Alignment/Geometry set-up

[irodger]

Hi peeps,

Can anyone recommend a decent place to get the suspension geometry sorted out in or around the Glasgow/Lanarkshire area? After hitting some hefty potholes recently my car seems to be pulling to the left to such an extent that the steering wheel needs to have a touch of RH lock just to stay on the straight ahead.

I've heard Kenny Brown in Hillington being mentioned previously, anyone had experiences with this chap?

Car is '01 MR2 Roadster, on standard suspension, if that helps. No need for any corner weighting or ride height adjustment!

[6C4GTS]

Good recommedations in this thread:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...


Olie used CLCM for his Merde Deux

[Proxy]

I use A.G. Motorsport over in Kilmarnock.
Definite recommendation for them!

http://www.andrewgallacher.com/

[matthewg]

Proxy said:

I use A.G. Motorsport over in Kilmarnock.
Definite recommendation for them!

http://www.andrewgallacher.com/

Andrews garage is now called moorfield.

Another recommendation from here:

http://www.moorfieldmotorservices.co.uk/

[Proxy]

matthewg said:

Andrews garage is now called moorfield.

Another recommendation from here:

http://www.moorfieldmotorservices.co.uk/

Didn't know he'd renamed!
Cheers for the heads up fella

[SB10]

I've used Pro Grip in Bonnybridge a number of times. The work they do is always spot on.

Pro Grip
Central Park
Larbert, Stirlingshire FK5 4RX
01324 557 071

[iand17]

Last week, geometry of my Elise was done at CLCM as mentioned above which is this side of Edinburgh (Sighthill).
Comes highly recommended from loads on Scottish Elises and can set up to suit car use etc

[Proxy]

doogz said:

The Garage in Motherwell.

I don't use anywhere else to look after all our cars anymore, the guys are great, and they have some very nice wheel alignment kit.

http://www.the-garage.co.uk/index.php

One of the boys in my work uses them, so I guess he'd recommend them too

[Olber9642J]

Indeed Rog, as Baz says Wullie at CLCM is your man. The '2 feels brilliant now.

Let us know what the outcome is, if you're in need of a low mileage N/S wishbone, i have just the boy for you, el cheapo. Bought a pair and only needed one.

[archangeldk]

i would second pro grip. really know what they are on about and not too pricey.

[irodger]

Thanks for the replies guys, much appreciated

While CLCM sound like they're ideal, The Garage is about 2 minutes walk from my flat, so I can drop the car off and wander back to pick it up once finished. Saves me making the trip through for a full morning or afternoon to Edinburger.

I've known Mark @ the Garage since he started Aardvark Autotune years ago, I just didn't realise he had the kit for this sort of thing! I thought they were more of an engine specialist. I've had the '2 serviced there before and was impressed with their work and attitude etc so think I'll give them a go and see how it goes. The location is ideal for me TBH.

Hoping nothings broken Ollie, but if there is I'll give you a shout

Cheers peeps, I'll report back on how it goes.

[Olber9642J]

Let us know what is out on it when u get the printout, there's only certain things can be adjusted, other bits need replaced.

Best of luck!

[kmm]

SB10 said:

I've used Pro Grip in Bonnybridge a number of times. The work they do is always spot on.

Pro Grip
Central Park
Larbert, Stirlingshire FK5 4RX
01324 557 071

John moved to a lovely new unit in Larbert just behind Mathesons.
2nd for Progrip.

[Goa'uld]

kmm said:

SB10 said:

I've used Pro Grip in Bonnybridge a number of times. The work they do is always spot on.

Pro Grip
Central Park
Larbert, Stirlingshire FK5 4RX
01324 557 071

John moved to a lovely new unit in Larbert just behind Mathesons.
2nd for Progrip.

3rd for Progrip. Absolute professional, you can use a 5% voucher from http://alignmycar.co.uk/ but instead last time I scrapped it and tipped him since he waited back for me (roadwork traffic) and did a fantastic job – even taking time to plug in a diagnosis tool (not sure if it was VAGCOM) and showing me any errors that were coming up (I had a sticking rad fan which is sorted now). When you go to places like that you realise what crap service and work you put up with as being normal nowadays from the main dealers.

[irodger]

Ola peeps,

Put the car in to The Garage in Motherwell today for a fluids service, check over and alignment set up. 2hrs later had a phone call to say the car was ready!

Carried out the service etc as normal, said the car was 99% spot on Only issue is a tiny oil leak from the timing chain tensioner which they told me just to keep an eye on, shouldn't cause any problems. Happy with that!

As for the alignment.... The reason I asked them to check it/set up etc was the steering wheel is ever so slightly off centre i.e. it sits with the top-centre of the wheel pointing slightly towards the 11 o'clock instead of 12 o'clock on the dead ahead. I also had a niggling feeling it was a bit under-steery, but the roads been greasy of late and there aren't any vibrations or wobbles or anything.

So the guy's at The Garage report is.... everything is spot on. Exactly as Mr Toy says it should be. Tyre wear is perfectly even, nothing is out of spec, bushes are fine etc. They just said the steering wheel is sitting slightly off centre and its nothing to worry about. Said they'd remove the steering wheel and rotate it on the column splines if I really wanted, but said its not worth the money on labour.

They didn't charge me for the alignmnet check at all, even though they set it all up and actually checked it. Told me as they didn't adjust anything they felt it wasn't fair to charge me!

I'm happy with the service, happy with the explanation of the geo etc, price of the service. Happy with everything! Well, almost.... I can't help but think that the steering wheel would just be off-centre for no reason! There's no sign of any damage to the car, no reason for the wheel to have ever been off, nothing to explain it.

Am I just being paranoid and should I just forget about it and ignore it, or get it moved round a few degrees and hope it's not masking something more serious underneath?

[Angelus]

Did you get a printout of your settings to check if it is right? If not and you still think you have an issue, I'd spend £50 @ CLCM. I was there this week and it is the best £50 I've spent this year. This way you get a printout to check and record of all your settings. You can then also check the readings against the workshop manual and see if they are right. My steering wheel was like yours, now it is straight.

[OlberFKWJ]

Yep, if u got the setup for nowt, chuck £50 at Wullie and get the printout etc, got to be worth it.

[AliV6]

Falkland are ok, i used them with the V6. Decent job!

Also IF Motorsport at Knockhill have done our race cars for years. Difficult to get time with them tho!

[irodger]

Aloha,

Well the car went through it's MOT today with nothing needing attention (not a single advisory ), so it's booked into CLCM for next Friday to get the geo looked at again. As people have said, for £50 I'd be daft not to, especially as I wasn't charged previously. If CLCM don't find anything wrong or out of tolerance then it's peace of mind for a small outlay. It's strange that they get away with only opening Monday-Friday in this day and age though!

I'll post an update after it's been in.

Cheers for the info so far guys

[Tunku]

irodger said:

Aloha,

Well the car went through it's MOT today with nothing needing attention (not a single advisory ), so it's booked into CLCM for next Friday to get the geo looked at again. As people have said, for £50 I'd be daft not to, especially as I wasn't charged previously. If CLCM don't find anything wrong or out of tolerance then it's peace of mind for a small outlay. It's strange that they get away with only opening Monday-Friday in this day and age though!

I'll post an update after it's been in.

Cheers for the info so far guys

Have you tried swapping the front wheels over? This can sometimes cure it.