First 'A' Service - daft question??

[Tim Netherton]

Got my first service booked for later this month now the 'little beauty' is a year old and I have a question.

Read things on here about a Geo check which I guess is a geometry check - sorry to be daft but what is it?

Also would a main dealer do one as part of the 'A' service and if not, would it cost extra if I asked for one to be done?

Ta in advance for any advice

[gfun]

The geo check is on suspension set up (the sales pitch is if you don’t have it done you may be sitting on a wobbly chair with one leg shorter than the other three) and no its not part of the service.

Unless you are frequently pushing the car hard (track days) I doubt you would ever notice the difference apart from the added performance due to a lighter wallet.

Personally would not have it done unless I suspected something was wrong or was trying for better times on the track.

If you are worried you can try a quick test of tire temperatures to see if you have any hot spots.

[Tim Netherton]

Thanks for that gfun - as I'm not taking it on track at the moment i'll give it a miss.

[bogie]

mmm - I have mine done every 6 months ! most of the cars that leave the factory dont have the correct geo...and just hitting a bug pothole can knock it out. Its about £40 to be checked + whatever needs adjusting - if everything is out (very rare) it can cost up to £200

if its properly set up you generally experience:

improved response and turn in to corners
better stability under braking
reduced understeer

so there you go - a different perspective (and salespitch!)

it should be done on a Hunter laser alignment machine and you should get a print out 'before' showing nay readings that are out of spec, then some advice on whether its worth adjusting, then a print out after showing the geo being in-spec

you need a dealer or specialist that has one of these machines - if you are near london then www.sinclairebodyshop.co.uk is the place to go - they have 3 or 4 different geo settings you can choose from depending on intended use/model of elise/suspension set up

cheers

bogie

[Tim Netherton]

Thanks bogie - food for thought then!!

[gfun]

Just watch out for the next pothole that now all have £40 price tags on them - lol

[dragstar]

Guys,

I was of the impression that an un-geo'd elise could lead to uneven tyre wear?

if so, that is a good enough reason to get it done, especially with yokis at £105 a corner (rear)

[Bonce]

Yes, it can. But you'd (hopefully) notice the poor handling before the tyre wear became apparent. Some people wouldn't though - a friend of mine drove his MX5 for months with broken spring on a rear damper, the first he knew about it was when it failed the MOT.

[dragstar]

learnt something new today

[gfun]

Also if you pick the wrong set up it will no doubt improve grip but will increase tyre wear in day to day driving.

[dragstar]

[jfrf]

even i noticed a slighly better turn in on the road after it had been geoed
..and im a cr*p driver and dont go on track

must admit its not cheap though at 150 quid

[elisesport]

Take it to Plans Motorsport at Dunsfold, geo £99 + 'A' service £180.(tel [phone])

Remember you don't have to use a dealer to keep the warranty valid.

[Tim Netherton]

Thanks elisesport-good tip and a very good price!

[bogie]

great price - and they have a test track so you can test it out after

seriously though - if you are driving an Elise with incorrect geo, youre not driving it as it was intended to be driven