Factory suspension alignment - 2003-04 Mach 1 Registry Owners Club

CA Lightfoot · 11-11-2003, 12:28 AM

Just got my new DSG '03 Mach 5-speed. 500 miles in 2 weeks. Omigod it's fast! And somehow I've kept it under 5k rpm during break-in. Jeez, so much low-end grunt. How do you guys NOT get a ticket everytime you get behind the wheel? Maybe it's my imagination but I think the Mach is some kinda cop magnet.

Steering wheel was a bit crooked, so I took it to a local alignment shop with an xlnt rep, been in business over 20 years. Manager said my alignment was right-on EXCEPT the toe-in (I think that's what he said) was 3/8 inch off. That's a lot, he said it was good I brought it in. I thought $25 well spent. Steering feels about the same, maybe a bit lighter & more responsive. Highway tracking was good & seems the same. Peace of mind way up.

Anyone with suspension alignment advise? Was the factory alignment best, should I have left it unchanged? I've been reading this website for months and don't recall any comments.

This is my first new V8 since the 5.0 in my long-gone '79 LX auto. That was just ok-fast. Nothing compared to the Mach. I just can't believe how fast the Mach feels.

11-11-2003, 02:38 AM

I'm taking mine in for an alignment as well.

fastgenious · 11-11-2003, 11:20 AM

Before I purchased my Mach1, I noticed that the steering wheel was cocked to the left. The dealer realigned the Mach and straightened the steering wheel and it now tracks perfect down any road. I love it, quess I have been lucky so far with zero problems and NO rattles...

TommyT · 11-12-2003, 11:00 AM

Just a word of advice to those with alignment issues. There is no reason to spend good money on having your car realigned anywhere but your Ford dealer. Alignments are covered under warranty for the first year of ownership.

11-12-2003, 01:23 PM

TommyT,

I wasn't aware of that. Is it in the warranty package given with the car? I don't remember anything about alignment issues, but I very well could have missed it. Thanks a ton for the heads up.

r

11-11-2003, 12:28 AM	#1
CA Lightfoot Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 407	Factory suspension alignment Just got my new DSG '03 Mach 5-speed. 500 miles in 2 weeks. Omigod it's fast! And somehow I've kept it under 5k rpm during break-in. Jeez, so much low-end grunt. How do you guys NOT get a ticket everytime you get behind the wheel? Maybe it's my imagination but I think the Mach is some kinda cop magnet. Steering wheel was a bit crooked, so I took it to a local alignment shop with an xlnt rep, been in business over 20 years. Manager said my alignment was right-on EXCEPT the toe-in (I think that's what he said) was 3/8 inch off. That's a lot, he said it was good I brought it in. I thought $25 well spent. Steering feels about the same, maybe a bit lighter & more responsive. Highway tracking was good & seems the same. Peace of mind way up. Anyone with suspension alignment advise? Was the factory alignment best, should I have left it unchanged? I've been reading this website for months and don't recall any comments. This is my first new V8 since the 5.0 in my long-gone '79 LX auto. That was just ok-fast. Nothing compared to the Mach. I just can't believe how fast the Mach feels. __________________ '09 Corvette Z51 auto '05 Ford Escape V6 AWD '03 Mach 1 DSG 5-sp (sold 7/06) '79 Mustang LX 5.0 auto (long gone)

11-12-2003, 11:00 AM	#4
TommyT Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Staten Island, NY Posts: 62	Just a word of advice to those with alignment issues. There is no reason to spend good money on having your car realigned anywhere but your Ford dealer. Alignments are covered under warranty for the first year of ownership. __________________ 2003 Azure Blue 5 speed with IUP.

11-11-2003, 02:38 AM	#2
loveOliver Guest Posts: n/a	I'm taking mine in for an alignment as well.

11-11-2003, 11:20 AM	#3
fastgenious Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 141	Before I purchased my Mach1, I noticed that the steering wheel was cocked to the left. The dealer realigned the Mach and straightened the steering wheel and it now tracks perfect down any road. I love it, quess I have been lucky so far with zero problems and NO rattles...

11-12-2003, 01:23 PM	#5
loveOliver Guest Posts: n/a	TommyT, I wasn't aware of that. Is it in the warranty package given with the car? I don't remember anything about alignment issues, but I very well could have missed it. Thanks a ton for the heads up. r

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