Wheel Alignment Issues - What are your thoughts?

[Mafoo]

I took my car to Costco a couple of weeks ago to reshoe the rear alloys with some Michelin rubber.

While in I mentioned that I had had the front bushes changed from which I was told that I could pay to get the wheels aligned/tracked etc etc.

Done about 6 weeks ago and not driven much since. Queue a lengthyish journey and tje car is driving like it is on marbles (pulling, light front end, awful ride, pulls everywhere when going over any sign of bump in the road).

I stopped at an ATS and was told that they would not toich the car as it could not be aligned using laser equipment and was a specialist job (and that Costco should not have touched it and should have advised the same).

Is this true?

 

[mr wilks]

How many miles have you covered on the new rubber ?
If it wasn't like that before new tyres then as a matter of course check pressures on all 4 , check all 4 are correctly balanced & then its a full alignment i guess which by all accounts your nearest "Infiniti" dealer is the way to go
I know many go for alignment after a set of tyres but ive never felt the need & i chop & change different wheels+tyres almost monthly

 

[Bing]

Hunter alignment uses lasers, so I am not sure why they say it can't be done using laser equipment. I had mine done recently on a Hunter Hawkeye system - I'd just get it done. Not sure I'd have let costco play with my suspension geometry.

 

[Adamski]

Got mine done in my roady (Hunter) and with my coupe (KDS). No probs.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jan_tekin]

Had mine aligned at ATS after a puncher, they didn't have any trouble doing it. Cheep as all as there's is a fixed price. Took at back to my local one after I fitted some lowering spring and it was to low for them to carry out the alignment so I had to find a garage with a hunter machine.

 

[Mafoo]

All very odd then. Bing - TBH I didnt think about it when they said regretting it now as it drives like a 2CV. Just emailed Cistco to explain. They should pay to sort it IMO.

 

[Toe-side]

Not sure what Costco did. Have you been back to discuss with the staff? As a member Costco they usually treat you pretty well and look after your concerns I have found. You have paid to join so they try and resolve issues.
However I would only use a laser alignment (with the Z) and use with staff who demonstrate a knowledge of car handling and set up. Also they ask you what you want from your cars response or handling.
Sounds likes it is bump steering and they have set the wheels incorrectly? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bump_steer
or
http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/chassis-suspension/ctrp-1001-bump-steer-explained/
Good luck in getting things sorted

 

[Mafoo]

All sorted. Just taken the car in for Hunter alignment. Absolutely miles out (probably linked to my changing of the front bushes/lower suspension arms a couple of months ago and the general hammering these car get on British roads).

Up on ramps being rectified. Lets hope they dont find anything else as it is going up for sale after this.....

 

[Toe-side]

Good that you found the issue
You leaving the Z4 ranks or upgrading??

 

[Mafoo]

Leaving the ranks for a bit. Buying a place and need to save heavily for the next 6 months.

Ad to follow ;-)

 

[Toe-side]

GLWT new project and the sale