Geometry set up

[Nigelgta]

I've recently had Dale replace front springs, and wishbone and shock bushes on my 2009 Maserati Granturismo 4.7S. I took the car to a local sports car specialist to check and adjust the geometry. This is something I know absolutely nothing about, so just wondering if someone can shed some light on the geometry print out he gave me, showing the previous set up and the changes he's made. It's clear from forum posts that getting the geometry right really affects handling and tyre wear. Probably the only thing I think I've noticed since I had it done on the two journeys I've made is that the steering wheel seems to be very slightly aligned to the right when driving in a straight line. I'm pretty sure it wasn't like that before:


I know there are folk on here who absolutely understand the magic art of geometry and wheel alignment, so does the above look okay? Any thoughts on impact on handling and tyre wear with this set up? Should the steering wheel be absolutely straight?

 

[Raffles]

The after printout shows everything green and sat nicely within the recommendations. That should see you nicely for wear and tear on the tyres and the new bushes.

Looking at the before readout - post Dales work, this would be completely normal. Dale would have to put it back together by eye, knowledge and best guess. He could never get it exact without specialist equipment such as the Hunter kit.

As for the steering wheel, these wheel/drivers seat clamps can move a little while the adjustments are made underneath. I’ve had this before on another car and it drove my OCD wild!

All in all, the car should feel noticeably better on the road after Dales work and the full alignment.

Enjoy it...,


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[TimR]

Because of the natural camber on most roads ( draining to the side), in the UK, a lot of guys will set them up with a little right hand, to combat the tendency to travel to the verge and into the ditch...
Its normal....

 

[Mr S]

The other reason for the wonky steering, could be tyre wear as it is at the moment with the previous settings. When things wear more evenly, it could level itself out. Had this before.

 

[Oneball]

Give them a ring and tell them the wheel isn’t straight, I’d hope they’d put it right.

 

[Zep]

As the owner of a big OCD issue, I would want the front right to be in the deeper part of the green section for camber, but it’s probably just because it wasn’t fully centred. As Oneball said, call them, they will probably sort it.

 

[Wattie]

...... noticed since I had it done on the two journeys I've made is that the steering wheel seems to be very slightly aligned to the right when driving in a straight line. I'm pretty sure it wasn't like that before:

View attachment 74226
I know there are folk on here who absolutely understand the magic art of geometry and wheel alignment, so does the above look okay? Any thoughts on impact on handling and tyre wear with this set up? Should the steering wheel be absolutely straight?

That would annoy me each and every time I drove the car....it needs rectifying.

 

[Sam McGoo]

That would annoy me each and every time I drove the car....it needs rectifying.

It's not so bad on a car with a uniformly round steering wheel, but on a more sculptured one like the GT, it's a nightmare.

I had it with mine after geo, took it bad and he adjusted it straight. As others have said, the clamp can drift a bit during adjustment.

 

[Wattie]

Put it this way, if you went to buy a car and the wheel was off centre you’d be thinking, this is the clearest indication that something isn’t right.
Apart from the feeling you get through your **** when you’re pushing on and the sense of your in control what’s happening around you ( when you’re at one with the car ), most importantly is the steering wheel lets that lets you feel everything and adjust......it shouldn’t be squint.

 

[rs48635]

^^^ agree with many that wheel should be dead ahead. Any decent shop will tweak this for you. Similarly prospective buyer will have concerns.
And like Zep - I would like all the measurements in the middle of their range. If I was doing it myself this might take four days of twiddling.
.....back in the real world my QP lived on the wonk for 6 years until visit to SportsItalia.