[Jeff123]

Hi

Laser alignment need not cost a fortune. I had mine done by a local specialist using a "Hunter" machine for c£45 a few months ago. The BMW version of this (KDS) is said to be c£250.

My tyres were completely knackered due to inner edge wear. So far I have done 4000 miles on non-RFT and the tyres still look brand new. It's early days but hopefully I have solved the problem.

When mine were done, there were many adjustments to be made - and this was a 2 year old BMW AUC.

I followed www.alignmycar.co.uk and found several garages within a 5-10 mile radius that used Hunter equipment.

If nothing else, maybe try telephoning one of these places and just speak to the guy in charge. The place that did mine is working more or less constantly on one hour slots, so they should know what they are talking about.

Jeff

[Em135eye]

Jeff - that's really handy! Just called the local garage that does it and I think I'll take it in - they recommend getting it done with new tyres so might just wait until they need replacing then get them done - £50 basic cost then extra if anything needs sorting.

[Jeff123]

Originally Posted by 335diesel

Jeff - that's really handy! Just called the local garage that does it and I think I'll take it in - they recommend getting it done with new tyres so might just wait until they need replacing then get them done - £50 basic cost then extra if anything needs sorting.

If you get the opportunity, stay and watch them do it. They let me stand in the workshop and the technician talked me through the process. It's quite interesting. BTW, mine was an all-inclusive price. The time-consuming part is setting the car up for the test - weights in footwells/boot/seats etc.

Jeff

[Em135eye]

I plan to have a look - there is an inner geek that always needs satisfying!

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by Jeff123

BTW, mine was an all-inclusive price. The time-consuming part is setting the car up for the test - weights in footwells/boot/seats etc.

Jeff

I've had a KDS and two Hunter alignments and at no time was any weight put in the car.

The alignment charts are for the vehicle at its kerb weight, i.e. with fluids but no loading or passengers.

What device did they use to set this weighting up? Did they have wheel scales or were they just try to get the rideheight exact to spec?

[ElegantSpoon]

I had mine checked yesterday and they said it was spot on so I think its down to the BMW setup. My Audi TT was the same.

[Em135eye]

Completely different cars but with 22k miles on it, the Jimny doesn't seem to have heard the word "tyre wear" - I guess the two balance out?!

[- Paul -]

Hunter machines don't work on cars with active steering btw.

[Jeff123]

Originally Posted by doughboy

I've had a KDS and two Hunter alignments and at no time was any weight put in the car.

The alignment charts are for the vehicle at its kerb weight, i.e. with fluids but no loading or passengers.

What device did they use to set this weighting up? Did they have wheel scales or were they just try to get the rideheight exact to spec?

They put weights in the boot and footwell(s). I think that the guy said that they had to simulate the driving weights and account for the diesel etc. I can't remember exactly where they were. If you think of it, the car should be set up for a driver and an average of half(ish) a tank of diesel - calculate how much that weighs! I don't know how much diesel was in my car at the time. Maybe even an allowance for passengers.

This was a "Hunter" alignment, maybe the BMW KDS is different.

I have mentioned on other posts that the garage claimed to have a contract with the local Mercerdes garage and aligned many cars that only had c1000 miles on the clock - obviously wrongly set at the factory stage.

Jeff

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by Jeff123

They put weights in the boot and footwell(s). I think that the guy said that they had to simulate the driving weights and account for the diesel etc. I can't remember exactly where they were. If you think of it, the car should be set up for a driver and an average of half(ish) a tank of diesel - calculate how much that weighs! I don't know how much diesel was in my car at the time. Maybe even an allowance for passengers.

This was a "Hunter" alignment, maybe the BMW KDS is different.

I have mentioned on other posts that the garage claimed to have a contract with the local Mercerdes garage and aligned many cars that only had c1000 miles on the clock - obviously wrongly set at the factory stage.

Jeff

They must be trying to get to the factory spec ride height which is quoted on the alignment data sheets.

Cambers become more agressive as the suspension compresses and toe will change too, so they should be set at a specific ride height, give or take a few mm.

Maybe you had a empty tank? I always filled mine en route to the centre.

60 litres is 60kilos more or less.

Me? I'm about 75 give or take a few pasties.

[Em135eye]

Pasties - hmmmm...

I also weigh 75 kilos. Are you scared that we have something in common Doughboy? ;-)