Advice please - X Type 3.0l AWD rear wheel alignment

[Mon Ami Mate]

The inside rear tyre on my X Type 3.0 sport manual has worn badly on the inside shoulder. I've called around this morning and been told by several places that the alignment can only be done by a Jaguar dealer. Anybody know where I can get this done effectively and cost effectively? (I'm based in Bristol).

[fatboy b]

Given that it's the same setup as the old Mondy estate, I would have thought that Ford could do it. But being as there's so many of them (Mondys) around, a decent tyre fitter could do the job (that's not the usual high-street ones). I was in Silverline in Warwick yesterday, and there was a 3-Series on the ramp having the whole lot aligned.

[Deva Link]

There a centre locator on this site http://www.alignmycar.co.uk/ which shows 3 in Bristol - I guess you could give them a call and choose one based on whether they seem to know what they're taking about.

(ETA - I don't think these places are cheap, though).

Edited by Deva Link on Wednesday 15th April 12:14

[Mon Ami Mate]

Deva Link said:

There a centre locator on this site http://www.alignmycar.co.uk/ which shows 3 in Bristol - I guess you could give them a call and choose one based on whether they seem to know what they're taking about.

(ETA - I don't think these places are cheap, though).

Edited by Deva Link on Wednesday 15th April 12:14

Thank you, that's brilliant.

[Jaguar steve]

AWD X types do have serious tyre wear problems if the suspension geometry is not spot on. I'd get a Jaguar indy to have a check there's nothing actually wrong with the car first and take his advice before you go for alignment - see who he recommends and uses himself too.

It may be the case a geometry problem can be adjusted out to give the correct figures without actually fixing the underlying cause - which is the last thing you need. Alignment is skilled work - one adjustment will influence all the other settings - it's certainly not the job for your local tyre monkeys.

Whatever you spend - once it's right - will transform the car.

[Mon Ami Mate]

Jaguar steve said:

AWD X types do have serious tyre wear problems if the suspension geometry is not spot on. I'd get a Jaguar indy to have a check there's nothing actually wrong with the car first and take his advice before you go for alignment - see who he recommends and uses himself too.

It may be the case a geometry problem can be adjusted out to give the correct figures without actually fixing the underlying cause - which is the last thing you need. Alignment is skilled work - one adjustment will influence all the other settings - it's certainly not the job for your local tyre monkeys.

Whatever you spend - once it's right - will transform the car.

Thanks Steve. I had the car serviced by Swallows in Rooksbridge a few weeks ago and they identified the problem. They advised me to take it to a dealer. I did try NM Jags (who seem to have moved AGAIN) yesterday and they advised me to take it to a dealer too. I've phoned a couple of the places listed on the website given above and, after discussing the issue with them, have decided that the dealer route is probably best, so I'm taking the car down to Hartwell in Brislington this afternoon. It's apparently going to cost £80, which sounds a lot for a four wheel laser alignment but not much to have the problem solved and peace of mind restored. Just hope they don't find anything nasty...

[Deva Link]

Mon Ami Mate said:

It's apparently going to cost £80, which sounds a lot for a four wheel laser alignment but not much to have the problem solved and peace of mind restored. Just hope they don't find anything nasty...

That doesn't sound much at all, to be honest. It's typically £200 to get a Merc done at a dealer and not much less at a specialist alignment centre.

[Jaguar steve]

The days of paying an extra fiver to have the tracking done on your Ford Cortina when you bought new front tyres have long gone so £80 is a fair price - providing they know what they know what they are doing and get it spot on. Correct geometry will transform the car.

[Mon Ami Mate]

Just back, the wheel was miles out of line - 3.8 degrees negative camber. And yes, I can confirm, having enjoyed a scenic route on return, that the handling is transformed!