Posted a week ago or so re: badly wearing tyre. I got onto BMW to see if there was a common problem and they said no and I should have something called a KDS test (Optical Alignment test where they put a camera on each wheel).
Now the charge for this is a p1*$ taking £140. I asked whether my local tyre chap could do it and they said that your ****-*** would probably not, but I have a good company round the corner (Munster Tyres) whose wheel alignment machine (he says cost) £9.5k and he charges a not inconsiderable £35.
Being ignorant on these matters I presume that the £35 job does exactly the same as the £140 one (except doesn't use BM cameras!). I also take it that a perfectly good job can be done without the aid of cameras.
|
|
I bought a Trakrite gauge many years ago for £30;I think they have gone up to £60-check your tracking twice-it's paid for.
|
Ok - it would be good to know when things are out of synch. I presume they are accurate - just ask because the pump I have shows the incorrect pressure by about 0.5 bar!!
Also is it easy to align them without jacking the thing up? For a few quid I am happy to pay a professional to do the alignment.
|
|
|
Could you tell me were i can buy a Trakrite gauge from , sounds like a good investment.
Reguarding the tracking a four wheel laser check is around £60 , but with the last car excessive front tyre wear was sorted by a front tracking adjustment (5 degrees out) for around £15.
|
|
Your local accessory shop should know about them;otherwise a firm like Frost's.It shows when your wheels are in alignment or if they are out but not by how much-it does indicate whether it's toe-in or out.It won't give you castor,camber and KPI. but those are not adjustable on modern cars.You should be able to do your first check-without adjustment in two!! minutes-it's that easy to use.
|
|
|
|
|
I made the mistake of having my tracking done by Quick Fit in Streatham last Saturday. Afterwards it was worse than before. I only went to them out of lazyness because I live next door. I had to have it re done on Monday, this time by National Tyres who have been consistently good.
This is the second time I have had Quick Fit do it and the second time they messed it up. Twice bitten - forever shy!
|
|
|
|
Don't forget that the 'tracking' is only 1 part of a full wheel alignment check. If you have a full optical alignment or laser check I would expect that all things such the wheel castor, camber and the kpi would be checked as well. Is it both front tyres that are wearing badly or just one? If it is only one that is wearing badly then it is most unlikely that the 'tracking' will be out.
|
|
|
Cm,
You need to do a little homework regarding your car before you simplistically disregard the BMW mega charge.
Like my Merc' I suspect your car has multi link fully adjustable suspension links on all four wheels. This gives the road holding that you are particularly impressed by, and it does not arrive on the vehicle simply or cheaply.
Pitted laser alignment units are directly enhanced with computer supplied data specific to your car, and against this standard, measure camber, castor and toe in, front and rear (where applicable) together with other data specific to the model.
My expertise is superficial on this subject, and I am certainly no expert, however I think you need to balance your judgment by checking out the detail carefully before latching on to the economy solution too easily. I would be interested in any feedback, as I also would like to obtain increased comfort to use alternative systems. The risk of inaccuracy and the knackered expensive tyres resulting have always directed me towards the MB system. Angular changes on my MB are measured to minutes of a degree, and the + - error allowed is very small.
Regards,
Julian L
|
|
|
|
Just adding on to the last post about the castor, camber and kpi not being adjustable on modern cars. It doesn't necessarilly mean that because they are aren't adjustable they cannot be mis-aligned. It only takes one good whack up a kerb to make a slight bend in a suspension component and thus cause problems with the wheel alignment.
|
Sorted out today.
Tracking out or at (don't really understand these things) at 0.30
Camber +19 (max. tolerance at +17)
Costs:
2nd hand tyre (225/15-16) £50 (not one that has been repaired)
Valves & balancing £5
Tracking £39
Camber adjusment £15
|
|
|
|
![2022 Fiat 500 1.0 Mild Hybrid Dolcevita [Part Leather] 3dr](http://images.honestjohn.co.uk/imagecache/url/crop/90x60/https/cdn.uk.prod.group-mobility-trader.com/images/cas/188d8d6d11d01956f35ee28d2b61ca69/9ca187eac78ac0cd54be3d1b61bfc679.jpg)
![2024 Land Rover Discovery Sport 1.5 P300e Dynamic HSE 5dr Auto [5 Seat]](http://images.honestjohn.co.uk/imagecache/url/crop/90x60/https/cdn.uk.prod.group-mobility-trader.com/images/cas/d35f48fcc6c421f0ca6017884a50f09b/95ce4bd57a55f6a3eecc3dd59ee8e538.jpg)
