Rear alignment on a 2004 DTS

[PAUL T]

Recently, I bought new tires for my wife's 2004 DTS. The old tires were worn thread bare on the inside especially in the rear. So I opted for an alignment which was free after buying the tires. After the tech put it on the alignment machine he told me to come and take a look. The front was within specs but the rear was squatted, so I told him to adjust the rear. That's when he told me that there was no adjustment in the rear. So, do I check to see if the air shocks are working properly? Is there a height adjustment on the shocks like earlier models? Where do I start? With the price of tires now days, I really do not want these tires to wear out prematurely.

[Cadillac Jim]

The 2004 FSM shows camber and toe-in specs for the rear, and gives a procedure for adjusting the toe-in, but it does not give instructions for adjusting the rear camber.

Bad rear camber can be due to wear or something bit a little in potholes and such. If a bad bushing is the problem, the wheel will be noticeably loose up-and-down and possibly left-and-right with the weight off the wheel and the emergency brake off. If so, the suspension needs parts.

If it doesn't need parts and it does need the camber adjusted, a suspension shop can do it. If the dealer you are going to doesn't know how, you will want it done by someone with more experience. Most dealers have jobbers that do that kind of work for them; cars in warranty and even new cars need it occasionally. But if they have no clue, simply call around until you find a suspension shop that will take it.

[PAUL T]

I am still looking into the problem, but I found out that there is an adjustment on the level position. I have yet to establish if the ELC is working or not. I have just not had time to look at it lately. I will report back when I find out something.

[Cadillac Jim]

Any good tire store can do it, including Goodyear tire stores, NTB, etc. For a specialist, look for people who specialize in wheel alignment in the local Yellow Pages such as Bear Alignment shops, etc.

My dad had a jobber shop and he did an occasional rear alignment, mostly on trucks but occasionally on a car (including mine) in the 1960's, when cars were mostly solid rear axle.