Front end alignment

[digi168]

I was at my Mazda dealer yesterday, and while talking to the sales people/friends of mine, the service guy comes out and ask me "do you find a problem with torque steer"?

I replied not really only if the wheels are turned at a stop and I accelerate hard..

He then ask for my keys and says that they have new alignment specs from Mazda and will be doing all MSP's...

So I give him the keys, my car goes to the shop they redo the alignment to the new spec and honestly a good portion of the torque steer is gone...it is still there but not as noticable...

Unfortunatly I didn't get the TSB number but I will try to get it and post it...so if you have an MSP ask your service dept. about the new alignment spec and they should correct it for you free of charge...

[SomaMP3]

The service guy probably just wanted to drive your car:D

[digi168]

all of fifty feet??? I don't think so, plus they have one from mazda canada there with Ontario plates that they can drive around in...:D

[AkiraFist]

awesome :D

[SomaMP3]

geez....we don't even have one in winnipeg:(

[Grimace]

I was thinking there was something up with the torque steer. Thats good news! If you can get that TSB #, that would be appreciated. Otherwise I can guess that dealer might forget about it or whatnot when I pick up my car (whenever that may be).
I was about to start a new thread about checking your tire pressure, because on a normal FWD car you'll get a lot of torque steer with one over/underinflated tire. Add LSD and it gets a lot worse!

[JasonH]

I wonder if the car I drove Monday already had the new alignment specs? It seemed to have a very stiff feel on center. I wonder if that's part of the fix, align it so it doesn't want to turn on its own?

I didn't notice any torque steer on my test drive.

[Grimace]

I know in my test drive of dpmmsp's car there was zero off-center slop. Maybe that is your "steering stiffness?" It was an unbelievably good steering feel compared to my car, which is no slouch in itself. Very linear and direct.

[mp3boy1984]

does anyone know if i take my car to get it aligned at a dealership what they will say or do because i have voided my warranty, and my car isn't emissions legal? Will they fine me or anything?

[JasonH]

Originally posted by Grimace
I know in my test drive of dpmmsp's car there was zero off-center slop. Maybe that is your "steering stiffness?" It was an unbelievably good steering feel compared to my car, which is no slouch in itself. Very linear and direct.
I guess I was trying to say it had a firm tendency to want to stay pointed straight. Not in a bad way, mind you, but noticably firmer compared to other cars including the Protege ES. That, and the lack of torque steer, makes me think it had the proper alignment.

[scapamouche]

I noticed that strong on-center feel myself. MUCH stronger than on my previous car.... Almost disconcerting at times.

[SomaMP3]

mp3boy1984,

Alignements are covered under warranty anyways(doh)

[slug420]

alignments are covered under warranty??

[Dexter]

highly doubt it...its not like they can build a car that can keep perfect alignment throughout its life that they should warranty it, you know what im saying?

[SomaMP3]

whoops....sorry guys... i was tired as hell:o ...that was supposed to say....alignments are NOT covered under warranty....sorry about that. (doh) (doh)

[Newf]

they are covered if you have the freedom driving package. Mine are.

[scott42]

whats the freedom driving package?

[digi168]

type of extended warranty...I am guessing...my dealership offers something similar called gold star...

[blynzoo]

Originally posted by slug420
alignments are covered under warranty?? For 12k miles, they are. After that, of course not.

[Newf]

freedom driving = Maintenance plan. Pay 800+tax up front. And never worry about paying for Maintenance for 4 yrs. All checkups, brake pads, rotors, fliuds, free wipers every year, aligments, rotations ( free anyway usually), camber adjustments etc.

[MikeyG_U2]

I've noticed the on-center stiffness as well, it's definitely noticeable compared to my old GTI's steering feel, but the whole thing is stiffer, so I paid it no attention. My car does have gobs of torque steer though, pretty much anytime I accelerate while turning I have to hold onto the wheel for dear life! If there is a bulletin about this, I'd like to know the number also.

[slug420]

id buy that freedom driving jobber, i dont think they offer it here in the US tho, at least not that complete

[MPChi]

Seriously. Alignment IS covered by your normal warranty for the first year or 12k miles, which ever comes first. It is written in your Warrenty Booklet when you buy your car. After that, you are on your own. I had mine (MP3) done once before it expires, and its free :) So take advantage of this while your car is still new enough.

[jroof]

Has anyone been able to find out the TSB # for this? Torque steer is crazy on my car when you really jump on it.

[gyrospeed]

I just had my oil changed from Mazda and asked about the new alignment specs. They told me that they already did them when I picked up my car back in the beginning of December. So I told them about Digi getting his done in Van a week ago and the service tells me that they probably didn't change the specs back then but should've. Shouldn't all the MSP's have been changed before everyone picked up their cars? I haven't noticed much torque steer on my car at all.

[Traveler]

Just give me the specs. I'm going to put the Mazdaspeed stuff in my 01 ES and would love to have the specs. I do my own alignments. One of the perks of working where I do!