4 wheel alignment cost

Chris_h · April 20, 2006, 01:26

As my front inner tread block is wearing slightly ahead of the rest of the tyre, I think it would be sensible to get an alignment check done. I was quite surprised when I was at Toyota yesterday having had my car serviced that they mentioned I should just 'get it done when I go to my tyre fitters for new fronts'

- Surely a Toyota place is the way to go as they have all the specific measurements for the car?

- What is the going rate for this? - or what is a good price? Is there 2 charges based on a check and adjustment?

I must admit, I am a bit worried about having anything tinkered with as the car is really on song at the moment. But I also don't want to prematurely wear some more fronts. A motor racing friend was also telling me how ajustments within the tolerances stated by manufacturer (for camber / castor / toe) can make it feel totally different.

Any advice from those who have had this done?

Cheers,

Chris

spit · April 20, 2006, 08:26

Not had it done Chris ...... its been on my list for a while s:oops: :oops: s:oops:

However, Philster had the full laser alignment treatment at Demon Tweeks in Wrexham which isn't such a great slog for you. Just a shade over 50 quid I think. I've heard varying reports of the range of competency across MrTs so maybe Phil can comment on the service at DT?

Two's Company · April 20, 2006, 08:36

I'd be interested to find somewhere in the North West to get the alignment checked as well?

red_leicester · April 20, 2006, 08:38

I remember having this done on my Golf at a VW dealer.

They assured me everything was within manufacturer's tolerance, but the car pulled to the left quite severly, much more than I thought was acceptable. Suppose it depends what the tolerance is - if you go to Mr T they may not improve it if it's within tolerance already.

I personally would take it to a tyre specialist rather than a main dealer.

Anonymous · April 20, 2006, 08:49

I just got 4 tyres fitted at National Tyres and the fitter advised to get this done as mine were wearing on the inside, not had it done yet but it was only £25.00.

I got a price from Reg Vardy when my car was going in for the MOT and they wanted £80.00

philster_d · April 20, 2006, 08:51

They said there is not much to adjust on the stock suspension.

You can buy some longer bolts (from mr t) and then they could adjust something extra like camber.

Anywat DT made 2 adjustments I think to front and rear toe, remember I have the teins.

Philster.

mrsmr2 · April 20, 2006, 10:00

I paid £76 to my local Mr T for it.

It was also checked and adjusted at the last service - cost was around £34 for the adjustments (the check is part of the 20k service).

Anonymous · April 20, 2006, 10:35

I have just had new tyres all round. I was on bridgestones before (2nd set of bridgestones) and the inner tyre block always weared away even though I allways had the 4 wheel alighnment done every 6 months (on both sets). The inner blocks were worn to nothing whilst still 2.5mm in middle of tyre. I have changes to Toyo Proxies T1R s now and have notices that they have a less stiff sidewall so hope the inner tyre wear is less on this type of tyre. I also love the T1Rs over the Bridgestones by the way.

I belive the inner tread block tyre wear is due to stiffer sidewall on bridgestone potenzias and also a characteristic of the car as the high inclination angle increases negative camber with steering.

My 4 wheel alighnment was done at the Chemix chain of garages in the midlands and costs £58 which includes adjusting the front and rear.

Chris_h · April 20, 2006, 13:42

Neil (and all)

Thanks for your responses. I too am beginning to believe the inner block wears out quicker because of a camber setting. IMO, this is what give the car its excellent darty turn in characteristics and definitiely don't want this dialled out to something neutral.

Neil - mine seem the same as yours, only the innermost block has worn excessively. Its down to 1.6, the rest of the tyre 3.0. I think it is OK, so I'm going to leave it.

Car drives perfectly straight, not nasty characteristics.

Cheers,

Chris

darrenjuggins · April 20, 2006, 14:15

Hi,

The wear on the front is carateristic of the car and is to be expected.

The car runs mostly on these bits, only using the rest of the tread during cornering.

The Rear's should offer a consistant wear, although my car seems to favour the passenger side as a drive wheel, thus this wear quicker.

anything from 12 - 20 (000) miles on a set would be good, you will always find the rears need replacing before the fronts.

Cost of Lazer alignment at my Toyota Garage, is approx £48.00.

Cheers

Darren J

Chris_h · April 20, 2006, 19:42

Cheers all

Mind now at rest - i was under the assumption initially that the car ran signicant negative camber (cause of this wear) but some other discussion resulted in me doubting this.

FWIW, my car has been driven slowly for 25k on the same fronts - I imagine more aggressive driving would promote more even wear.

New Potenzas it is

GSB · April 20, 2006, 19:49

Quote from: "darrenjuggins"The Rear's should offer a consistant wear, although my car seems to favour the passenger side as a drive wheel, thus this wear quicker.

Dount it has anything to do with drive, probabley more to do with roundabouts?

Quote from: "darrenjuggins"anything from 12 - 20 (000) miles on a set would be good, you will always find the rears need replacing before the fronts.

Clearly, you're not trying hard enough Darren! s:wink: :wink: s:wink:

markiii · April 20, 2006, 20:04

manufacturers specs are so wide you could drive a bus through

they can still be ins pec and not drive right

darrenjuggins · April 20, 2006, 22:12

Tee, Hee GSB!

Yeah your probably right, I tootle about in mine mostly.

Yeah your probably right on the roundabout, cornering, etc....

But apart from the wear the handling and feel is spot on.

Probably because of the tootling about ! s:roll: :roll: s:roll: