Monaro VXR wheel alignment - again.

[FizzysCar]

Hi All,

Had my wheel alignment done a few months back as part of other work. It was driving straight, steering wheel centered etc, although had been set to GTO specs it was still handing ok.

Printout from alignment :-



I changed rear left track rod end about a week ago and didn't get things quite right matching the old one - so steering wheel was slightly off to the left, and car tended to drift a bit to the left.

Took it in to a different garage (who appear to be using same system) and explained the rear left will be out due to the work. They ended up adjusting the front too...



This time the didn't put anything down regarding model, and I brought along the older sheet for their reference. It's interesting to see how different the "before" reading today differ in places to the "after" on the previous one...? Confirmed rear left was way out.

Anyhow, set off home - and wheel was now off to the right, and car drifted quite a lot to the left when no hands on the wheel. Centering the wheel it went left a lot.

I took it back, Started saying probably tyres... so I asked if front and rear wheels could be swapped to test. Lo and behold it still did it. Back on the system and was informed it was all fine?

Fair play to the mechanic, he thought about things and decided to adjust manually. So he adjusted the toe in on the front right, let me test it, (wheel was to the right now, and centred wheel had car drifting right). A bit more tweaking and wheel was centred. He then put it back on the system and made sure everything else lined up to suit. Now wheel straight and driving straight, although no idea how near to spec it is since wasn't given a fresh printout.

A couple of things in all this - are monaros just a pain to get wheel alignments right generally? Also seems like readings (supposedly) changed a lot in about 2 months. Have done a lot of suspension work over last few months so possibly everything settling in?

edit : Or could it be simply steering wasn't centered properly during the first try?

Edited by FizzysCar on Saturday 19th October 17:01

[FizzysCar]

Thanks. It's a bit odd that when they double checked it with the alignment gear after swapping the wheels they still said it was ok. Play in the rack maybe?

Guess will see how it goes.

[FizzysCar]

Recently built complete new front struts with pedders uprated topmounts. Fitted the front road response pack a while ago. New pedders front lower arms and rack ends. Poly ab and drop link bushes. Should be pretty solid up front, and did feel more precise.

Using conti sport contact 6's XL

Got the tracking done a few months ago because of all the suspension work - recall them having to do it a second time. In fact thought they hadn't done it in the first place, but maybe they did going by todays efforts at a different garage. Having said that I was supplied with a printout of the 2nd attempt and the "before" values were way out, so appeared that wasn't right before 2nd attempt.

Will have to check it all over again just to make sure something isn't amiss.

Edited by FizzysCar on Thursday 12th December 18:16

[FizzysCar]

Interesting - may pick one up.

Few videos on you tube on how to use it. e.g. https://youtu.be/X0ytDJ0mJoQ

[FizzysCar]

Aitch H said:

There’s camber, castor and toe details in the FAQ’s at the top of the page.

Yup, got those - although it's a little confusing as some comments in threads say that VXR different to CV8 alignment, and even different for '04 VXR. A good baseline though.

I did take a copy with me, as well as the previous readout - but if they can't get it right on the machine it won't really matter what settings I provide.

Didn't monkfish use a Hunter branded system? If needs be I can try tracking down one of those near me somewhere and check whether they have the HSV coupe settings under holden.

What with the brake line replacement issues, the time it took me to get all the bits together for new fronts struts, the rear exhaust hangars on the wortec breaking and now this, ownership is starting to get a little challanging. Probably time to get another runabout and relogate the monaro to a weekend/"fun" car again, or see if somebody fancies a project.

[FizzysCar]

Thanks, I'll save that for reference later. The readings I have for front are in mm, just to be helpful. Not that I'm certain what they are at the moment anyway.

I think my recent issues have been mainly down to poor garages. I've done an oil change today and while in the engine bay spotted that the front left top boot on my magnacor spark lead has been sliced. Inspecting it and it's cut right through. It doesn't look like it's a crack or anything and rest look fine, and thankfully no damage to internals. For now covered it in electrical tape to protect it a bit.

Can only assume it was cut when the previous garage were working on that area for brake line work - but can't say for certain. Still on the hunt for a decent garage it seems.

I haven't got my engine plastic cover on so can't blame that. Wonder if they sell individual leads? Not sure if there's been any miss firing or just general Ls1 idle charactertistics.

Front wheels were moved to back yesterday - and checking them out I don't think they'll last much longer on the back.

Think a runabout is definitely on the cards.

[FizzysCar]

Took lead off for closer inspection - looks ok at first....



Quick pinch



As much as it looks funny having a talking lead cover, not ideal.

Back on the car and this time it's a lot more obvious.



It looks like it had actually torn due to being pushed rather than cut. It was turned a bit to making it not so obvious before. I've turned it upside down for now. Would super glue be an option, or would it be best to get a new lead?

[FizzysCar]

They are magnecor leads - might get it touch with them and see if I can get a replace single cable. When I replaced the original leads with these, a few of them didn't come off intact, so know what the oem ones are like.

[FizzysCar]

Just got in touch with Magnecor and they can do single replacements and asked for pictures. I bought them in Jan 2016 and fitted them not too long after. Believe they have a 10 year warranty, but will see what they say.

Will check out rockauto, a shopping spree probably pending.

[FizzysCar]

vxr2010 said:

The leads tend to just break as i’ve found out twice so far , so with a crack like that it’s looking like a hint to say they need changing , rock auto do an upgraded set of leads for not a lot of £ , when i bought leads from them i bought some heat socks for about 20£ delivered from the usa to protect the leads

There are a few upgraded sets on Rockauto - which ones did you go for? There are some that include socks too. I've still got the remnants of the old leads inc the metal shields. The magnecor set stated not to use them with their leads.

[FizzysCar]

I'm giving up on garages. Had complaints raised against me and mis quoting what I said (or not giving all info), and even saying I've been to a number of garages and found faults etc. Seems can't even put a review up these days.

I've in fact been to a whole TWO garages during the last year. One for major work which my post has been removed for, and this wheel alignment visit which was resolved with the mechanic going above and beyond to sort.

There's also my local MOT garage I've had no issues with at all.

Anyhow, it's not worth battling it out over the internet. By the time I find a decent garage we'll all be in electric cars anyway and just messing with batteries and motors.

[FizzysCar]

Just to finish off the lead issue. I actually spoke to the director of Magnacor, very helpfull guy. Did say that the newer sets have different angled boots now so couldn't buy a single replacement lead to match.

However, an option was to send my lead to them for checking and a new cap would be fitted. Cost £1 for the new cap plus postage (there and back). Quick turnaround and back on the car and running fine.

Can't fault the service from Magnacor.