Discussion
So, what would you have done?
.... I take the car in for a pair of new front tyres. The old tyres have worn evenly & lasted a decent mileage.
As I leave the car the guy says "we'll measure the alignment for you"..
There was something about the way he said it that made me do a double take.
As you can guess, a couple of hours later he rang to say it was 5% out, but he'd do a discounted adjustment. I just said get on with it.
When I picked the car up, I asked if the alignment was out, why had the tyres not worn unevenly? He gave me some old bollicks, but by then it was too late really. Talking to a colleague who had taken their car to the same place, had the same diagnosis.
It might very well all be innocent & above board, but my rip-off radar is twitching. In any event I won't be going back.
What would you have done?
.... I take the car in for a pair of new front tyres. The old tyres have worn evenly & lasted a decent mileage.
As I leave the car the guy says "we'll measure the alignment for you"..
There was something about the way he said it that made me do a double take.
As you can guess, a couple of hours later he rang to say it was 5% out, but he'd do a discounted adjustment. I just said get on with it.
When I picked the car up, I asked if the alignment was out, why had the tyres not worn unevenly? He gave me some old bollicks, but by then it was too late really. Talking to a colleague who had taken their car to the same place, had the same diagnosis.
It might very well all be innocent & above board, but my rip-off radar is twitching. In any event I won't be going back.
What would you have done?
...oh yeah, well, it was 5 something 2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
HustleRussell said:
Eighteeteewhy said:
5 minutes out.
Indeed. But even that is worth adjusting out- OP, did you get a print-out? 
Before/after readings would reveal for sure whether the work was worth your while- ask if they can do one in future.
HustleRussell said:
2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
HustleRussell said:
Eighteeteewhy said:
5 minutes out.
Indeed. But even that is worth adjusting out- OP, did you get a print-out? Before/after readings would reveal for sure whether the work was worth your while- ask if they can do one in future.
Great tip. I had my tracking checked and adjusted yesterday - because my front tyres are wearing unevenly. If you weren't having a problem with odd tyre wear or handling, then I'd have told them not to touch it.
Yesterday the helpful chap offered me to stay with him and watch while he did it. It takes as much time(or longer) to get the car and equipment setup to do a proper alignment measurement, than it does to actually make the changes. So I can't see a garage checking it for free without you asking, on the off chance that it might be out/you might want it changing. Sounds like trying it on to me.
This is using a proper laser 4 wheel alignment rig, anything less just isn't worth the bother IMO. My front tyres are wearing badly on the inside edge, yet the front geometry was only a fraction off perfect, if that was enough to cause the wear then I wouldn't trust anything less than a laser alignment.
Yesterday the helpful chap offered me to stay with him and watch while he did it. It takes as much time(or longer) to get the car and equipment setup to do a proper alignment measurement, than it does to actually make the changes. So I can't see a garage checking it for free without you asking, on the off chance that it might be out/you might want it changing. Sounds like trying it on to me.
This is using a proper laser 4 wheel alignment rig, anything less just isn't worth the bother IMO. My front tyres are wearing badly on the inside edge, yet the front geometry was only a fraction off perfect, if that was enough to cause the wear then I wouldn't trust anything less than a laser alignment.
As far as I can tell, it's a complete myth that the laser machines are more accurate. I can get my geo more accurate with some bits of wood and string than any of the laser alignment systems seem to manage (although whether that's the operator or the machine calibration, I don't know).
Takes a damned slight longer, mind.
Takes a damned slight longer, mind.
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