I've looked high and low and can't find the definitive answer...is it necessary to do a four-wheel alignment on a 2005 xB? Or just the front end? Thanks

 

There are really no adjustments on the rear end--or so I have been told. When I got my drop I had an allignment and they adjusted the front but just gave me the measurements on the back.

 

Just the front. The only thing you can really adjust on the rear is camber.

 

no (stock) rear ajustments on the xB1.
the only real way would be with hub shims.

 

The only allignment would be if it were in an accident and needed to be brought back to factory specs.

 

I work at a dealership and I have full access to a laser alignment machine and there is absolutely no rear alignment on our xBs...
Now of course you can do camber on the rear with a camber shim kit, I think that's what it's called, I'm sure someone will correct me...

 

The alignment on an xB is called a four wheel thrust alignment. Basically what happens is that the alignment in the front is based off of the alignment in the back, just like a truck or any vehicle with a solid axle or torsion beam suspension. So what happens is, if all of the suspension components in the rear are in great condition and if the torsion beam is not bent, the front suspension with align great, if components in the rear are worn or the torsion beam is bent, the front suspension will never align correctly.

Have you ever seen a truck that looks like it drives kind of sideways? A lot of the time it is because it was hit in the rear or the axle has shifted and it was aligned based on the geometry of the rear suspension.

Hope that helps.

 

thats what you call "dog walkin"

 

?

 

A dog will walk "sideways" sometimes to appear bigger during a confrontation. My little dog does that with our cat when they are playing--it is a very funny sight to see.

 

For cars its called " Off Tracking " and like is mentioned it happens from a rear collison and the rear was never set back to specs, or couldnt be set cause the damage was too bad.

 

Do you use Hunter machines? I have two 811 systems at work.
If you go into the Winalign "tools and kits" menu it should show a shim for adjusting both rear camber and toe at the same time. I've used it before,it's part # 75800 from Specialty Products.

 

Almost right. It's Dog- Tracking. Mostly seen on vehicles with leaf springs on the rear that are not adjusted straight.