Notices
Wheels, Tyres & Brakes

Steering wheel off after new tyres and alignment?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 17 December 2011, 05:20 PM
  #1  
lewisdj
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
 
lewisdj's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Cardiff
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default Steering wheel off after new tyres and alignment?

Hi guys, I treated myself to a full set of Bridgestone S001's today as my goodyear's were on the way out...

Also had the tracking done.

They asked me to hold the wheel firmly in my knees while they were adjusting the tracking with there laser alignment equipment.

When i left the garage, the car seems to drive straight as an arrow, but the steering wheels points slightly to the right?? I complained and got them to redo the alignment again. It was ok but the wheel was still pointing to the rightr slightly.

Why is this? Is it something more serious? Can it be remedied anyway because its bloody anoying me!?
Old 17 December 2011, 06:16 PM
  #2  
alcazar
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (2)
 
alcazar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Rl'yeh
Posts: 40,781
Received 27 Likes on 25 Posts
Default

Either one of two things:
It was out before, but centred by poor tracking. (Did you notice any tyre wear on the indide/outside of a particular tyre?)

Or it is out now.

TBH, I'd not let a tyre place do my alignment. Mine is done at a Scoob specilaist.

Get it sorted soonest, once a tyre starts to wear badly, you'll not stop it, no matter how spot-on your alignment.
Old 17 December 2011, 06:35 PM
  #3  
mickywrx
Unmapped 12.4s @ 105
iTrader: (29)
 
mickywrx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Newcastle. 330bhp-289lb/ft @ 1bar boost - 12.4s @ 105mph
Posts: 11,776
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Post

Originally Posted by lewisdj
They asked me to hold the wheel firmly in my knees while they were adjusting the tracking with there laser alignment equipment.
Should have used something to secure the steering wheel, I know Revolution do.

Ask for the alignment to be refunded and take it somewhere that knows what they are doing.
Old 17 December 2011, 06:36 PM
  #4  
53
Scooby Senior
iTrader: (41)
 
53's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Standing Up
Posts: 16,742
Received 4 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

^ what he said

Could also be that your track rod ends are out and alignment was hiding this. Either way, specialist only for alignment
Old 17 December 2011, 06:38 PM
  #5  
lewisdj
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
 
lewisdj's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Cardiff
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

The previous 2 front tyres had some serious outside wear, especially the offside front tyre, was totally bald when i took it to be changed. The rear 2 looked like wear was even.

The mechanic showed me that the tracking was out by a few degrees either side

Been doing some research and i have read that Toe angle has a major part to play in uneven tyre wear.

http://www.agcoauto.com/content/news/p2_articleid/175

Link explains why the wheel would be slightly out of line (like mine) if the toe was out.

Its really pi**ed me off as the tyres and aligment were £425 and i want it perfect
Old 17 December 2011, 06:40 PM
  #6  
classicgc8
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (4)
 
classicgc8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Bath
Posts: 930
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

anyone local to ops location of cardiff they could recomend,i can recomend someone but bristol based ,fcm motorsport
Old 17 December 2011, 06:41 PM
  #7  
lewisdj
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
 
lewisdj's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Cardiff
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by mickywrx
Should have used something to secure the steering wheel, I know Revolution do.


Ask for the alignment to be refunded and take it somewhere that knows what they are doing.
They did use a securing device but it was loose as hell as fell off at the end of the adjustment

Im gonna go back and give them hell on monday as ask for refund.
Old 17 December 2011, 06:55 PM
  #8  
lewisdj
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
 
lewisdj's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Cardiff
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

What you guys thik of this place, only a stone throw away from there i live..

http://www.celtictyres.co.uk/wheel-alignment.php

Or should i travel and go here where i know they will defniatly do a good job

http://www.fcmwheelalignment.co.uk/#
Old 18 December 2011, 12:32 PM
  #9  
alcazar
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (2)
 
alcazar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Rl'yeh
Posts: 40,781
Received 27 Likes on 25 Posts
Default

Drive over to Cheltenham and have Powerstation do it.
Old 19 December 2011, 11:06 AM
  #10  
REVOLUTION
Former Sponsor
iTrader: (7)
 
REVOLUTION's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 1,145
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Hi

As mentioned above, the steering wheel should be secured in the straight ahead position and the car aligned like that.
You might be better off trying an Alignment Centre rather than a tyre fitting garage.
Obviously we would do it for you but it is quite a drive from Cardiff to Newcastle!!
Most reputable Hunter equipped centres are registered on the following website

www.alignmycar.com

Hope this helps

Thanks

Keith
Old 21 December 2011, 04:01 PM
  #11  
lanceuppercut
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (1)
 
lanceuppercut's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: London
Posts: 338
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

nearest place to me according to the centre locator on that link, despite being a bmw specialist are quoting me £130, does that seem to be a reasonable price?

once done, if i need to take my wheels off (to install mudflaps for example), will it need to be realigned after i put the same ones back on?
Old 22 December 2011, 10:19 AM
  #12  
REVOLUTION
Former Sponsor
iTrader: (7)
 
REVOLUTION's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 1,145
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by lanceuppercut
nearest place to me according to the centre locator on that link, despite being a bmw specialist are quoting me £130, does that seem to be a reasonable price?

once done, if i need to take my wheels off (to install mudflaps for example), will it need to be realigned after i put the same ones back on?
Hi

If you remove the wheels and re-fit them there should be no reason to have the alignment checked again, only if you are removing suspension components.

£130.00 doesn't sound too far out depending on what needs adjusting. We price each individual adjustment seperately here so if the car simply requires front toe adjustments it is £29.99 + VAT, camber adjustments are priced @ £14.99 + VAT per corner etc etc. Worst case scenario for a Full 4 Wheel Alignment (if it is required and possible) is £99.99 + VAT so if that is what they are quoting you for it is not too far away.

All of the centres that use the Hunter systems should give you a print out of the car before and after too.

Hope that helps.

Thanks

Keith
Old 22 December 2011, 10:31 AM
  #13  
lanceuppercut
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (1)
 
lanceuppercut's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: London
Posts: 338
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

ah cheers, i would go to you guys, if you were not half the country away!
how long does the process usually take?
Old 22 December 2011, 10:43 AM
  #14  
REVOLUTION
Former Sponsor
iTrader: (7)
 
REVOLUTION's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 1,145
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

No problem.

Half the country is quite a trek for alignment!!

We normally allow an hour or so to do the alignment on an Impreza.

Thanks

Keith
Old 22 December 2011, 11:21 AM
  #15  
ScoobySteve69
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (13)
 
ScoobySteve69's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: North Wales.
Posts: 4,636
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by REVOLUTION
Hi

As mentioned above, the steering wheel should be secured in the straight ahead position and the car aligned like that.
You might be better off trying an Alignment Centre rather than a tyre fitting garage.
Obviously we would do it for you but it is quite a drive from Cardiff to Newcastle!!
Most reputable Hunter equipped centres are registered on the following website

www.alignmycar.com

Hope this helps

Thanks

Keith
According to that link the nearest to me is Demon Tweeks Doubt I`d take it back there after last time
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Scott@ScoobySpares
Full Cars Breaking For Spares
61
11 January 2021 03:08 PM
Scott@ScoobySpares
Full Cars Breaking For Spares
55
05 August 2018 07:02 AM
Scott@ScoobySpares
Full Cars Breaking For Spares
7
14 December 2015 08:16 AM
Mattybr5@MB Developments
Full Cars Breaking For Spares
20
22 October 2015 06:12 AM



Quick Reply: Steering wheel off after new tyres and alignment?



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 06:17 AM.