Tracking, 4 wheel worth it?

JamesM

JamesM

JamesM

Soldato
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
7,636
Location
Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham
I've got a Fiesta ST and to drive straight I need to hold the steering wheel slightly to the left. With the car parked up and the steering wheel straight, one wheel points slight to the left and the other slightly to the right so it needs doing. I need new front tyres anyway so would like to get the alignment done at the same time.

I've had a quote of £90 for 4 wheel laser alignment while a local garage has quoted £20 for adjusting the tracking. Now I understand that laser alignment is the best, etc.. But is it worth the the extra £70?
 
Best £70 extra you will spend, especially if they adjust the camber and toe. Which garage is doing it? Go to www.alignmycar.co.uk and check that for £90 they will use a Hunter machine. Bodywork Solihull have one and do it for £120.
 
If its a proper hunter machine and not just mirrors attached to the wheels then its worth it, otherwise find a place that uses the hunter machine or similar.
 
Even if you can't adjust the rear wheels?

I was under the impression that 4 wheel alignment was for cars say like BMWs where the rear wheels and fronts can be fully adjusted.
 
Without having it done, you will never know if its worth it. But if you're into cars and how they handle and respond then this can make a huge difference. OEM out of the factory alignment settings aren't always the same or ideal.

If could make the car nicer to drive and save you in tyre wear. But unless you feel it's "off" then you can't say whether it will improve or not.

Proper accurate alignment needs expensive machinery and at least an hour labour if they're using pre-determined geo settings (from experience or other sources) or maybe a bit longer to figure something out in your case. The backsteet boiz garage will probably use some box section, string and guess at it. It might work, but I wouldn't want to count on that.

Not all cars are fully adjustable either, so you may be limited for an ideal setup unless you throw in some adjustment arms or bolts but this can easily add £100. They might need to replace knackered bolts too.
 
JamesM said:
Even if you can't adjust the rear wheels?

I was under the impression that 4 wheel alignment was for cars say like BMWs where the rear wheels and fronts can be fully adjusted.
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Can identify if something is worn and needs replacing if the rears are much out from standard.
 
Quick update for people who are interested.

Found a place in Dudley called Aline who did a complete check and reset my front toe in for £22.

Their website is - http://alineyourcar.co.uk

Certainly worth a look, they use Hunter equipment as well.
 
If the ST is the same as the rest of the Fiesta line then it can't be four wheeled aligned.

The tracking can be done on the fronts and that's it.
 
Logsi said:
If the ST is the same as the rest of the Fiesta line then it can't be four wheeled aligned.

The tracking can be done on the fronts and that's it.
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True but they did a full check anyway to make sure everything was straight on the rear of the car (just in case it had been in an accident, etc)

I knew this before going to the garage which is why I was shocked that BMTR charged £90 for doing the same :confused:
 
I recall getting a truck back from Scania after it had had its wheels re-aligned, the difference in its road "manners" was remarkable. Well worth the money if its done right.

Iirc, Scania use a company called Steertrak.

http://www.steertrak.co.uk/
 
A line are good and are on my doorstep, good lads in there and ive seen them working on decent metal, plus there is a shop over the road that does awesome samosa's:p
 
The reasoning in a lot of places for price differential is the effort they will put in. My left to right settings will all be identical/within 1 minute of a degree wheras a lot of places will get it within tollerance. The difference between the two can quite literally mean your wheels do or don't point the same direction !
 
Conanius said:
The reasoning in a lot of places for price differential is the effort they will put in. My left to right settings will all be identical/within 1 minute of a degree wheras a lot of places will get it within tollerance. The difference between the two can quite literally mean your wheels do or don't point the same direction !
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WIM or CG?
 
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