Alignment specialist in the South East
Discussion
So, my project is progressing nicely (albeit not as fast as I would like) and today I fitted the new suspension to each corner.
This has got me thinking.
When it is on the road and has an MOT, as a matter of priority, I want to get the suspension set up by someone who knows what they are doing and knows one end of a Griffith from the other.
While I am prepared to travel to find the right person, as I live in the South East of the country, I would rather avoid going to the North West for it.
Any recommendations?
This has got me thinking.
When it is on the road and has an MOT, as a matter of priority, I want to get the suspension set up by someone who knows what they are doing and knows one end of a Griffith from the other.
While I am prepared to travel to find the right person, as I live in the South East of the country, I would rather avoid going to the North West for it.
Any recommendations?
I know the Owner of the local tyre place in the village quite well and he said "we have four wheel alignment gear, come in when we are closed, put it on the ramp and play to your hearts content". It is a nice offer, but...
This is really starting from scratch. Anyone can do toe in / toe out / tracking at the front. Obviously the Griff has toe adjusters at the rear. It has shims on the uprights and slotted holes in the wishbones for camber / caster. I wouldn't have a clue what ride height set, or how firm to set the dampers for a "first guess" (they were set at "half clicks" today).
To be honest, I would much rather it wasn't a long drive. If, for no other reason, I want to do it ASAP (for tyre wear if it is miles out) and I don't want to venture too far away from home on the first day in a car that hasn't moved for 12 years. It may be I get the basics done locally and at a later stage get it fine tuned elsewhere, but ideally, I would like to find someone who can do it all on day one.
This is really starting from scratch. Anyone can do toe in / toe out / tracking at the front. Obviously the Griff has toe adjusters at the rear. It has shims on the uprights and slotted holes in the wishbones for camber / caster. I wouldn't have a clue what ride height set, or how firm to set the dampers for a "first guess" (they were set at "half clicks" today).
To be honest, I would much rather it wasn't a long drive. If, for no other reason, I want to do it ASAP (for tyre wear if it is miles out) and I don't want to venture too far away from home on the first day in a car that hasn't moved for 12 years. It may be I get the basics done locally and at a later stage get it fine tuned elsewhere, but ideally, I would like to find someone who can do it all on day one.
There are lots of places around without going north. I'm not sure where "south east is" but you could try Matt Smith Sports Cars, Maidstone Sports Cars, Plans Performance, Steve Guggliami etc.. Some of these may want a few hours labour and insist on replacing any joints with any play before they start.
I don't know how long you have had your car and what condition the rest of the components are in but having had mine only a few months I just had mine"aligned" in a local tyre place and until I have replaced anything with any play, had the dampers serviced, replaced the front spoiler etc.. i wont be having the specialists set it up.
I don't know how long you have had your car and what condition the rest of the components are in but having had mine only a few months I just had mine"aligned" in a local tyre place and until I have replaced anything with any play, had the dampers serviced, replaced the front spoiler etc.. i wont be having the specialists set it up.
BIG DUNC said:
I know the Owner of the local tyre place in the village quite well and he said "we have four wheel alignment gear, come in when we are closed, put it on the ramp and play to your hearts content". It is a nice offer, but...
This is really starting from scratch. Anyone can do toe in / toe out / tracking at the front. Obviously the Griff has toe adjusters at the rear. It has shims on the uprights and slotted holes in the wishbones for camber / caster. I wouldn't have a clue what ride height set, or how firm to set the dampers for a "first guess" (they were set at "half clicks" today).
To be honest, I would much rather it wasn't a long drive. If, for no other reason, I want to do it ASAP (for tyre wear if it is miles out) and I don't want to venture too far away from home on the first day in a car that hasn't moved for 12 years. It may be I get the basics done locally and at a later stage get it fine tuned elsewhere, but ideally, I would like to find someone who can do it all on day one.
That is a fantastically generous offer and one that you should jump for. Those tyre shop aligners are designed for Krapfit type monkeys ie they are idiot proof and basically show you what and which way to turn each adjuster. If nothing else, you'll get a set of initial readings to go away with and mull over and get your head around, return again when you've worked out what needs moving and by how much. You'll get a drivable set up very cheaply this way which will do until you can get to one of the accepted specialists for a fine tune. And you will have learnt a lot too because it was your eyes brain and hands doing it.This is really starting from scratch. Anyone can do toe in / toe out / tracking at the front. Obviously the Griff has toe adjusters at the rear. It has shims on the uprights and slotted holes in the wishbones for camber / caster. I wouldn't have a clue what ride height set, or how firm to set the dampers for a "first guess" (they were set at "half clicks" today).
To be honest, I would much rather it wasn't a long drive. If, for no other reason, I want to do it ASAP (for tyre wear if it is miles out) and I don't want to venture too far away from home on the first day in a car that hasn't moved for 12 years. It may be I get the basics done locally and at a later stage get it fine tuned elsewhere, but ideally, I would like to find someone who can do it all on day one.
STR8SIX did mine they talked to me about how I wanted the car to feel before they did anything and then did it told me to take it for a drive and come back if I wanted any changes, I didn't have to go back they delivered exactly what I asked for.
I think it is their extensive race experience that helped as what I wanted was not the standard set up.
I think it is their extensive race experience that helped as what I wanted was not the standard set up.
HorneyMX5 said:
The Wheel Alignment Centre in Southampton. Sets up all my road cars and the race cars I share. Knows his stuff and it's never more then £60. Just search the forum and see feedback from others on here.
You know he's good when you find out he is the technical help desk for the alignment machine manufacturer.Steve
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