 wheelsinmotion
MEG Corporal
Loc: Watford, London
Reg: 05-07-05
Feedback Rating (0)
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18-07-05 08:30 PM - Post#693151
Unless you need it!!!! tyre wear and handling problems most times belong to someone else and at best involve nothing more than a good read, but when it's you, your loss where did you go and why?
The reason for this post is education, i want to compile a list of centres Good/ Bad and a list of costs for all to read in advance of the geometry...example:- i asked a 'crap fit' fitter 'Do you do geometry' and he said yes 'how many sugars'.....i rest my case.
what i would like is this
1:where did you go and why did you go there.
2:what did you ask for..was it
a: tracking
b: four wheel alignment
c: full geometry
3: what was the problem, was it tyre wear or handling
4:what was the cost beit alignment or geometry.
All reads a bit heavy but the conclusion can display information that will help other members.
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 Monkeyra
Webmaster
Loc: West London
Reg: 25-06-01
Feedback Rating (8)
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18-07-05 08:33 PM - Post#693154
In response to wheelsinmotion
I'll make this a sticky tony
2005 ST220
AP Racing Brakes, 18" Team Dynamics, KW Coilovers, Quaife Diff, JP Exhaust, Pipercross VIS, Bluefin, Supaglass
{Car Diary}
1990 MR2 Turbo (Trackday Slag)
Rollcage, Coilovers, Racelogic Traction Control, HKS Exhaust, TRD ARB's, Cusco Braces, Bride Seats, 6-point Harness, BuddyClub P1's, Kaaz Diff
{Car Diary} |
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 HJS
All hail the mighty Vulcan - the mother of Concorde
Loc: Humberstone, Leicester
Reg: 22-02-04
Feedback Rating (0)
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18-07-05 11:20 PM - Post#693356
In response to wheelsinmotion
Unless you need it!!!! tyre wear and handling problems most times belong to someone else and at best involve nothing more than a good read, but when it's you, your loss where did you go and why?
The reason for this post is education, i want to compile a list of centres Good/ Bad and a list of costs for all to read in advance of the geometry...example:- i asked a 'crap fit' fitter 'Do you do geometry' and he said yes 'how many sugars'.....i rest my case.
what i would like is this
1:where did you go and why did you go there.
2:what did you ask for..was it
a: tracking
b: four wheel alignment
c: full geometry
3: what was the problem, was it tyre wear or handling
4:what was the cost beit alignment or geometry.
All reads a bit heavy but the conclusion can display information that will help other members.
May I ask for some advice?
My near side front tyre wears on the outside edge, which I think is a result of hitting the end of a curb hidden by undergrowth in Devon a couple of years back. Although the speed was only about 25MPH it took out both near side tyres  (great way to end the last day of the holiday). Although there are no problems with uneaven wear on the rear tyre, would I be as well to go for four wheel alignment, or just the tracking?
Also, am I correct in saying that if the tracking is adjusted properly the steering wheel should remain properly aligned? This is the first car I've had where the steering wheel is dead centre (or near as damn it) and I'm keen to keep it that way!
Finally, there is a place local to me which does lazer alignment (I think that's what they call it). Before I ring them for a quote, please could you give me a rough idea of what I should expect to pay for whatever you recomend?
Thanks in advance for your time to answer that little lot!  
1998 Ford Mondeo 2.0LX Estate in juice green.
Upgrades: Ghia X 16" alloys, 6 speed wiper stalk, map lights & fake wood.
1997 Ford Ka2 RS (really small!) in amparo blue.
No upgrades and none planned.
For information about Avro Vulcan XH558 visit www.vulcantothesky.org |
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wheelsinmotion
MEG Corporal
Loc: Watford, London
Reg: 05-07-05
Feedback Rating (0)
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19-07-05 07:22 PM - Post#693848
In response to HJS
Tracking is 'pants' dont wast your money.
Four wheel alignment is better but not a geometry.
Geometry is conclusive this will detect the problem, from what you say i reads like the steering arm is slighly bent on the nsf or the castor angle is to low so the turning radii is to small. the cost in the UK shows real disparity, if you go to my site wheels-inmotion.co.uk then go to 'trusted centres' there are a few examples.
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emark
MEG Corporal
Loc: bradford
Reg: 07-08-04
Feedback Rating (0)
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19-07-05 08:07 PM - Post#693895
In response to wheelsinmotion
before i replaced my track rod ends. the steering was spot on all central with no driffting. and the tyres evenly worn.
but after letting rapid fit do the front alighnment the steering wheel was at a angle while drivein in a straight line.
so when i got home i made my own adjustment on each rod end by a quarter of a turn on each side until the steering wheel was central. that was two year ago and tyres have all worn even.
maybe a was just lucky getting the write position.
but up untill last month when i did the subframe bushes and replaced another track rod end. i have had badluck with a 4 wheel alighnment place the steering after was unbeliveable almost unside down. i only got 30 foot down the road to realise this was a bodge job took it straight back. and this time watched him do it all the adjustment was on one side only. after explaineing to him how he should be makeing equal amounts in his adjusting of the rod ends on both sides he did. and it was a lot better but still not quite central to drive.. and yes the subframe has been alighned with the pins. that cost me £20 the place was called BTS {stay well clear} i only whent there because a bloke at work told me they did a good jod of his wheel alighnment. he said they locked the steering to keep it central. so that convinced me.
who's on lime wire. anything good to share PM me  |
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emark
MEG Corporal
Loc: bradford
Reg: 07-08-04
Feedback Rating (0)
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19-07-05 08:19 PM - Post#693907
In response to emark
if all meggers on here were to record the number ov threads left over at the end of the trackrod ends. only if there steering was setup properly. and fitted with ford track rod ends then the numbers recorded should be about the same.
this would help people who have just fitted new rod ends or who want to get there toe settings as near parralel as possable.
i'l start  the passengers side had 11 threads
the other had 12
| who's on lime wire. anything good to share PM me |
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wheelsinmotion
MEG Corporal
Loc: Watford, London
Reg: 05-07-05
Feedback Rating (0)
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19-07-05 08:33 PM - Post#693918
In response to emark
The problem with fast fit is that in most cases its uneducated in the area and methode of wheel alignment, the most common fault is an 'after adjustment' steering wheel offline, this is to some extent cosmetic but never the less wrong.
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HJS
All hail the mighty Vulcan - the mother of Concorde
Loc: Humberstone, Leicester
Reg: 22-02-04
Feedback Rating (0)
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19-07-05 09:52 PM - Post#694038
In response to wheelsinmotion
Tracking is 'pants' dont wast your money.
Four wheel alignment is better but not a geometry.
Geometry is conclusive this will detect the problem, from what you say i reads like the steering arm is slighly bent on the nsf or the castor angle is to low so the turning radii is to small. the cost in the UK shows real disparity, if you go to my site wheels-inmotion.co.uk then go to 'trusted centres' there are a few examples.
Assuming it is only 'slightly' bent, would the steering arm need replacing, or would it be possible to adjust accordingly?
1998 Ford Mondeo 2.0LX Estate in juice green.
Upgrades: Ghia X 16" alloys, 6 speed wiper stalk, map lights & fake wood.
1997 Ford Ka2 RS (really small!) in amparo blue.
No upgrades and none planned.
For information about Avro Vulcan XH558 visit www.vulcantothesky.org |
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Dr_Who
Megger
Loc: Nottingham
Reg: 10-11-03
Feedback Rating (0)
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20-07-05 08:39 AM - Post#694211
In response to wheelsinmotion
1. http://www.alignment-services.co.uk/ following lower arm replacement
2. 4 Wheel Alignment, only the front 2 could and were adjusted)
3. Lower arm bush was worn causing outside tyre wear on front nearside. The engineer seemed to already know what work I had done to the car in a psychic kinda way.
4. Around £30 to adjust 2 tyres and £35 to adjust 4 (ex VAT)
| 1.8LX MK1 Mondeo Saloon in Caymen Blue owned since 1996
Upgrades so far : Neutradol Air Freshener, 2 child seats..... |
Edited by Dr_Who on 20-07-05 08:39 AM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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wheelsinmotion
MEG Corporal
Loc: Watford, London
Reg: 05-07-05
Feedback Rating (0)
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20-07-05 08:15 PM - Post#694633
In response to HJS
Assuming it is stightly bent, replace it? remember you already have a tyre wear problem which is not alignment. a bent steering arm is shorter during 'TOE OUT ON TURNS' regardless of the alignment position.
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