4 wheel alignmemt worth it??

[pembssurf]

I all. I'm looking at buying 4 new Michelin cross climate tyres for the wife's C180 CGI W204 c-class and I'm looking at getting tracking done as my fronts are worn more on the outer edges.

Question is is it worth me getting 4 wheel alignment done as opposed to front tracking only ? Is my car even adjustable on the back?

Just to complicate it even more the only place within 100 miles that has got the hunter system is qwik fit so do I trust them to do it? Cost will be around £60

 

[geraldrobins]

Kwikfit can check it but I don't think they have the correct parts to carry out all
adjustments. That's what I was told anyway about 18months ago.

 

[LTD]

Where are you ?

 

[ash59fifty-uk]

I wouldn't trust kwik fit with changing my wipers

 

[andy27168]

Four wheel alignment is a must IMO, the rear of the majority if not all RWD MB's are adjustable on one of the rear link arms (one each side) by an eccentric bolt. The problem with front only alignment (tracking) is that they take a datum from the rear wheels to get the front wheels correct if the rear wheels are out then the front will never be correct.
Have you tried this website to try an Identify somewhere closer with the Hunter equipment? either that or try Google "four alignment in ******" as this pointed several places very close to me which I never knew had the equipment.
Align My Car

 

[Naz26]

Hi there, 4 wheel alignment can be done on your vehicle. When you have your alignment done ask the technician to use these specs. For the rear toe 0.20-0.40 degrees and front toe 0.00-0.08 degrees your car will be perfect. And check your alignment every 8000 - 10000 KM's or every 6 months.

 

[pembssurf]

Where are you ?

Carmarthenshire / Haverfordwest

 

[pembssurf]

Lots of good answers thanks all. According to google my nearest hunter apart from qwik fit is in Swansea sonot really commutable for me

 

[Rory]

One of the reasons I opted put of having a company car was so that I wouldn't have to go to Kwik Fit any more.

Having said that, I've seen a few postive comments about their use of the Hunter machines. It's possible to mess anything up, but really, they're guided by what the system tells them which should remove a big chunk of the human element.

I think I'd be OK with letting them get a current status and maybe adjusting the front tracking but if they start suggesting other changes then maybe I'd want to think about it before letting them go ahead.

I've tried two recommend alignment specialists and can't say I was thrilled by the resuts from either of them - my car has the classic (for this model) roll left and one couldn't understand why, with the reading shown, it doesn't drift right.

 

[wheels-inmotion]

The public has been conveniently fooled into "front wheel" alignment by the industry's misunderstanding of geometry. Ask yourself or them what are they aligning the front wheels to?......... And with a smug face and a fag later i would expect their answer to be "each other"..... WRONG answer! The front wheels are aligned to the rear wheels centre position called the thrust angle. So in truth front wheel alignment isn't possible without knowing the rear wheels thrust position.

A full geometry including the castor position should cost around £80 including adjustments but excluding additional adjustment bolts... Whereas a front wheel alignment will cost around £60 but measure 1/10th of the true geometry...... Ask yourself this, you're about to invest good money in your tyres then protect your investment....

 

[Rossantony]

I had my CLS55 wheel alignment done at 'wheel alignment & ball joint center ltd' in Liverpool last week.
Can honestly say it is a different car.
Definitely worth paying somebody who knows what they are doing, would highly recommend them.

Adjusted fronts and rears for £65 + VAT.

 

[E55MO]

very interesting.

The E55k can only be aligned at the front. According to my local shop it needs to be modified to be able to complete a full 4 wheel alignment?

Regards

 

[ChrisEdu]

It's certainly worth getting the job done, but maybe avoid Kwiksh!t.

 

[wheels-inmotion]

very interesting.

The E55k can only be aligned at the front. According to my local shop it needs to be modified to be able to complete a full 4 wheel alignment?

Regards

What needs to be modified?

 

[E55MO]

they said that the rear can not be aligned as it does not have an adjustment bolt??

 

[Mrhanky]

they said that the rear can not be aligned as it does not have an adjustment bolt??

They don't know what they are talking about. Walk away, no run for your cars life

Toe can be adjusted but camber cannot without adjustable arms.

 

[Rory]

I had my CLS55 wheel alignment done at 'wheel alignment & ball joint center ltd' in Liverpool last week.
Can honestly say it is a different car.
Definitely worth paying somebody who knows what they are doing, would highly recommend them.

Adjusted fronts and rears for £65 + VAT.

It was them that said they couldn't understand why my car didn't run to the right. He started blaming the ESP for the car drifting left - prettty unlikely as it's done the same thing for 11 years.

 

[zipdip]

Without doubt if you can find a place using the HUNTER system then that is the best place to take your car,I had previous cars done,have not had the S320 sorted as she is running square all the tyres are ok,but if you do get uneven wear then look for your nearest shop using the HUNTER system.