am I missing here? TIA.

[brokeAs240sx]

You are correct, ppl add more caster to make more room between firewall & tire (given everything else is the same).

Could be that the toe changes caused your tires to sit closer since they were slightly negative/positive - but the changes are very small.

Maybe it was the height adjustment? Did you change the height or the alignment place?

With the harness, I'm guessing it could be something as simple as the camber, you went from -5 -> -3.5, the wheel's orientation is totally different in regards to how it sits next to the harness now.

[SureShot21]

I set my ride height and then took it in to the shop. The height of the coilovers stayed the same from when I took it in to when I left. The vertical fender to tire clearance changed at least a 1/4" however, due to camber adjustment.
The tension rods were almost as short as they could be adjusted before. Now with caster increased +1.0 degrees, they're adjusted longer. WTF, mate.

[brokeAs240sx]

Well, maybe when adjusting camber/toe, the caster got really positive (say 8.5), so they actually lowered caster to get it to be 7.5. Remember, adjusting one suspension component usually affects other components.

That's my guess from what you've told so far.

You really should have checked everything out right after they finished & asked the alignment guy.

[SureShot21]

Yeah, I hear ya. Shoulda coulda woulda didn't. I was already *only* about 7 hours behind schedule for a drive up to NorCal that day, which resulted in my hasty exit. Your last explanation sounds like it's probably what happened. Time for ghetto driveway alignment like always.

[brokeAs240sx]

harness problem:
- do a harness fender tuck

firewall problem:
- bring it back to the shop & ask them to increase the caster (or just tell them you are having problems w/ the tires hitting the firewall), considering you just had it aligned, they will probably give you a decent deal. Better than doing it in the driveway & making the entire alignment screwed up.