Wheel alignment after new tyres?

[ScoobyDooLondon]

What's the conventional wisdom on wheel alignment?

I've just given my car to BVJ Engineering for alloy refurbishment and to fit new tyres all round (I've supplied the tyres).

I've not experienced any pulling to one side and don't recall any uneven tyre pattern wear - should I still take it to check the alignment?

Just reading the forums and Wheels in Motion seem to get good reviews. Luckily, its on my way home when I pick up the car from BVJ - is it worth popping in there to check the alignment?

Also, can someone please explain the different between 'wheel alignment' and 'steering geometry' or are they one and the same?

Also, what's the typical wheel alignment cost from Wheels in Motion? Typically, how do firms charge for alignment, is it a fee for 'checking' and another fee for the actual alignment?

 

[markjay]

It is a good idea to check the suspension's geometry every couple of years or so, even if there is no obvious evidence of anything being wrong. So fitting new tyres is a good opportunity to do this, and Tony at WIM is highly recommended.

There are 4 wheels on the car, and each wheel can have various adjustments. Without going into too much detail (it's all on WIM's website), tracking deals with only one set of adjustments on one set of wheels (the front ones), while proper wheel allignment involves setting everything that can be adjusted on each wheel.

Proper wheel allignment will ensure not only that each wheel is correctly adjusted in isolation, but also that the wheels are in the correct position in relation to each other (steering geometry).

The correct wheel allignment and steering geometry will help prolong the service life of the tyres and suspension compnents, and will ensure that the car's handling feels 'right'.

WIM charge per adjustment, so the overall cost will depend on how much work your car requires.

 

[markjay]

Good explanation here:

http://www.anewtoronto.com/wheel alignment.html

 

[ScoobyDooLondon]

Wow, thanks for that. There's a lot more to it than I originally envisaged.

Let me call WIM and see what they say and try to book a slot.

 

[ScoobyDooLondon]

Btw, once the alignment is done, how long should it last in that position?

Of course it's not an exact science, but all things being equal, and on our roads, how long should it last?

Does hitting a single pot hole have much effect on the alignment?

 

[ScoobyDooLondon]

Just rang WIM, told him getting my wheels were getting refurbed and he advised I should probably wait a week or so as the alignment kit would touch the wheels and there could be a slight chance of marking. It was just a heads up, but thought that was really good of him.

The wheels are baked but there was a slight risk of marking.

I'll give WIM a call after a week or so.

As for pricing, it's £30+VAT to check and then its a case of whatever needs doing.

 

[Will]

Just rang WIM, told him getting my wheels were getting refurbed and he advised I should probably wait a week or so as the alignment kit would touch the wheels and there could be a slight chance of marking. It was just a heads up, but thought that was really good of him.

The wheels are baked but there was a slight risk of marking.

I'll give WIM a call after a week or so.

As for pricing, it's £30+VAT to check and then its a case of whatever needs doing.

BJV use powder coat and bake the wheels, there's no need to wait a week it will make no difference whatsoever

If you'd refurbed them at home with spray paint then fair enough. If it's on the way home you might as well go for an alignment check on route if you intend on having it done

 

[ScoobyDooLondon]

Cheers Will, I might just do that. It would be a shame to go literally past WIM and have to return.

WIM chap just said there was only a slight chance but it was more of a heads up. Guess he was cautious.

 

[ScoobyDooLondon]

Still in two minds!!

Will, have you been to WIM after visiting BVJ?

Prefer first hand experience or am I overdoing it!

 

[nb_racing]

If it's not broken, don't fix it.

 

[Will]

Never used WIM, not sure it's essential to get the wheel alignment done if you're having no issues with pulling or tyre wear either tbh.

I agree to a point - if it's not broken?

 

[Charles Morgan]

If you can't feel anything wrong and are sensible, don't bother.

If you're like me and think the suspension should be so much better, do, and I've always been very happy afterwards. My 190 Cosworth is now handling brilliantly as numerous small things were found wrong.

 

[Dee James]

my ML drove fine when i bought it a few weeks back but wear on the inside edge of both rear and fronts meant i had to replace the tyres and suggested the alignment needed looking at. I took it to a place local to me who don`t charge if it does n`t need doing and paid a very reasonable £65 to have the front and back done - even more reasonable when you consider they had to revisit the job twice because they spent an hour unsuccessfully trying to get the tie rods to budge and did n`t charge me for it . . .

was it worth it? yes absolutely, mine were WAY out