maverick

i just had the automatic transmission replaced in my 2001 civic and they had to essentially take out the engine/transmission to swap out the tranny. because of this, they also had to disconnect the tie rods, control arms, etc.

my mechanic didn't have an alignment machine, so he recommended i get a wheel alignment for my civic.

my question is simple, which is better, a 2 or 4 wheel alignment?

i figured a 4 wheel alignment is probably better. but since they obviously didn't do anything to the rear wheels, wouldn't a 2 wheel alignment be just as good, assuming that the back wheels never went out of alignment? (before the tranny was swapped the car tracked straight and true when the steering wheel was horizontal)

tia

kingjames1983

if money isn't really a problem I would do the 4 wheel so you knwo everything is proper

k_r_a_c_k_e_r

iTrader: (3)

yup.

bbarbulo

iTrader: (2)

i'm not sure about the 01 civics, but 88-00 civics had no built in adjustment except toe. camber and caster could not be adjusted. i'd go for a 2 wheel alignment unless the rear susp was removed or hit (like a curb or something).

get familiar with your susp and know where adjustments can or cannot be made. 95% of the time alignments are just a rip off.

maverick

i'd decided to get a 4 wheel alignment. i watched the guy setup the alignment jig and it was kinda cool. he had a new setup with laser alignment jigs and attached them to all 4 wheels. although i didn't think i'd need a 4 wheel alignment, his alignment jib did show my back wheels were off by a small amount. he eventually aligned all 4 wheel and the car does track straighter now, so overall i'm happy with his job. he was quite good, quick and competent. and his price was super to boot!

driven905

what shop did you go to?

maverick

i went to

K.S.L. Automotive Service
7 Heritage Rd
Markham

ask for Malik. the entire job took about 45 to 60 minutes, i really wasn't paying attention to the time. and he did a pretty good job imho.

hula_balu

how much?

maverick

i paid $70

spike

I know when i do tranny at my shop we have never sent the cars out after for a alinement. Even when you undo the outer tie rods, they should not turn at all, so really nothing in the alinement would get changed. So i don't know why he would say to you to get a alinement after word's.

maverick

true enough, but the car was definitely out of alignment after the swap. it was tracking relatively straight before the swap. i wasn't doing much that afternoon and malik let me watch as he did the alignment. it was neat. everything was computerized and his jig was all laser alignment with data going to the computer via bluetooth. i saaw the results of the before and after and have the prinout.

as a side note, the civic does drive straight with the steering wheel centered. so overall i happy. the tranny works ok. i haven't had any serious problems with it so far (knock on wood). with the decent price and quick service, i really can't complain about it.

as a side not for those with 2001 civics with automatic transmissions, they are know to blow without any warning. the 2001 civic is #5 on the list. click on the link "worst vehicles"

www.carcomplaints.com

Moe_Mentum

Thanks for the suggestion Maverick went there today. I was very impressed with the knowledge of Malik. All in got my toe aligned, front only since the rear was ceased. Going to be getting a front and rear camber kit this summer. Camber in the rear was pretty bad.

Rear Left- -3.0 deg
Rear Right- -2.6 Deg

subsonic-civic

iTrader: (2)

oh damnnnn.. i just had my tranny swapped too, and they didnt do alignment. I should get that checked out soon....