Just had an alignment, service guy said the rear wheels don't have any way to adjust them, so they leave them as-is; is that correct?

 

No. The rear suspension is adjustable for toe and camber. The camber adjustment requires the use of special shims.

edit:deleted mention of caster, not correct for *rear* suspension.

 

And the special shims used in a read alingment are pricey at the dealership...

 

Is this something reasonable to go back to an alignment shop for adjustment? Will they typically be familiar with shim-based adjustment? Any diagrams for the toe/caster so I can just point to it for them? If the car drives fine, is this worth bothering over?

They said something about having a solid rear axle with nothing to adjust... It seems unthinkable that Jag would stick a rear live-axle on a VDP...

 

Either the shop knows nothing about Jaguars, or did not even look at the rear suspension.

If you only got charged for a front alignment, then the rear alignment would be an extra charge anyways.

Why go back to a shop to do work that they do not know how to do? That would only make things worse.

The rear alignment seldom needs actual adjustment. If it tracks well, and there is no obvious uneven tire wear, then you may leave well enough alone.

Very few non-Jaguar shops will be familiar with the shim based camber adjustment. Indeed, even Jaguar dealers may not like to do them as it involves trial and error as well as undoing the axle shafts.

BTW, even front end alignment is not a maintenance item. You only do a wheel alignment when it is required.

 

Go to another shop, one that provides you with a print out of the front and rear alignment specifications. This shows you the before (how your car arrived) and after alignment. This is common practice for any reputable shop

 

Can someone please post a diagram/photo of where to adjust the rear toe and caster? thank you

 

This is the bolt for adjusting the Toe at the rear. Loosen the nut at the other side and just turn to adjust.

Don't know about castor.

 

Brendan, you rock! thank you

Anyone know where the caster adjustment is? Perhaps the bolt to the right of the toe in Brendan's picture?

 

CAMBER AND TOE (That's all)

bob gauff

 

THERE IS NO CASTER ADJUSTMENT IN THE REAR. LIKE BOB SAID ONLY CAMBER AND TOE. AND THE TOE IN THE REAR SHOULD ALWAYS BE CHECKED AND ADJUSTED BECAUSE IT AFFECTS THE FRONT SETTINGS. YOU SET REAR FIRST AND THEN THE FRONT. ON THE CAMBER, IT REALLY DOES NOT NEED TO HAVE SHIMS INSTALLED UINLESS ITS ABOVE A -1.5 OR HIGHER. BUT THEN IF THIS IS THE CASE YOU HAVE EITHER BENT COMPONENTS OR SAGGING SPRINGS THAT DROPPED RIDE HEIGHT. i HAVE SET CAMBER ON 3 REAR ENDS IN 15 YRS IF THATS A GOOD INDICATION FOR YOU AS TO THE NEED.

 

Thanks for the correction. Brain must not have been engaged at the time.

 

The factory seems to use the 4mm shim in almost every car. I usually keep a few 6mm shims in stock for the times I need to have the camber adjusted.
Like BRUTAL says, the camber has to be pretty far from spec to cause tire wear or handling faults. I seem to do more 6mm shims lately because the springs might be getting weaker and need the thicker shims.

Things tend to sag with old age???????????

bob gauff

 

thank you!

 

I have a photo, but do not no how to insert it?
my rear tires have the same wear on each side, the middle to about 2" is worn (flat and smooth). the middle to outside edge has normal wear.
thank you,
2005 xk8 62K miles
i added the photo in "my garage"

 

youre tires are just plain worn out. they should have been replaced along time ago. yoiu dont have an issue other than riding on those way too long. Must have been real fun in the rain

 

This car does not get "out in the rain" . I still think that the wear is suspect.

 

youre right, get new tires and an alignment, youre the Doc
Cheers

 

Ok, thanks for the reply.

 

is it the same idea on the xj6 for adjusting camber and toe? someone says you have to buy the bolt that adjusts the toe and camber on xj6?