Prbolems getting wheel alignment checked?

[speed12]

After a new set of Vreds fitted I wanted to get a 4 wheel alignment check carried out.

Car drives fine, however the old set of tyres were all worn on the inside edge and I want to make these Vreds last as long as I can.

I went to ETS in Derby, they do the Hunter 4 wheel laser alignment. However upon parking up, i just mentioned that the alloys where recently refubished and asked if extra care could be taken to not damage the paint.

They said they did not want to risk doing anything, they showed me the alignment clamps which are metal and locate on the outer rim.

So I drove off without any checks done... I would rather they told me upfront to be honest but does this mean I risk damaged wheels whereever I go? maybe I should fit my spare set of 108's and run flats for the alignment check.

Anyone else had this issue?

 

[andysat]

Yep had my alloys marked on my e46

 

[Johnnymiller]

the KDS system BMW use locates on the small holes in the centre of the wheels see image on here

http://www.beissbarth.com/bbcms/News_00/KDS%203D%20wheel%20aligner.htm

admittedly going to BMW probably isnt what you had in mind though...

 

[speed12]

Hmmm

If the Stealers were reasonably priced then I might consider it.

I think I will run these for a few thousand miles and monitor the wear, I could easily stick my old wheels and tyres on just for the alignment check and swap them back again.

 

[aquazi]

i had mine done in McEwans Garage in derby... no marks to my wheeels

 

[Liquid]

Hunter rigs have decent quality clamps that attach at the rim of the rim flange, between the wheel and the tyre.

Providing they take their time attaching them, there's no problem. It sounds like they're a get 'em in, get 'em out type outfit. There's bound to be another firm near you that will do a proper job.

Stick your postcode into this to find local dealers...

www.alignmycar.co.uk

 

[cj10jeeper]

No problem. Had mine done with quality 108's and no issues using Humter equipment.

 

[Adamski]

Had mine done with no issues either. Metal on metal yes. But no marks on the wheels


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Liquid]

They normally have a rubber or plastic sleeve over the clamp's feet to protect the wheel against any possible marking.
Granted, some places may be using older/different equipment but there should be no excuse for shoddiness over such a technical piece of work.

Here's a pic of one fitted to an old E38 of mine when I had it aligned about 5 years ago.

 

[Jembo]

Met some people who said Hunter alignment is a waste of time

At Brands Hatch the other weekend talking to some of the Companies that support the Lotus teams/owners about 4 wheel alignment & the use of this Hunter equipment... and how they used more accurate manual methods with string & gauges (yeah right)

There was a bit of sniggering, partly coz I was at a Lotus event with the Zed but moreover because they went on to say (1) the misuse of highly calibrated equipment eg: not proper care being taken after use / very infrequent re-calibration (2) spring bounce & rebound not correctly settled (3) correct weight distribution (fuel & occupants) (4) whether lowered (5) rims & tyres... all affected a correct reading and all needed careful consideration.

They concluded by pointing to their rack of racing trophies for both Lotus & for one of them their VXR saying see, getting it spot on for everything makes the critical difference. I felt my wallet was about to be emptied so smiled & made a fast exit.