More going on than meets the eye!

[Cascadia_302]

After installing my new 6GR 19x10 wheels and 285 BFG*g-Force COMP-2 A/S tires it became all to appearent the rear subframe was mis-aligned as the LH rear tire protrudes approx .50" out from the fender, or so l thought.
The thing that concerned me was the RH tire was flush with the fender, pretty close to the fitment Paul@N4SM had designed for these (+35 offset) wheels on the rear of the S550's.
So l thought yeah ok, l'll go ahead and order the Steeda subframe alignment kit and hope for the best.
Well there is no best, at least not for me and this car. The subframe alignment kit was installed and nada, zilch, nothin. Absolutley no movement or realignment of the subframe, at least that l can perceive. l have the exact same flush fitment of the right tire and the same .50"ish tire/wheel protrusion on the left side.
Not at all blaming the alignment kit, if the subframe was never misaligned to begin with the kit won't alter or correct a mis-alignment.


Now l ask myself and anyone else that can offer some insight.....WTF is going on here?
l recall another member posting a similar problem in the "wheels and tires" section, but never heard if he ever figured anything out with it.

Camber is only a bit better by .25° on the right or a .13" difference using Offset = Diameter x sin(θ)

In the pics (hard to see) below l laid a straight edge level across (touching) each tire in the same place and in the same way.
First pic is the right rear, second is the left side.

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[sunfigt]

I wonder if this is the reason why Ford did not bolt it straight to the chassis and left alignment room to correct manufacturing imperfections. I am not saying it is right by any means, just saying that it was cheaper for ford to adjust for lack of quality than fixing manufacturing problems to produce a higher quality.

 

[AJ ROJO]

Have you taken measurements of the wheels? I had the same issue on a 69 mustang I once had (thinking the frame was out of spec) and spent countless hours measuring and trying to varify everything was square. In the end and out of complete desperation I decided to just check the specs on the wheels. Low and behold the American made wheels I ordered from a very reputable wheel company had a defect or laps in quality control or whatever... Luckily the manufacturer was very understanding and sent out a new wheel. Once I received the new wheel the frame alignment issue I thought I had was gone.

Bottom line: check your wheels before you rip your hair out in frustration.

good luck and keep us posted.

 

[Road Dog]

^^^ What he said: it could be a difference in wheel offset like maybe 10mm

 

[Cascadia_302]

Have you taken measurements of the wheels? I had the same issue on a 69 mustang I once had (thinking the frame was out of spec) and spent countless hours measuring and trying to varify everything was square. In the end and out of complete desperation I decided to just check the specs on the wheels. Low and behold the American made wheels I ordered from a very reputable wheel company had a defect or laps in quality control or whatever... Luckily the manufacturer was very understanding and sent out a new wheel. Once I received the new wheel the frame alignment issue I thought I had was gone.

Bottom line: check your wheels before you rip your hair out in frustration.

good luck and keep us posted.

Thanks, a good point and that did actually enter my mind. When l go to put my cradle lockouts on l'll take the left front and toss it on the rear and see how it looks.
I was really hoping the alignment kit would resolve the issue and when installing the front left alignment sleeve l had the same difficulty as others mentioned with getting the bolt to thread, obviously this isn't necessarily an indication of subframe misalignment.
I'll also probably have my camber adjusted to match the right rear, which is at -2.05° where as the left rear is at -1.78°. Not nearly enough to completely tuck the tire inboard of the fender edge but it should help.

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