Has anybody used one of these "drive over wheel alignment gauges", and are they any good?
www.gunson.co.uk/acatalog/index.html
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They are known as a 'slip mat'. We used to use one in the workshop years ago. They are not actually too bad, but I wouldn't bother buying one as a private owner. They are quite expensive and a proper optical alignment (front-rear) with castor, camber and front-rear toe-in/out only costs me £15 at ATS - and how often do you need that doing?
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Aprilia
When I last used them they were called 'Weaver Boards', presumably after the name of the makers. I was taught set the steering wheel straight, and then to use them in conjunction with the optical gauge to ensure the toe-in adjustments were made to the correct wheel. I imagine you can use them alone to set the toe in though.
Your local ATS is cheap, by the way - I was charged about £25 last time I had a toe in check alone done.
JS
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We just used to drive over it on a flat floor; do one side then the other. The dial tells you toe on that side (s/wheel must be held straight).
I know the guy at my local ATS quite well, so maybe he gives me a discount. I'm usually in overalls with plastic covers over the seats (having done some work on the suspension or steering of a car). I guess if you turn up in a suit they whack £10 on. I always stand with them while they're doing it too - stops the youngsters from taking 'short cuts'.
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That's it, nice flat floor and push the car back and forth.
No, no suit, and it was after the suspension overhaul on the Minor. The lad who did it looked a bit dumfounded as the data he had didn't include the Minor so he had to ask if I knew the toe-in setting!
JS
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We as in my Cousin & I actually own one, £ 60 it was a good investment. Local garages are at least £ 25 & you normally get spotty 16 year old youff to do it. Also that means we can do our own when we want after we've completed the work. We also possess 8 cars between the 2 of us so a lot of £ 25s....
Jim
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I always use Just Tyres (my local one is in Coventry). They'll do a full four-wheel alignment for under £20 - they'll even do it for free if you spend enough on your tyres. Best bit is they don't use air guns to put the nuts on, they hand-tighten them, so if you should ever find yourself with a nearside rear flat tyre on the hard shoulder of some French Autoroute in the freezing rain in February with lorries passing within inches of your backside every 20 seconds, you'll actually have a fair chance of being able to get the wheel off to change it, without pulling your arm out of it's socket.
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Yes, that really did happen to me (except the bit about the arm coming off.)
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Anybody know if these centres can check alignment on a '98 E class Merc or do I have to take to the dreaded dealer?
Thanks
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Anybody know if these centres can check alignment on a '98 E class Merc or do I have to take to the dreaded dealer? Thanks
Yes, they can do it. You need it done on a Supertracker, Bear, Sun or similar optical alignment system - clamps on each of the four wheels and should give you toe (F & R), camber and castor. I pay £15 at local ATS, sounds like you might have to pay up to £25 elsewhere, but ring around first and don't pay too much. Merc. dealer will probably charge you around £100.
I think I still might have one of the old Gunsons mats around somewhere - I might dig it out an play with it sometime.
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