alexanderfoti

Thank you. Absoultely, I agree with you regarding the steering wheel center point. We are an MB indy workshop, so most of our geo adjustments are as a result of replacing a mechanical component (the car in this post was a R129 SL500, it had 2 tie rod ends due to corrosion on the MOT), so often a before/after with the customer isnt possible. After your comment regarding the spreader bar, I realised, the cars we have issues with are older ones with steering boxes, and the issue clearly is that we are not using the spreader bar. We have done loads of steering box cars, but 90% are after replacing most of the front end suspension components, including all the linkages etc, and these havent had any issues. Its an old ATS wheel alignment machine (Wheel alignment UK) The airmatic cars, ABC cars and standard cars with steering racks we dont have problems with. If you know of a good supplier for the spreader bar, a pointer would much appreciated.

Hi all Having had my alignment kit now calibrated, we have been doing lots and lots of geo and alignments and have come across one major issue. Repeatability, especially with toe measurement We will carry out a run out compensation, lower the car onto the adjustment stands (all 4 wheels have slip plates). We then carry out toe out on turns and SAI/Caster check. We then have the before measurements of camber/caster/sai and others showing. We then swap to the live adjustment screen for the rear, make the changes necessary. Do the same for the fronts, make the necessary adjustments. The next stage is to carry out another test of Toe out on turns, and SAI/caster check which involves turning the steering through 20degrees and 10 degrees respectively. Once done, the machine does another measurement of the geo before printing the "after" measurement screen. 50% of the time, this screen shows different values for front Toe than the live adjustment screen before it, quite often with an offset of error introduced. (eg if the front toe was 0.15" on the front left and 0.02" on the front right, then may then be 0.35" and -0.02"......... Initially, I thought this was an issue with the our returning the wheel to the centre, so started using a spirit level for the steering wheel, this hasn't made any difference. We are making the adjustments and measurements with the brake pedal depressor installed, and also carrying out steering movements with the engine running (on cars with a steering box). Quote often the cars will then drive without the wheel straight, and will require repeated adjustments until the after screen shows in spec, often repeating everything 3-4 times! If I am doing something wrong, I would love to hear it! All help is very much appreciated.

It does indeed yes. I have the shims but the floor is pretty level, so the little adjustment feet should allow me to get it pretty close

Absolutely. I indend to have slip plates on all 4 corners, 2 front ones will rotate as well. I am very used to the foibles of MB air suspension or ABC, ill keep it in mind. I will have to have the car settle on the stands properly, as the floor wont be level, so ill need to get it on the levelled stands and then get the car to level manually via STAR etc. as I indend to lift car > put on stands > attachd alignment heads and go from there, or is that no good?

The only issue with hunters, is that they need a permanent bay and a 4 poster I believe? We only have 2 ramps and cannot dedicate one just for geo at the moment.

Absolutely, even customers with £500 merc wheels wont have a chipped wheel, I dont blame them. Horrible design.

I agree, its a pain. I am going to replicate the posts in plastic or nylon, metal on metal is horrible.

Thank you very much indeed. I did think on all 4 points that they will have to be level. I have an eye on a set of turn plates that can be unlocked and move in all 4 directions, I assume these will be ok for rear and front if I buy 4? I will invest in a set of stands, as I doubt your 4 poster will end up being level for all the different vehicles wheelbases! LWB S classes hang off the end for example, so I think using our 2 poster would be better. Much appreciated.

Hi all We are a small garage that have a CCD based alignment machine, like this: We intend to use the machine on a drive on ramp, which has extensions that are mounted to the floor. These will be levelled in all directions. The ramp section only covers the chassis of the car and leaves the wheels hanging when lifted, like so: Our system allows you to mount up, then tell it you are lifting the vehicle and it adds the offset, allowing you to adjust the vehicle in the air. Is this accurate or a load of rubbish? I plan to use dished turn plates under the front wheels for that setup, but would have though they would add errors in camber measurements? I assume the rears would need it as well, but would have though these need to be flat. Failing that, I plan to use the alignment stands on our 2 poster, which will allow for measurements to be made with the cars weight on the suspension. Will we have the same issues with the dished turnplates on that? I assume so? Thanks in advance, it would be good to find an independent training or supplier that is willing to sell support or give advice. All the ones we found just want to sell us 10k+ worth of new alignment tech.