2 or 4 wheel alignment?

[hogweed]

So I recently had my front o/s hub replaced as it was badly worn – so much so that my steering wheel had suddenly started pointing off-centre. Anyway, all OK now… except I fancy the steering wheel is still a tiny fraction off. It’s such a small amount that I can’t be sure it isn't my imagination.

Anyway, I had to get front tyres put on today (local place where I know the owner, so not Kwikfleece trying to rip me off), and it was only £15 to align the front wheels, so I asked for that.

“Ah… no, sorry Sir, can’t do that on this model – yours has adjustable rear wheels too, so we will only do them all – 45 of your English Pounds.”

So I haven't yet. Advice please? Are they right to say you can’t just do the front ones?

Secondly, I remember hearing years ago – I think on the BM forum – horror stories about some bolts shearing at the rear when they tried to do this. Is this at all likely to happen on my Rover?

Ta

[SD1too]

Originally Posted by hogweed

Are they right to say you can’t just do the front ones?

It is physically possible to adjust just the front but would be an unwise decision. This is because if there is a rear error (and my car did have one) it will affect the alignment of the front of the car. So the garage is giving you sensible advice.

I remember hearing years ago ... horror stories about some bolts shearing at the rear when they tried to do this. Is this at all likely to happen on my Rover?

The rear bolts which need to be loosened are likely to be rusty (mine were) and difficult to loosen. I don't recall anyone on this forum reporting them shearing though. Horror stories sell newspapers!

Simon

[hogweed]

Originally Posted by SD1too

It is physically possible to adjust just the front but would be an unwise decision. This is because if there is a rear error (and my car did have one) it will affect the alignment of the front of the car. So the garage is giving you sensible advice.

Thanks Simon, good to know.

Originally Posted by SD1too

The rear bolts which need to be loosened are likely to be rusty (mine were) and difficult to loosen. I don't recall anyone on this forum reporting them shearing though. Horror stories sell newspapers!

Simon

Simon. If something like that is even theoretically possible, it will happen to me – count on it

[T-Cut]

For adjusting wheel toe, the front wheels are set against the rears, which are either assumed to be correct (on cars with non-adjustable rear suspensions), or the rears are set first. Becaue your rears are adjustable, it seems the tracking depot isn't satisfied to assume the rears are OK. I suppose to go by the book, the depot is correct. But it also seems to me that you can buy as much or as little service as you want. I'd be very surprised if every 75/ZT that receives tracking adjustment has the rears done first, particularly if there's no evidence that the rears are incorrect (Tyre scuffing). You could see it as a way of getting more money out of you (assuming the rears are OK) or that they're only following the book. Try another depot.



TC

[MSS]

Originally Posted by SD1too

It is physically possible to adjust just the front but would be an unwise decision. This is because if there is a rear error (and my car did have one) it will affect the alignment of the front of the car. So the garage is giving you sensible advice.........

Simon

I agree. I would also be cautious of anyone doing 2-wheel alignment for £15.

I would take the car to a Hunter equipped garage for 4-wheel alignment.

You can find such garages here. https://www.alignmycar.co.uk/?gclid=...SAAEgIZ0fD_BwE


The garage that I use have a fixed charge for checking on all 4 wheels and a per-wheel charge for those that require a correction. They are rather expensive but do the job well.

[hogweed]

Originally Posted by T-Cut

For adjusting wheel toe, the front wheels are set against the rears, which are either assumed to be correct (on cars with non-adjustable rear suspensions), or the rears are set first. Becaue your rears are adjustable, it seems the tracking depot isn't satisfied to assume the rears are OK. I suppose to go by the book, the depot is correct. But it also seems to me that you can buy as much or as little service as you want. I'd be very surprised if every 75/ZT that receives tracking adjustment has the rears done first, particularly if there's no evidence that the rears are incorrect (Tyre scuffing). You could see it as a way of getting more money out of you (assuming the rears are OK) or that they're only following the book. Try another depot.



TC

Thanks TC, that's kind of the (unscientific) logic I was using when they told me, which is why I wondered, I guess. Certainly don't have any uneven wear problems at the rear... I do think they're just trying to do it the right way though, so I suppose it's up to me...

[hogweed]

Originally Posted by mss

I agree. I would also be cautious of anyone doing 2-wheel alignment for £15.

Well, to be fair, they only offer it at that price if you buy tyres from them

[Heddy]

I've got no uneven tyre wear on any of the tyres. I can't wait to get rid of the cheap ones I inherited when buying the car though. When the time comes I'll have the front wheel alignment done. I would have thought that if the front were in line with the rears then all would be fine.

[tourer]

My Tourer came out of the factory with one rear mis-aligned. As mentioned, it caused the tyre to scuff. Once corrected, all alignment stayed fine for the next 14 years.
Btw, it was actually re-tracked using a Trak-Rite.

[Ross R75]

More modern alignment systems align all 4 wheels from a fixed reference point. They don't use the rears to align the fronts, which has always been a recipe for uneven tyre wear. Many R75s had misaligned rear toe setting from the factory, so it's well worth having a proper 4 wheel alignment done on the Hunter Hawkeye system, which has the added benefit of being almost idiot proof. I noticed a huge difference in handling and stability after my car was aligned on this system. Not cheap though, circa £129.