I have no idea what my mechanic told me!

[geronimo]

I went in for an alignment today. After an hour or so, the mechanic brought me back and told me that he needed to install something called an 'accenture kit.' I tried googling it and nothing came up so I'm pretty sure I have the wrong name, but that's what it sounded like.

Apparently, my wheels were tilting in to (or falling away from) each other a couple degrees (something I thought my ball joints were supposed to take care of.)

Do you know what the correct name is? What it actually does? Any knowledge would be helpful.

[geronimo]

Update: I figured out what my mechanic told me. I called him back and he told me it was an eccentric kit. I looked around and couldn't find it which was clue one that this guy was jerkin me around. I was looking at camber bolts and the mechanic was charging me almost double.

Clue No. 2 came when I called the Goodyear near me. he said fixing the camber was part of the alignment and that the bolt was no charge.

I'm heading to the goodyear in a few for the alignment. Does this sound legit? Do you think this mechanic was trying to pull one on me?

[soonercruiser]

Yup! Aftermarket camber kit!
This sometimes has to be done when installing "lowering springs" the PT, because of the increased angle of tilt on the suspension parts like the control arms.

[geronimo]

Originally Posted by soonercruiser

Yup! Aftermarket camber kit!
This sometimes has to be done when installing "lowering springs" the PT, because of the increased angle of tilt on the suspension parts like the control arms.

Is it ever necessary if I'm not installing lowering springs?

[Mean Green]

Originally Posted by geronimo

Is it ever necessary if I'm not installing lowering springs?

Can't say if it is ever necessary for stock springs. I've had two PTs and my Neon lowered and I've never needed them. It's really no biggie if you need the camber kit. Either it works or it doesn't. Can't hurt.

[CREWZIN]

The "kit" consists of two bolts (one for either side) that take the place of the bolts that are already on the car holding the lower part of each strut. The OEM bolts are completely round and there's very little adjustment that can be done with them. The new "kit" bolts are oval and when turning them while they are in place adjusts the Camber up to about 3 degrees. The kit usually costs about $20-30 so if the Goodyear dealer will supply them free, go for it, you just saved yourself some money.

These are on eBay (you only need two) to align the rear you need spacers.

[geronimo]

Update: Had the Goodyear shop align the car and put in the camber kit. Car runs real straight, except now I'm worried my mechanic may have missed a step.

When I visited her after the alignment, I gave the front wheels a little push/pull. There was a little freedom of movement + I heard this little ticking sound coming from what seemed like the control arm. Now granted, I have never given her tires the push/pull test, but I'm worried. Is that noise normal? Should the front wheels have that wiggle room?

[MX-5]

The camber kit may have been installed because the tech missed the fact that the lower control arm bushings are faulty. They fail by the thousands. A control arm resting incorrectly will change the alignment.

[geronimo]

I took a look at my chilton's manuel and the bushings don't look too hard to replace. Any experience from a 'do it yourselfer?'