Alignment adjustment required or not essential?

[Deisel Weisel]

Took my Fathers Polo in for a new tyre, plus a free alignment check today.

Dad had hit a kerb, causing a puncture, on the OSF, hence the new tyre.

They showed me the following readout and explained the OSF was looking true, but the NSF needed adjusting. These numbers don’t mean much to me. Does the NSF really need adjusting, or are they more interested in the £35 for doing so? Apparently the rears aren't adjustable on a 2010 Polo.




edit: I just noticed the OSF number is in red and NSF in green. Did they get that around the wrong way?

Edited by Deisel Weisel on Tuesday 2nd May 22:50

[Classy6]

Makes sense, the osf is out (drivers side front) which was the wheel that was hit.

Camber is out on the osf (the red number/slider in top right) and the toe is out completely overall (number in the middle of the 2 front wheels), but weird it doesn't show individual front values for the toe. I'm assuming the wheel is probably off centre a bit at the moment when it's driving straight and it may even pull slightly?

For £35 I would be doing it, keep in mind that will probably just only be the tracking (toe - middle number) adjusted for that price. When the toe is adjusted, the camber (top right) may come back into spec or may not, if not I imagine it will be additional cost to adjust.

The consequence of not doing it is probable premature/uneven wear of tyres and a steering wheel that when centre doesn't drive quite straight.

Edited by Classy6 on Wednesday 3rd May 00:31

[E-bmw]

Classy6 said:

but weird it doesn't show individual front values for the toe.

Edited by Classy6 on Wednesday 3rd May 00:31

Yes it does

- 20min left 0 right

[Classy6]

E-bmw said:

Yes it does

- 20min left 0 right

Absolutely no idea how I missed that now you've pointed it out

[Deisel Weisel]

Thanks. So far enough out to warrant a £35 spend?

[E-bmw]

If you don't spend £35 on alignment you could VERY easily spend a few times that on tyres, what is there to even consider?

[HustleRussell]

You have 20 minutes toe out when it's supposed to be toeing in. The car will feel better on the road with the front toe correct and the steering wheel centered, and the front tyres will last longer. Whether it's worth it or not is up to you and your money.