Four wheel alignment - cost? advice?

BigAde · 30th October 2018, 19:46

On checking the state of my summer tyres today I've noticed uneven tyre wear - the outside shoulder of at least two tyres are worn more than the inside. I have to buy two new winter tyres anyway and I'm wondering whether I should take advantage of Just Tyres four-wheel alignment service for which they charge an extra £32.99. Does this seem reasonable?

I think I've seen it recommended on here previously that all four wheels are aligned at the same time. Given the state of Sussex roads, hitting a pothole is almost a daily occurrence, so it seems sensible to get them checked.

Any thoughts?

trikey · 30th October 2018, 19:50

Not a bad price, I paid £45 to have four wheel alignment done.

Comfortably Numb · 30th October 2018, 19:53

That sounds like a bargain to me. But make sure you replace any worn suspension parts first or it will all be in vain. I have re-tracked the front, and realigned the rear suspension on my 75 since it wore the inside edges of the front tyres down to the wire, and the rears to a 2 or 3mm difference, inside to outside. Effectively halving the life of those 4 tyres cost half their replacement value, at £75 per tyre. No brainer!

Comfortably Numb · 30th October 2018, 19:54

PS someone had replaced a lot of the suspension parts before I bought it. Shame they didn't then get the tracking/alignment checked!

BigAde · 30th October 2018, 20:29

I've no idea if I have any worn suspension parts. Anything obvious that I can check easily? I have to switch to winter wheels at some point anyway, so will be jacking up each corner at some point soon anyway.

myfirstrover · 30th October 2018, 20:42

You might struggle to get the rears done , a lot of seized bolts might do for it ?

T-Cut · 30th October 2018, 20:47

A good tracking company will check the suspension for sloppy joints before starting the job. They can't provide a good tracking service if the car is not fit tbe tracked. So, it's worth asking them to check the state of the suspension first. Some depots offer a bush and ball joint replacement as part of the service.

TC

Comfortably Numb · 30th October 2018, 21:33

The bolts for the front pivot bracket on the rear, lower suspension arm cracked open fairly easily. Made of good steel, and no rust on the threads. Just make sure your socket is a good tight fit - you may need a breaker bar on it. I removed bolts 1 at a time, copper greased them, and reinserted them loose before guestimating the same adjustment (slotted holes in brackets) on both sides. Tyres seem to be wearing evenly!

flying_pig · 31st October 2018, 11:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by trikey

Not a bad price, I paid £45 to have four wheel alignment done.

Ive paid £280 to do a 4 wheel on my Astra coilovers

T-Cut · 31st October 2018, 11:34

Four wheel alignment - advice?

The official MGR manual (RAVE) advises that tracking should be done with the car at 'kerb weight' or in the 'unladen condition'. Kerb weight is the car unoccupied and a 90% full tank. Before taking it to the tracking station, try to get the tank 90% full.

It would also be interesting to compare any printout data they provide for comparison with the following specs. Note that only the front/rear wheel toe are adjustable.

TC

30th October 2018, 19:46	#1
BigAde Posted a thing or two MG ZT-T+ 135 CDTi Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Sussex Posts: 1,502 Thanks: 511 Thanked 224 Times in 178 Posts	Four wheel alignment - cost? advice? On checking the state of my summer tyres today I've noticed uneven tyre wear - the outside shoulder of at least two tyres are worn more than the inside. I have to buy two new winter tyres anyway and I'm wondering whether I should take advantage of Just Tyres four-wheel alignment service for which they charge an extra £32.99. Does this seem reasonable? I think I've seen it recommended on here previously that all four wheels are aligned at the same time. Given the state of Sussex roads, hitting a pothole is almost a daily occurrence, so it seems sensible to get them checked. Any thoughts?

30th October 2018, 19:50	#2
trikey Premium Trader Rover 75 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Devon Posts: 33,765 Thanks: 8,837 Thanked 14,831 Times in 8,030 Posts	Not a bad price, I paid £45 to have four wheel alignment done. __________________ Lest we forget..

30th October 2018, 19:53	#3
Comfortably Numb Posted a thing or two Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Penrith Posts: 1,336 Thanks: 165 Thanked 303 Times in 241 Posts	That sounds like a bargain to me. But make sure you replace any worn suspension parts first or it will all be in vain. I have re-tracked the front, and realigned the rear suspension on my 75 since it wore the inside edges of the front tyres down to the wire, and the rears to a 2 or 3mm difference, inside to outside. Effectively halving the life of those 4 tyres cost half their replacement value, at £75 per tyre. No brainer!

30th October 2018, 19:54	#4
Comfortably Numb Posted a thing or two Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Penrith Posts: 1,336 Thanks: 165 Thanked 303 Times in 241 Posts	PS someone had replaced a lot of the suspension parts before I bought it. Shame they didn't then get the tracking/alignment checked!

30th October 2018, 20:29	#5
BigAde Posted a thing or two MG ZT-T+ 135 CDTi Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Sussex Posts: 1,502 Thanks: 511 Thanked 224 Times in 178 Posts	I've no idea if I have any worn suspension parts. Anything obvious that I can check easily? I have to switch to winter wheels at some point anyway, so will be jacking up each corner at some point soon anyway.

30th October 2018, 20:42	#6
myfirstrover Posted a thing or two Rover 75 2.0 cdi Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne Posts: 1,896 Thanks: 401 Thanked 448 Times in 303 Posts	You might struggle to get the rears done , a lot of seized bolts might do for it ?

30th October 2018, 20:47	#7
T-Cut This is my second home Rover75 and Mreg Corsa. Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sumweer onat mote o'dust (Sagin) Posts: 21,752 Thanks: 341 Thanked 3,660 Times in 2,924 Posts	A good tracking company will check the suspension for sloppy joints before starting the job. They can't provide a good tracking service if the car is not fit tbe tracked. So, it's worth asking them to check the state of the suspension first. Some depots offer a bush and ball joint replacement as part of the service. TC

30th October 2018, 21:33	#8
Comfortably Numb Posted a thing or two Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Penrith Posts: 1,336 Thanks: 165 Thanked 303 Times in 241 Posts	The bolts for the front pivot bracket on the rear, lower suspension arm cracked open fairly easily. Made of good steel, and no rust on the threads. Just make sure your socket is a good tight fit - you may need a breaker bar on it. I removed bolts 1 at a time, copper greased them, and reinserted them loose before guestimating the same adjustment (slotted holes in brackets) on both sides. Tyres seem to be wearing evenly!

31st October 2018, 11:34	#10
T-Cut This is my second home Rover75 and Mreg Corsa. Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sumweer onat mote o'dust (Sagin) Posts: 21,752 Thanks: 341 Thanked 3,660 Times in 2,924 Posts	Four wheel alignment - advice? The official MGR manual (RAVE) advises that tracking should be done with the car at 'kerb weight' or in the 'unladen condition'. Kerb weight is the car unoccupied and a 90% full tank. Before taking it to the tracking station, try to get the tank 90% full. It would also be interesting to compare any printout data they provide for comparison with the following specs. Note that only the front/rear wheel toe are adjustable. TC