Alignment John Bean v Hunter?

[PositronicRay]

1994 Merc SL (R129)

I've knocked the camber out fitting new LCA's and struts.

2 yrs ago when I 1st purchased the car, I had a Hunter alignment, cost about £100. From memory, they checked FOC, then charged £20 per adjustment.

I've just spoken to a local place they have a John Bean machine, they will charge £40 for the front or £80 for all 4.

a) Which place should I use?
b) I haven't carried out any work on the rear, since the previous alignment should I just have the front done?

[stevieturbo]

I'd be more interested in the competence of the person using the equipment, than the equipment itself.

[PositronicRay]

Good point, the local (John Bean) place is well established with a good reputation.

[Matt Seabrook]

Agreed both are great bits of kit. It's the chap operating it and twisting the spanners that will make the difference. I know that £20 is £20 but it's not worth cutting the cost if the dear is better than the cheaper.try and get recommendations.

[CarsOrBikes]

I'd get all four done. Just because the front are put in line it doesn't mean they are in respect to the rear, and you could have a thrust angle you don't want.

[PositronicRay]

I did all 4 rear toe was slightly out. Took ages, the operator did not adjust the front camber he tried to bring it into line with the toe(said there was no camber adjustment on the car) camber and caster were completely out. He adjusted it properly after I showed him the camber bolts! It's all fine now and the come into spec.

Just shows you've got to keep an eye on these guys. Some people would just have accepted it

[stevieturbo]

PositronicRay said:

I did all 4 rear toe was slightly out. Took ages, the operator did not adjust the front camber he tried to bring it into line with the toe(said there was no camber adjustment on the car) camber and caster were completely out. He adjusted it properly after I showed him the camber bolts! It's all fine now and the come into spec.

Just shows you've got to keep an eye on these guys. Some people would just have accepted it

I guess in his defence, if that car didnt normally have camber adjustment, he would have no reason to go looking for it.

It would be up to you to tell them you've fitted parts that would allow adjustment

[PositronicRay]

stevieturbo said:

PositronicRay said:

I did all 4 rear toe was slightly out. Took ages, the operator did not adjust the front camber he tried to bring it into line with the toe(said there was no camber adjustment on the car) camber and caster were completely out. He adjusted it properly after I showed him the camber bolts! It's all fine now and the come into spec.

Just shows you've got to keep an eye on these guys. Some people would just have accepted it

I guess in his defence, if that car didnt normally have camber adjustment, he would have no reason to go looking for it.

It would be up to you to tell them you've fitted parts that would allow adjustment

It's a Merc, camber adjustment is std and hardly exotic. I told the guy on the desk that the control arms & struts replaced and now the Camber was out (old bolts seized and cut off) I don't think the message was passed on to the spanner guy. Even so spanner guy should have spotted shiny new arms and bolts.

No harm done, spanner guy quite embarrassed and apologetic at the time taken.

[Matt Seabrook]

Camber adjustment isn't standard on all Mercs some need replacement bolts available from Merc. Not an excuse for not looking but it's very easy to be critical when your the one that's had everything apart.