Wheel alignment query...
Discussion
Often a good idea in any case depending on the age and mileage.
Anywhere past around 40k or 5 years there's been time / mileage for it to benefit from being checked / reset.
If you don't want to do it you can insist that the garage changing your track rods measures the length of the currently fitted items and sets the new ones to the same.
It won't be as good as having had it checked / adjusted but if you wish to avoid the expense it can be done without.
Anywhere past around 40k or 5 years there's been time / mileage for it to benefit from being checked / reset.
If you don't want to do it you can insist that the garage changing your track rods measures the length of the currently fitted items and sets the new ones to the same.
It won't be as good as having had it checked / adjusted but if you wish to avoid the expense it can be done without.
Lannister902 said:
I'm getting front track rod ends replaced on my 2 series BMW and been told it'll need a wheel alightment carried out.
Lucky - when I had my Skoda done, they told me their mechanic would "do it by eye" and it turns out his eye wasn't quite as accurate as the Hunter rig 
FWIW, if the wheel alignment's being done, you might as well have the rear checked at the same time. Lots of places only charge if adjustments are required.
Chris
Yeah definitely do it all, certainly for the relatively small difference in the cost of 2/4 wheel alignment.
"By eye" makes me shudder - When I changed the suspension arms on my Discovery 4 I paint marked the adjustment bolts and got them back pretty close. Even then it threw a wobbly by illuminating the traction control light, disabling all special programmes, and dropping the suspension to its lowest height. Was an interesting (and bouncy!) drive to the alignment place!
"By eye" makes me shudder - When I changed the suspension arms on my Discovery 4 I paint marked the adjustment bolts and got them back pretty close. Even then it threw a wobbly by illuminating the traction control light, disabling all special programmes, and dropping the suspension to its lowest height. Was an interesting (and bouncy!) drive to the alignment place!
ingenieur said:
Often a good idea in any case depending on the age and mileage.
Anywhere past around 40k or 5 years there's been time / mileage for it to benefit from being checked / reset.
If you don't want to do it you can insist that the garage changing your track rods measures the length of the currently fitted items and sets the new ones to the same.
It won't be as good as having had it checked / adjusted but if you wish to avoid the expense it can be done without.
Anywhere past around 40k or 5 years there's been time / mileage for it to benefit from being checked / reset.
If you don't want to do it you can insist that the garage changing your track rods measures the length of the currently fitted items and sets the new ones to the same.
It won't be as good as having had it checked / adjusted but if you wish to avoid the expense it can be done without.
Good luck with that. Have you even tried to accurately measure the effective length of a track-rod end? And was the alignment correct before?Just man-up and get the alignment done properly and professionally, potentially saving the cost of a pair of tyres.
TwinKam said:
ingenieur said:
Often a good idea in any case depending on the age and mileage.
Anywhere past around 40k or 5 years there's been time / mileage for it to benefit from being checked / reset.
If you don't want to do it you can insist that the garage changing your track rods measures the length of the currently fitted items and sets the new ones to the same.
It won't be as good as having had it checked / adjusted but if you wish to avoid the expense it can be done without.
Anywhere past around 40k or 5 years there's been time / mileage for it to benefit from being checked / reset.
If you don't want to do it you can insist that the garage changing your track rods measures the length of the currently fitted items and sets the new ones to the same.
It won't be as good as having had it checked / adjusted but if you wish to avoid the expense it can be done without.
Good luck with that. Have you even tried to accurately measure the effective length of a track-rod end? And was the alignment correct before?Just man-up and get the alignment done properly and professionally, potentially saving the cost of a pair of tyres.
Lannister902 said:
Hi
I'm getting front track rod ends replaced on my 2 series BMW and been told it'll need a wheel alightment carried out.
Do I need a full 4 wheel alignment? Laser alignment etc...?
I would get a 4 wheel alignment done somewhere that knows how to do it properly. I'm getting front track rod ends replaced on my 2 series BMW and been told it'll need a wheel alightment carried out.
Do I need a full 4 wheel alignment? Laser alignment etc...?
After removing spacers, raising the ride height (on coil-overs) and going back to OE 18" wheels from after-market 19s on my BMW Z4 I had a 4 wheel alignment done by an ex-Sytner Indy who also did circuit racing.
It was totally transformed.
Of course, get it 4 wheel aligned. A proper 4 wheel alignment starts at the rear and requires the rear of the car to be correct before you can correct the front; it's your reference. In fact, that's a good way to see if your alignment person knows what they're doing. They may have the full Hunter kit, but if they start to adjust on the front, it's not a good adjustment.
roscopervis said:
Of course, get it 4 wheel aligned. A proper 4 wheel alignment starts at the rear and requires the rear of the car to be correct before you can correct the front; it's your reference. In fact, that's a good way to see if your alignment person knows what they're doing. They may have the full Hunter kit, but if they start to adjust on the front, it's not a good adjustment.
Like most things it depends on the car. If it’s not adjustable on the rear then they will start on the front.Gassing Station | Suspension, Brakes & Tyres | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff