4 wheel alignment needed in Solihull

[Shez1878]

Just had 4 new tyres fitted and been told the cambers are out?

The Dunlops they took off had 7mm tread on the outside of the tyre yet the inside were completely worn!

Any recommended garages in Solihull area?

Thanks

[Black X5]

Pro 4 wheel Alignment
Unit 6 Sydney Road
Bordesley Green
Birmingham
B9 4QB
07889 024701

The guy is really good at his stuff. Last time I had mine done just before fitting my winters. A check is £15 IIRC- if adjustments are needed this is extra.  You can pay stupid money for alignment (£250ish at BMW, over £100 at alignment specialists). My last X5 was done at BMTR Perry Barr- had to be redone 3 times before they got it right!

This guy has a Hunter branded machine that compensates for the weight- one of only a handful in the country i beleive-(the old way is to weigh the car down by placing bags of sand in the boot and the footwells). Would highly reccommend him.

[Shez1878]

Thanks mate. Wish I'd seen your reply earlier, think this is the chap a number of people mentioned before but no one could give me an address or contact number!

So Ive had mine done by Lodge Tyres in Aston. Nice chap called Clive who definitely seemed to know his stuff.

He had 3 other cars in for alignment including a 62 plate Porsche. I was obviously stunned that a 62 plate Porsche needed alignment until I find out it had been in a smash. Still looked stunning though!

His system wasnt Hunter but he said they evaluated both and he went for this one. It was called 'Snap On' I believe.

Anyway he fitted metal plates to each tyre and within minutes told me my rear tyre was way out. He has 'straightened' the back two and adjusted the front two.

All in all I am happy....disappointed it wasnt a Hunter system but appeared to do the job.

[Black X5]

As the long has the system has the capbility to check camber, caster, toe, runout etc you will be ok.  The system is only as good as the operator- so if he knows his stuff then you should be good.

Did you also get a printout of before/ after readings? How far were you out?

I as a general rule get my alignment done every 6 months- the state of the roads can easily knock it out. Also you have to consider compliance in the bushes/ ball joints etc. As they wear they alter the alignment.

[JimmySpeed]

[quote="Black X5"]
Pro 4 wheel Alignment
Unit 6 Sydney Road
Bordesley Green
Birmingham
B9 4QB
07889 024701

The guy is really good at his stuff. Last time I had mine done just before fitting my winters. A check is £15 IIRC- if adjustments are needed this is extra.  You can pay stupid money for alignment (£250ish at BMW, over £100 at alignment specialists). My last X5 was done at BMTR Perry Barr- had to be redone 3 times before they got it right!

This guy has a Hunter branded machine that compensates for the weight- one of only a handful in the country i beleive-(the old way is to weigh the car down by placing bags of sand in the boot and the footwells). Would highly reccommend him.
[/quote]

I'll be giving this guy a call when I need mine doing. He's only a few minutes from me.

[Shez1878]

[quote="Black X5"]
As the long has the system has the capbility to check camber, caster, toe, runout etc you will be ok.  The system is only as good as the operator- so if he knows his stuff then you should be good.

Did you also get a printout of before/ after readings? How far were you out?

I as a general rule get my alignment done every 6 months- the state of the roads can easily knock it out. Also you have to consider compliance in the bushes/ ball joints etc. As they wear they alter the alignment.
[/quote]
I have the print-out and have just rang the chap back.

Basically its -1.13 on the left and -1.09 on the right. I was in a rush yesterday so like an idiot didnt check it until I got home.

My view is both should either be 1.13 or 1.09....not different to each other! He then explained that there is certain amount of 'tolerance' involved and its very difficult to get it bang on equal.

Is this true?

The ride is fine, infact better than the RFTs however if I stand back and look at both tyres, the left one (1.13) doesnt look as straight as the right one (1.09).

He has offered to take a another look and try again but Im starting to think its a waste of time as he doesnt have a Hunter System.

Thoughts?

[Black X5]

Could you post a pic of the printout? Would make deciphering it easier.

He is right- there is a tolerance band, the aim should be to get the reading within this.

Which setting is the one you feel is incorrect?

On a side 04" does not seem to be a huge difference.

[Shez1878]

Thanks mate. Your input is very useful.

Still haven't sussed out how to post pics on here. Will try as I'd like to finally share what my X looks like!

I'm not sure if either one is wrong. I just assumed they should both be identical.

I am a perfectionist and it may just be my paranoia / OCD playing up but the left doesn't look as straight as the right tyre - that's literally all it is!

You have allayed my fears by agreeing with what Clive said so I'm much happier!

[max]

If you're prepared to travel a little bit, I would happily recommend this place -

http://www.alineyourcar.co.uk/

Kev, has the Hunter machine, knows what he is doing (and will show you) and best of all his prices are transparent (and I've tried a few places around the midlands over the years with different cars)

[Shez1878]

Yep, they look a decent outfit. Will take it there if I have any further issues.

Cheers!