Geometry check

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renault12ts

MB Club Veteran
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Mar 5, 2009
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16,671
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2005 W215 CL500.
I had a geometry check done today, just the check, no adjustments made. This is the read out I got:

The guy who did it said I only needed to adjust the toe out. I got it checked because of excessive wear on the inside of the off side front tyre.

Can anybody interpret the read out?
 

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Your FL castor is out too.
 
It is, and the caster is within tolerance, but surely the difference between the two is too great.
 
Were the readings taken with new tyres or with the worn front tyres. Unless the wheels and tyres are pristine they will influence any readings taken. In theory the adjustment that should cause the most wear on the inside of the tyre is the camber. Wheel Alignment A Short Course. Looking at the figures your measured maximum camber difference of +00.41 is outwith the max difference of +00.00 altho each individual measurement is within the measurement tolerance- what is more important is that the tolerance on one side is negative wrt the databank figure of -01.24 and positive on the other. :dk:
 
Yes the tyres are new. I was concerned that the osf would wear out quickly again on the inside edge. I therefore found someone with the correct equment and arranged for a check and read out.

I was surprised when he said the toe in needed adjusting but otherwise was ok. Just shows, they may have the equipment but they don't know how to read the results.

Tony,it does pull to the left.

If a large firm (main dealer selling Ferrari and Bentley amongst other marques) can't get it right who do you trust?
 
incorrect toe is the fastest tyre wearing fault you can have.

wear can be either on inside or outside of tyre depending whether there is too much toe in or too much toe out.

I hope they looked for mechanical faults before the alignment.
 
It's not a difficult fix, it would need two, maybe three adjuster bolts fitted depending how well the castor disparity pans out.

So, the adjuster bolts fix the camber issues? Which in turn has an effect on the caster?
 
It can do yes as the adjustment is done on the same suspension arm.
 
What about the KPI (and included angle), they are very different side to side?
 
Globally there's no recognized tolerance between the KPI/ SAI position. Rule of thumb i recognize two degrees, nevertheless as the camber is adjusted the KPI inclination will also change.

On a non-adjustable chassis the KPI position can be used as a diagnostic tool in order to find a bend.
 
I'm going through similar issues and have been to 2 wheel alignment centres and a couple of garages in the last few weeks to attempt to resolve as the two centres could not set my tracking or Camber and I've worn another set of fronts on my new wheels. (Inside edge, Drivers side really bad!)

The adjustment bolts spoken of above relate to the rear bush bolts on the lower wishbone link arms. The bolts allow additional sideways movement of the Bolt as they have a groove allowing them to be pushed further over in their hole as the holes have a 'nodule' in them that the shaft of the bolt can move further against. This adjusts the camber....However this wont stop movement if the Bushes are worn! Finally a specialist Merc mechanic advised that the bushes are oil filled and become soft...I had it on the ramp with them and they advised that my front bushes were worn (two on each Wishbone link, front for toe, rear for Camber) causing it to toe out.

I've therefore replaced two bottom Wishbone arms which you can buy yourself from any factors and have fitted by a decent mechanic with a spring compressor. (Make sure you/they buy 'Lemforder' though who are the OEM Supplier and better quality).

I'm off to have it checked again today so will let you know how I get on, but i'd get your bushes checked before looking to get it set up as it will save all the head scratching i've had the last few weeks!
 
Good avdvice there.

Check the castor bushes for wear. They wear and crack. Use a lever bar to push them to one side and inspect closely for cracks. They are so so common to crack. If you have not ever had them done they will be cracked after 50,000 miles.
 
Thanks Olly. Notice you're also a specialist..Are the Castor bushes you refer to the same as Camber i.e. the rear bush on the lower wishbone?

Not yet put new tyres on which is being done in the morning but feels better after having had the tracking done at least. Will need to get full alignment to check my camber and Castor and try to do this after my tyres arrive tomorrow.

Anyone have the geometry set-up for an 02 W210 E320 CDI estate?
 
Thanks Olly. Notice you're also a specialist..Are the Castor bushes you refer to the same as Camber i.e. the rear bush on the lower wishbone?

Not yet put new tyres on which is being done in the morning but feels better after having had the tracking done at least. Will need to get full alignment to check my camber and Castor and try to do this after my tyres arrive tomorrow.

Anyone have the geometry set-up for an 02 W210 E320 CDI estate?

See post one.:D
 
Just shows, they may have the equipment but they don't know how to read the results.

If a large firm (main dealer selling Ferrari and Bentley amongst other marques) can't get it right who do you trust?

Your posted settings are from some tyre centre's machine...I've also had a couple of differing opinions which is why i asked the question. i.e your posted settings aren't necessarily correct :)
 
Your posted settings are from some tyre centre's machine...I've also had a couple of differing opinions which is why i asked the question. i.e your posted settings aren't necessarily correct :)

Would it not be difficult to have your suspension set by these people if the data was wrong? I think WIM may have said something if the data was wrong.
 
I just done geometry on a hunter computeried system . I had my geometry done by protyres at enfield . As I just brought a 235 45 17 continental MO tyres from them. they did not charge me anything for the check.The front was 1 degrees way out. The mentioned it was way out of range. he reckons its the bushes on the wish bone has worn out but he is not sure.

so blackc55 may be right . my car pulls slightly to the left.

any comments anybody how to solve this problem?

mind you my near side front tyre is a new one and my off side front has about 4mm left. but the technician says the hunter laser system will compensate for as they take measurement from the rim and not from the tyres.
 
Thanks Olly. Notice you're also a specialist..Are the Castor bushes you refer to the same as Camber i.e. the rear bush on the lower wishbone?

Not yet put new tyres on which is being done in the morning but feels better after having had the tracking done at least. Will need to get full alignment to check my camber and Castor and try to do this after my tyres arrive tomorrow.

Anyone have the geometry set-up for an 02 W210 E320 CDI estate?

Where are you based? Who did you visit so far for alignment?
 

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