Wheel Balancing or Alignment ?

[uuf361]

Not sure which of these I need or if I need something different altogether.

The steering wheel is slightly off cnetre on my '04 Subaru Legacy (so it's AWD/4WD) and it's a tad annoying and want to get it fixed but not sure what it is I need to get done....D'oh!

There is no wheel wobble so I don't think it's balancing I want ?

Any advice and it is OK to take it to the local Kwik Fit etc to get done and likely cost ?

Cheers

[bertelli_1]

Probably alignment. I'd try www.alignmycar.co.uk which will cost a bit more that KF but well worth it to get the job done right.

[uuf361]

Cheers - any idea on the likely cost ?

[MondeoMan1981]

Local franchise of a small scottish tyre chain takes £29.99 for alignment, think KF take £39.99

If you have AA or RAC look to see if they get you anything off at these places, might save a few quid.

[RobM77]

I noticed you're in Surrey/Sussex, so if you can make it down to Micheldever Tyres they do a good job. What you want is a four wheel alignment check (not just a local garage using tow gauges). Most places will include a simple toe change in the price (which will get your steering wheel straight again), which is normally about £30. To alter camber or any of the rear settings will require more work and more money.

It's well worth doing though; if your wheel geometry is right the car will drive much better and wear out its tyres less too.

[.:ian:.]

bertelli_1 said:

Probably alignment. I'd try www.alignmycar.co.uk which will cost a bit more that KF but well worth it to get the job done right.

Do this, dont take it to kwikstitchup,, shouldnt be more than about £50 if you phone around a few, and they will align the wheels to the center-line of the car (with the wheel straight) and not the front wheels to the back like most tyre monkies..

[uuf361]

RobM77 said:

I noticed you're in Surrey/Sussex, so if you can make it down to Micheldever Tyres they do a good job. What you want is a four wheel alignment check (not just a local garage using tow gauges). Most places will include a simple toe change in the price (which will get your steering wheel straight again), which is normally about £30. To alter camber or any of the rear settings will require more work and more money.

It's well worth doing though; if your wheel geometry is right the car will drive much better and wear out its tyres less too.

In Winchester so not a disaster

[RobM77]

uuf361 said:

RobM77 said:

I noticed you're in Surrey/Sussex, so if you can make it down to Micheldever Tyres they do a good job. What you want is a four wheel alignment check (not just a local garage using tow gauges). Most places will include a simple toe change in the price (which will get your steering wheel straight again), which is normally about £30. To alter camber or any of the rear settings will require more work and more money.

It's well worth doing though; if your wheel geometry is right the car will drive much better and wear out its tyres less too.

In Winchester so not a disaster

:-)

They're a very rush you in rush you out sort of place but they almost always do a good job and it's a professional setup. I've been going there on and off sibce I started driving 15 years ago. They're also fantastic on price (thry save me about £200 on a set of tyres compared with my local place). I was there getting a new tyre and tracking yesterday after a pot hole wrecked my tyre. I live in Hook, J5 M3.