Wheel Alignment/Tracking - who to use? what system? what to pay?

[tapir]

Looking for some recommendations for wheel alignment/tracking, its just for an astra daily so no supercar but its pulling slightly to the left, I had ATS do it last time when I changed tyres (via black circles) in October but it seems out again. I wasn't too impressed with ATS, they seemed a bit dozy and not very well organised but that could have just been that branch,

 

Anyhow do you all generally go to a chain (ATS, F1) or an independent

 

Is one particular system better than another - eg: hunter v supertracker or does it not really matter

 

What kind of price do you pay?

 

And if anyone is Suffolk/Norfolk can you recommend anywhere?

 

Cheers,

 

[twosmoke300]

All the equipment is fine - is the monkeys that use it that gives the problems

[michael1703]

John Bull stowmarket 01449 774150

 

£45 from memory, very competent

 

Pretty garage in diss

 

01379 644786

[cros]

Diy Gunsons trackrite very easy to use, save having your trackrod attacked with stillsons which has happened to me long ago at Ats. I did post pic of device being used about a year back.

[Isaac Hunt]

Echo that, been using one of these for years, sets the car dynamically. Take your time, check both wheels and you will have your tracking (toe in toe out) spot on. You will need a different bit of kit if you want to get into camber

[tapir]

John Bull stowmarket 01449 774150

 

£45 from memory, very competent

 

Pretty garage in diss

 

01379 644786

 

Thanks for this, I usually use Pretty for MOT etc

[artdjones]

∆∆∆∆∆∆

 

Same for me.Adjusts tracking to what it really should be rather than a theoretical figure.The trakrite I mean.

[dave21478]

Someone with a bit of string and a steel ruler who knows what they are doing will do a better job than a teenage mechanic in a fast fit garage with 10K+ worth of equipment, a half days training and a boss pressing him to get a move on and finish it because they need him to fit 4 ditchfinders to a Zafira afterwards.

 

If a place gets recommended by others, go there.

[lisbon_road]

Don't want to be teaching grandma to suck the proverbials but consistent pulling left - first tyre pressures, then tread levels, then brands/wear.  Might be tracking perhaps and might well be worth checking....... if an older Astra, consider condition of bushes on the back of wishbones.  Nearside tends to go first and if worn will lead to pulling left.  

 

Good luck.

[Jazoli]

National tyres have a 50% off offer at the minute, had the Puma done at the weekend, its sorted the wayward handling

 

http://www.national.co.uk/special-offers-wheel-alignment?source=aw&ID=94838

 

only £15

[egg]

Is it a Mk4 Astra? One of mine used to pull left, but when alignment checked there was no problem. Never did get to bottom of it, as it blew up a short while after.

[artdjones]

My Passat B2 used to pull to the left strongly and I tried everything until finally the front tyres wore out and I replaced them with a reasonable make - no more pulling.

[Stroller133]

What about cost? There's a place near me does a really good price on tyres, but then check 4 wheel alignment - if that's out then ask £60 for adjustment. Last time I tried to back out by saying I was pushed for time, but they said it will only take 15 mins. I bought it!

Since then though gone elsewhere, that's £240 an hour! I could probably get London main stealer work done at that price!

So is this a blatant rip-off, are they making up for poor margins on tyres or was their 4wheel laser alignment kit a £5m investment they are still recouping?

[twosmoke300]

Specialist services have a higher labour rate to recoup investment in equipment and training . That's business !

My std labour rate is 25 ph but I charge 25 to check and adjust tracking even though I can do it in 10 mins . That's because I've spent 3000 on kit to do it .

[Urko]

I use a trackrite on the AMC - finally managed to centre up the steering wheel. You do need a properly flat surface though - my block driveway wasn't flat enough, but the garage concrete floor was.

[tapir]

Is it a Mk4 Astra? One of mine used to pull left, but when alignment checked there was no problem. Never did get to bottom of it, as it blew up a short while after.

 

its a mk 5 (2005), it was fine

[tapir]

Don't want to be teaching grandma to suck the proverbials but consistent pulling left - first tyre pressures, then tread levels, then brands/wear.  Might be tracking perhaps and might well be worth checking....... if an older Astra, consider condition of bushes on the back of wishbones.  Nearside tends to go first and if worn will lead to pulling left.  

 

Good luck.

Thanks for this, yes have checked pressures but will check again, all four tyres were replaced with goodyears oct so reasonable and all almost new - will take a look at bushes

[beko1987]

I paid £35 inc vat last week at my local place in Marlow, and its fucking transformed. No more pulling randomly to the right, no more skipping whilst cornering and hopefully no more tyre wear!

 

The steering wheel still isnt fully straight though, but now I know the underneath bits are good, I might reposition the wheel, no airbag ftw!

[beko1987]

And now I think of it, we sent the meriva to national tyres last nov for tracking, and I noticed whilst driving it to the tip on saturday that it pulls to the left, although Amy has possibly sent it up a few kerbs since then...

[Barry Cade]

its a mk 5 (2005), it was fine

If it was a Mk3, many places would tell you to FRO.

[twosmoke300]

Only 1 adjustable tre on those isnt there?

[omegod]

As said, I find the £15 National tyres deal suffices for my shite, online voucher required

[twosmoke300]

Not sure if id trust a national chain tyre place tbh

[Des]

I used National Tyres regularly, ok until last year when I visited their Borehamwood branch, I wouldn't return with a solid tyred fucking wheelbarrow.