4 wheel alignment

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Please recommend a 4 wheel alignment place on Teesside; one you have used with complete satisfaction. I've only had bad experiences to date.

Criteria:
Steering wheel straight after alignment
Car running straight
Turns in better than it did before alignment
Tyres wearing evenly

Cheers

Joe

Edited by ttcool on Monday 30th August 14:46

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Hemingway said:

Might have to travel, but try Falcon Engineering on Skippers Lane or drive down to Track Torque at Tockwith, near York. You should be able to try the car on the handling circuit to confirm the adjustments suit your requirements.

I have used both and can recommend them both.

Interesting that you should recommend and have used Falcon Engineering. I made an equiry there and they said they didn't have a four wheel alignment machine, e.g. John Bean or Hunter. Maybe they use the old and trusted method ...sometimes better IMO.

Joe

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Hemingway said:

Might have to travel, but try Falcon Engineering on Skippers Lane or drive down to Track Torque at Tockwith, near York. You should be able to try the car on the handling circuit to confirm the adjustments suit your requirements.

I have used both and can recommend them both.

Cheers, I'm booked in at Track Torque at Tockwith for next Tuesday the 14th September. They are talking my language and I feel confident they will succeed where others have failed. Thanks for the suggestion. I'll let you know how I get on.

Joe

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I don't know yet, except to say it will be more than the local guys. There could be other work to do before the 4 wheel alignment; track rod ends, front wishbone bush replacement with Powerflex bushes and whatever else needs doing to tighten up the steering feel. The car is 10 years old. I bought it new but nothing has been replaced on the steering. There may not be any extra work to be done. I understand they charge seperately for the 4 wheel alignment initial check and then £50 an hour for adjustment. A bit steep, I know, but not as steep as the 'know nowts' I've used locally as they've collectively had more than a few attempts to get it right.

I'm in the rock-and-a-hard-place camp because I have all the means, including a level surface, to check the settings afterwards with the Dunlop Optical Alignment and Camber Gauge tools but changing the settings is very very difficult without a lift. Last time I did it myself it took me 2 days. Unfortunately the winter left the moor roads, and many others for that matter, in a dreadful state and the job needs doing again. On top of that I'm fitting new Michelin PS3 tyres (from PS2) so I'm looking for the best people to do my 4 wheel alignment this time. I hope I've found them. I'll report back.

Joe

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Reporting in as promised. I've been over to Track Talk today and had the business done. First, the bad
news...be seated and pour yourself a large brandy.

All-in including vat, it cost £152.75

The good news is, it is the best 4 wheel alingment I've ever experienced. Not only is the steering wheel straight but also the handling is much improved. The car feels stable, drives straight and turns in as I want it to.

Before the job started we talked about what I was using the car for and driving preferences. I left the rest to them. I've been out around some frequently used local roads tonight and it feels great; less hard work than it was before.

Joe

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PS No remedial work was required.

Joe

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Just a few pics from Track Torque:























Joe

Edited by ttcool on Wednesday 15th September 19:11