Tony

Try some searches on line with BC and mytyre and display what you find..... after that allow interests to compete here.......... Thanks Tony. Had a look at both, mytyre's best, unless you know any better Toyo Proxe's t1-r 87y rim/pro = £107.40 incl vat + post Goodyear Eagle F1 G3-D3 £117.60 Bridgestone Potenza S-03 pole position rf doudle marking 87zr £137.50 All 225/35/18 looking for 4 will want fitting and car setting up with new wheels and everything else please Thanks Gordon Anyone better the prices, or know somewhere ? Not me..... my best price is £117.60 for the F1 fully fitted......... and that's undercutting BC.

How have things gone i am very interested to know how much 'warp speed' TDI have infused into the car....

Interesting..... i never thought the Geo could violate the law until a post here earlier. I wonder if anyone has ever been booked for the offence, even more interesting is the Geo is not part of the MOT even if the angles do look extreme.... whereas in Germany front wheel alignment is part of the test.

Does anyone know if modifying the Geometry to the extreme is against the law? Typical visual angle would be Camber.... if plod saw this could he do you for it? If yes then what would the offence be.....

"ever seen an old mini 'crabbing'?"... that is so funny when I get behind one doing that Indeed i wonder if extreme Geometry positions are illegal? Like crabbing or very low camber? i think i will ask........

Should be ....... wheel off, caliper off, carrier off, disc off, then the drive flange with studs should be visible. Look to see if the studs will pass the hub? if they do then hammer them out, if not then the 'flange' will need to be removed, but this will split the bearing so this will also need to be replaced. Assuming the studs will pass the hub then the re-build is easy.... all studs have a spline fitment, so the new studs only need to be 'pulled' back into the flange, best method is to offer the stud 'loose' from behind, place a spacer over the exposed thread and use the wheel nut on the stud to pull it through, the spacer is a must! since the thread does not cover the whole length of the stud.

As odd as it seems the manufacturing industry does not have a commercial reference table for the vehicles ride height, the information is vital for the pre-inspection before any Alignment or Geometry is performed. I challenged the industry for the data, the best they could offer was some A4 typed pages relating to about 40% of cars, this i can make available by request. Suspension travel (Curve) is vital in all areas relating to Handling/ Geometry/ Breaking and general performance, unmodified car owners should be aware that a difference of 10mm in height over the axle measured from mid-arch to mid-wheel may suggest a sagging or broken coil spring. This is an example picture of the damage by excessive suspension travel. Obvious tears in the bushing is visible, this is totally due to the ( Curve ) exported to the wishbone by the suspension travel, an accident waiting to happen!

People power is something i enjoy........ to often decent requests become unanswered via denial or ignorance. Today's example belayed my normal opinion and showed real customer care, i solute the Dealer in question.

I had a call today to book an IS200 for a Geometry....... in conversation the Lady explained the Dealer had set the Geometry eight months ago but once again the front tyres are wearing on the inside.... The Dealer was aware that the positions were wrong by 'Manufacturer' and directed the owner to wim because i can deviate from these positions. First i feel really sad that the Dealers know there is a problem but cannot react to it... secondly i feel proud they direct the customer to me.... Well that's great but what about all the others that sufferer the same problem without direction? ......... We will get there eventually.

Which car are these for?

Almost:- Castor will be worked through the ( Camber and toe ) Everything else is as you state..... let us know how things go!

Excluding actual DB measurements, the exhaust should sound 'similar' to the original factory fitment. Other than that a loud exhaust could just make you a target for the law.... to be fair some owners do abuse the noise to the max. "the exhaust should sound 'similar' to the original factory fitment..." Mmmmm, that would be 0DB then My intention was never to abuse the law, just wanted to be different... approaching my 40's ( ), i'm not your typical "boy-racer" any more - hence I drive a Lexus I understand mate Recently we had a Vectra in for MOT that had a big bore exhaust..... our old boy tester 'revved' this car time and time again in an attempt to (personally) decide if the sound was outside of the (similar) guidelines... in the end he decided it was and failed the car.

I spoke to Paul, the 14' diameter is 'default' if the car is measured as 'missing data'. He assures me the cameras 'scale' the wheels diameter automatically in this mode or it can be set manually. Nevertheless when you go back for the tyres the car will be re-measured to give you peace of mind. Typical friendly conversation with Paul and he understood why you felt unhappy with printout. Let us know how things go Thanks Tony, Its much appreciated that you spoke to Paul, I am sure everything will be fine. The service at Dury lane was excellent and I would be happy to recommend them, my last alignment done at the local tyre fitters was a mess so I am sure you appreciate my concerns Thanks on some excellent advice and congratulations on an excellent website that has given me a good insight into the black art of car alignment! Will let you know how it goes You are welcome....... team work and technical support is all it takes.

Excluding actual DB measurements, the exhaust should sound 'similar' to the original factory fitment. Other than that a loud exhaust could just make you a target for the law.... to be fair some owners do abuse the noise to the max.

I spoke to Paul, the 14' diameter is 'default' if the car is measured as 'missing data'. He assures me the cameras 'scale' the wheels diameter automatically in this mode or it can be set manually. Nevertheless when you go back for the tyres the car will be re-measured to give you peace of mind. Typical friendly conversation with Paul and he understood why you felt unhappy with printout. Let us know how things go

For the others... my car is a 99 Lexus IS200 droped abour 50mm by Eibach ProKit and Koni yellow sport shocks. What I do understand: Rear: Camber 1*20' +/- 10' (means positiv between 1deg 10min TO 1deg 30min) Toe: 10' per side +/- 2' (means positive between 8min and 12min) Front Toe: Between 6' to 10' per side What I don't understand: Front: Camber: 25'- +0-10' or even over axle to 10' (means between 25'min to 35'? What does even over the axle mean? I should go for 35'?) For the castor: I will let them adjust it but have to talk back to you later with the Camber settings they have done BTW: Fitted summerwheels last Friday. 18x8OS38 with 225/40R18 (used from last summer). Now it comes clear: The steering wheel is offcenter to the left and the car drifts slightly to the right! The front left tire is worn on the inside. Your initial request was the Euro LOC members wanted an idea for safe positions on the IS200, to preserve tyre wear, these positions do deliver that. In explanation the front camber positions (ideal) should be 25' neg... the + means no more... the - means the position could be 15' neg but no less. Over the axle @ 10' is the nsf/osf disparity, the means that whatever figure is achieved i don't want more than 10' difference between the front wheels. The Castor position is born indirectly from adjusting the camber and toe, so the end figure is dependent on the amount of adjustment required, i don't want more than 20' disparity between the nsf/osf. As you can see the geometry will need to be worked for, blind turning of adjusters is not good enough for the IS.

That image is why wim exists, this example was not due to neglect just miss-understanding, the Dealer failed to recognize the problem... and the Police would commit to their duty regardless of how it evolved, the wim area is to make this sort of thing 'public' and act as a warning.

Feel free to mention wim and our conversation, Paul ownes the centre if possible talk to him. This is a simple operator error but damaging if not addressed. Paul has my number but if you have any immediate needs contact me at work 01923 234666 and i will assist! Hi Tony, I spoke to paul this morning, who said that although the printout said 14" the machine will have been set to 18". Is this possible? thanks Chris Unlikely.... since the machine did not hold the data for your car on disc, then the data would have been input as 'missing'.... the machine then will set to default and require the cars dimensions as mentioned before.... 14" is the default......... if the printout displays 'before and after' measurements then i feel this is based on the visible wheel diameter... Tony Thanks for the reply, The printout displays Diagnosis and Adjustment (before and after) but no nominal values (because the settings were not on file I presume) The mesurements were not way out +2.9 on LF +0.3 on RF adjusted to +70 on each (at my request) rears were -2.5 RR and -0.30 LR adjusted to +1 on each Paul did say that the machine automatically will detect the wheel size, and adjust accordingly, I have two new front tires that he is going to fit for me on Wednesday. Should I demand a re-alignment? I dont want to cause a fuss, as he has been helpful. And i need a reliable alignment guy! Would it be possible for you to give him a bell tomorrow, and let me know what he said? Many thanks Chris I will contact Paul and conclude this.... the machine in question i have never used so the 'matter of fact' it's wrong or it's ok i cannot in truth comment on, and this makes me nervous, for the customers sake i have to argue it's wrong no matter who set it! Don't worry it will be sorted!

Each week i will display an image to remind members why we are here and what we are trying to avoid. Car :- Lexus IS200 Position:- NSF Size:- 215-45/17 Tyres mileage:- 1500 Reason:- Toe at 30mm Negative Explanation The car was second hand bought from a main Dealer.... the model was new to the owner but he felt something was wrong with the handling, several times the car was returned to the Dealer for inspection each time the report said there is nothing wrong with the car, the owner insisted for a independent inspection which was granted, the findings all born from a test drive suggested the cars Geometry was tested due to the cars 'loose' feeling and over-steer.... unfortunately the Dealer ignored these suggestions. Soon after on the 'Motorway' a distressing noise forced the owner to the hard shoulder, with the front wheels on a lock he saw this.... In actual fact both front tyres were in this condition! The distressed owner pursued legal compensation based on the Dealers ignorance for placing him in a life threatening position, he was advised 'NOT' to pursue the claim because the tyres did not 'blow out' so the claim would be based on 'hear say' in addition the Dealer offered to refund all expenses. In view of these extreme circumstance's i asked the Police how they would deal with this person if stopped on the road with the tyres in the condition displayed. Despite the circumstance's evolving the owners position the Police said they would deal with the matter in the same fashion as any other tyre related offence, ultimately it's the drivers responsibility to ensure the tyres are legal........ not the Dealers! Any comments or your own images are welcomed.

Feel free to mention wim and our conversation, Paul ownes the centre if possible talk to him. This is a simple operator error but damaging if not addressed. Paul has my number but if you have any immediate needs contact me at work 01923 234666 and i will assist! Hi Tony, I spoke to paul this morning, who said that although the printout said 14" the machine will have been set to 18". Is this possible? thanks Chris Unlikely.... since the machine did not hold the data for your car on disc, then the data would have been input as 'missing'.... the machine then will set to default and require the cars dimensions as mentioned before.... 14" is the default......... if the printout displays 'before and after' measurements then i feel this is based on the visible wheel diameter...

Wise words indeed!............ the youth of today i feel cannot communicate unless it's sprayed on a wall... cannot enjoy themselves unless dribbling Fosters Larger followed by a pizza base on the pavement, and cannot drive unless 'uninsured' .......... were did it go wrong?

ive had cops in front of me, behind me and allll around me, and none have said a dickie, even when tugging me for spirited driving... You have to admit this must be luck! any copper would make a charge if they noticed the 'sticky' yeh sure there must be some luck in it, but also i think its the way you act before and after the tug,, if your being a muppet then yeh the plod could well get the ar se with you.. I would seem that most illegal modifications are ignored by the law unless prompted.....personally i feel this 'give and take' subliminal culture is healthy... the Police are aware of the illegal modifications as is the driver... this exposure without trial communicates Police/Owner cohabitation... until the 'boy racer' opens his mouth then it's 'points time'............ rightly so!

no problem........ stay wise though, in the wet even new shoes will slip, re-define your expectations!

The 'RFT' concept does have a point regarding safety and hazard, but the evolution belays a few convenient areas not on public display.........so in true wim fashion........ Principle The RFT can resist and react to most forms of deflation, sudden or progressive and permit the driver to continue with the journey regardless of the deflation, valuable for safety and it assures the owner that nothing would deny the destination other than fuel or the M25. Evolution The concept has been realised over many years, Dunlop suggested the 'Denovo' which was a tyre locked between a split rim, this wheel had no internal recess that allowed the tyre to 'off-set' and detach from the rim, this also involved internal canisters that would be crushed and released a gel to keep the tyre cool... at the time the concept was very expensive and ultimately failed, apart from cost the fundamental flaw was if the tyre deflates then it was 'scrap' Following this commercial failure Dunlop abandoned the concept of the 'split rim' and introduced the 'Demlock' tyre, this carried the same concept and placed the gel in the tyre without the canisters..... a new evolution of wheel was designed to support this but very costly... in fact Jaguar was the main recipient and offered this safety factor deep within the sales campaign... again this failed.. fundamentally for the same reason if the tyre deflates it is 'scrap'. Then things went quiet.......... Very quiet! With the birth of the new Mini One/Cooper in 01 Pirelli answered the run flat question again with the 'PAX' design of tyre and rim, basically the rim has internal shoes that supports the tyre and simply replaces the air after deflation... but a new problem was born?.... not only was the tyre scrap after deflation but now only the main dealer had sufficient machinery to remove/ replace the tyre, in time ultimately i feel this will also fail. Today's evolutions expand on past examples, now the RFT will fit any rim and most shops should be able to fit/ remove the tyre.... but something is missing?..... where is the gel.... where are the internal shoes.... what keeps the tyre cool once deflated? Construction The evolution is evident, make the tyre wall armoured and it will suspend the car..... So they did...... the new Goodyear and Bridgestone are now OE within BMW and associated marques, Pirelli have taken a back seat for now..... but there is still a problem? The tyres needs to communicate with the car directly via internal censors or externally via the ABS, visible activation on the dash will need to be re-set/ turned off by the dealer, this i feel angry about! (another topic maybe) A warning If you have RFT then it's a done deal... due to the armoured construction of the tyre the suspension has been 'down graded' to accomendate the tyre, you cannot deviate from the set-up unless the suspension is also modified, so in essence the tyre/ suspension is a package and must be considered as final. Oh and to add insult even the new variations of 'run flat tyre' once deflated is 'SCRAP'

Good..... hence the Lexus CZ compound....but.still take a little time to bed them in! I have a 300 mile drive tomorrow, will that be enough ? Indeed it will