Steering wheel not straight after 2 wheel aligment

[mr2stuff]

Hi All,

MR2 related as I'll likely get a full wheel aligment done at some stage at a local place.
I took our family wagon to get some front springs done and they offered to include front tracking wheel aligment, the car came back with the steering wheel off centre slightly - the guy said let the new springs settle for a week and come back if needed.
I took it back for another alignment - ended up with the steering wheel off centre about 30 degrees to the right, took it straight back and after a 3rd attempt the steering wheel is now 20 degrees to the left off centre and the front of the car pulls to the right - as it was closing time by then, they said I could come back on Monday and they'll have another look.

My feeling is just to give up as these guys as don't seem to know what they are doing and sounds like I really need a 4 wheel alignment - I've read "Hunters" are the best in the business.  There seems to be a local one near me using the alignmycar website.
Any thoughts on the above and any recommendations in the area.

I'm not letting these local guys anywhere near my MR2 at this rate!

Cheers.

[Topdownman]

I wouldnt let them off the hook, I would keep taking it back until they get it right (and then never use them again).

They should have centralised the wheel and locked it in position then do the alignment and it doesnt sound like they did this.

[mr2stuff]

Cheers thanks, good advice, I'll ask insist they get it sorted otherwise I'd be paying for someone else to fix their mess.

I'll make sure I ask them to centralise the steering wheel and lock it first.

Thanks.

[Standard]

If it's not pulling and drives straight why not take the wheel off and put it back on straight?

[tricky1138]

Must have missed this. Where in the north east are you?

Got a couple of places local to me if you want a decent 4 wheel alignment done.

[shnazzle]

First advice would indeed be to take it back. Having your steering wheel be off is not acceptable nor would it pass MOT (I think).

Second advice is AK Automotive. Pricey (compared to KwikFit), but they'll sort you out.

[1979scotte]

If it's not pulling and drives straight why not take the wheel off and put it back on straight?

No that's not how it's done my friend.

As Simon said above steering wheel should be locked in place before alignment it should never be out.

[james_ly]

Maybe get the rear alignment checked. If the back's out, it can crab up the road and make it seem like the steering is off when it's fine. But they should know that!

[Standard]

If it's not pulling and drives straight why not take the wheel off and put it back on straight?

No that's not how it's done my friend.

As Simon said above steering wheel should be locked in place before alignment it should never be out.

I should have put a smilie on it.

[1979scotte]

If it's not pulling and drives straight why not take the wheel off and put it back on straight?

No that's not how it's done my friend.

As Simon said above steering wheel should be locked in place before alignment it should never be out.

I should have put a smilie on it.

Should have realised

[Ardent]

Hi All,

MR2 related as I'll likely get a full wheel aligment done at some stage at a local place.
I took our family wagon to get some front springs done and they offered to include front tracking wheel aligment, the car came back with the steering wheel off centre slightly - the guy said let the new springs settle for a week and come back if needed.
I took it back for another alignment - ended up with the steering wheel off centre about 30 degrees to the right, took it straight back and after a 3rd attempt the steering wheel is now 20 degrees to the left off centre and the front of the car pulls to the right - as it was closing time by then, they said I could come back on Monday and they'll have another look.

My feeling is just to give up as these guys as don't seem to know what they are doing and sounds like I really need a 4 wheel alignment - I've read "Hunters" are the best in the business.  There seems to be a local one near me using the alignmycar website.
Any thoughts on the above and any recommendations in the area.

I'm not letting these local guys anywhere near my MR2 at this rate!

Cheers.

As good as Hunter kit is, it's only as good as the person using it.
Which can vary by quite a lot.
My local, highly respected alignment specialists use hunter kit, but the result from them compared to Wheels in motion, was night and day.