Miatapower List Archive

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Mail From: "Mitch Williams" <(email redacted)>

Ok guys, I could use some input on my 95 Miata alignment.

I had the alignment redone yesterday on near stock height Miata (12.25"
front, 12.5" rear from edge of center cap to bottom of fender lip). My
RA1's for track use were wearing really bad on the outside edges.
Previously I had in the front .80 negative camber, 3.40 positive caster and
.06 total toe in; rear was 1.4 negative camber .12 total toe-in. I asked
for as much negative camber as possible and got front: 1.7 negative camber,
2.40 caster .06 total toe in; rear now has 2.20 negative camber, .06 total
toe-in.

What I want to ask about is the new caster. The alignment guy (who appears
to know what he's doing), said that was all the caster he could get and keep
the negative camber high. I was sitting in the car, so I couldn't see his
work, but I could see the read-out on the digital rack computer screen and
he would move the caster around a lot, going negative and come back to the
2.40 positive caster....which did appear to be as high as he could get.

The steering feel is now lighter, which with a power rack without power is
nice, but I'm concerned about losing negative camber gain when the wheels
are turned. Do Miatas gain much negative camber in a turn from positive
caster? Is there anything bad associated with this low a caster? The
steering wheel does still try to straighten out on my street tires in
turning on the street...but I don't feel it is as strong a pull to go
straight. Don't know yet how it will react as far as unwinding for me
loaded up coming out of a turn on the track.

Knowledgable comments / experienced comments would be appreciated.

Maniac Mitch