www.jec.org.uk

Can anyone recommend a firm to do a laser four wheel alignment on my car please!

I have had a four wheel non laser alignment done twice at Jaguar main dealer and twice at a local tyre firm and it is still reported to me that it is not right and causing tyre wear.

There must be a firm that can do it right

I am near Worcester but will travel for the right service.

Michael

Michael,

You need to find somewhere that uses a Hunter 4-wheel laser alignment system. The Hunter bed is increasingly mandated by insurance companies when authorising repairs on high-performance cars.

If you use the attached link, you should be able to find an operator in your local area.

http://www.alignmycar.co.uk/

Good luck

Paul

Hi, I have always used a Trakrite tracking tool to set my car up. It actually checks alignment as you run over it.

I had trouble like you with garages setting the track. I believe that some of the problem is worn bushings, which mean the official settings no longer can be relied on.

The correct settings are supposed to be taken with special suspension tools that hold the suspension at a set height while the alignment is carried out.

Sadly most garages either dont have the tools or disregard the need to use them.

The Trakrite tool I use is available from Gunsons. It would be interesting to run your car over such a gauge to see if it indicates the tracking is out.

If you care to drive over to Mid Wales I will let you use my gauge.

Regards Kels.

i would personally get all the front and rear bushings changed first, as these do have an impact on the geometry of all four wheels

if these are worn or beyond use no matter how much tracking you have done, laser or otherwise, the car will still wear out tires

the ones to look for are , the rear radius arms, the rear cage body mounts,
the front anti roll bar links and the front subframe mounts along with the rear front subframe mounts , upper and lower front wishbone bushes , all these will have a negative impact if past their best , and even slight wear in all of them will add up to tire wear

if the car has done anywhere near 100k , you should get them all changed anyway

BB

Hi Guy's

I am led to believe that the bushes etc are OK, as I thought this could be the problem.

It seems more likely as you suggest the people doing it don't have the right tools or don't care enough about getting it right.

Thanks

Hi again. Wear in the bushes etc. can cause the car to appear to be correctly tracked when all is not well and tyres still wear.

This is why I suggested that you try using a Trakrite gauge.
The Trakrite is placed on the floor in front of the car, and the car is driven over it at a slow walking speed.

The Trakrite will indicate if the wheels are running over it squarely and whether it sees toe in or out.

The beauty of this gauge is that it makes allowance for any wear
I have always found it to give a true reading.

Hi Kels

I may just have to drive over to you.

Thanks

I had mine 4 wheel laser aligned checked & adjusted 20K miles ago (Oct 2007) by Nene Jags at Peterborough. I changed the tryes afterwards and all is still fine the front tryes are wearing evenly and still have 5 to 6mm tread depth left. I have seen their add in recent JEC mags

I always take my cars to Budget Tyres and Exhausts in Battersea, London (0207 7389490).

They're cheap but have real 4 wheel kit and are true enthusiasts. They have done the set up work on my Renault Alpine and also on my XJS after it's recent rear subframe radius arms/bushes and shocks front and rear. Crucially they also are willing to use they're brains to help get what you would like (for my Alpine) or stick to factory settings (XJS) and also say when they think something's beyond them.

Recommended.