MX5Russ Posted March 9, 2014 Report Share Posted March 9, 2014 Hi folks, Does anybody know about the Hunter machines with the circular wheel hugger things that sit on the wheel and clamp to the tyre edge? Only, I had an alignment done yesterday and the place I went to had a Hunter machine with these. However, they didn't place them dead centre on the wheels, and the rear near side one especially wasn't anywhere near the middle. I mentioned it to the guy doing the alignment but he seemed to think they didn't need to be central, as long as they were on the wheel. Is that right? My wheels aren't even flat (concave slightly), so I don't see how it would get the data correctly? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted March 10, 2014 Report Share Posted March 10, 2014 That's a good question actually and one I've never thought about before. Tony? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted March 10, 2014 Report Share Posted March 10, 2014 The huger type of clamp should also have the plastic pins that have to sit against the wheel lip. That should more of less centre the reflector. Once on the operator needs the do a ROC ( Run Out Compensation ) This is done by rolling the car back/ forth so the machine can calculate and compensate for any clamping errors or damaged wheels. If the error is to great the machine should flag a warning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted March 10, 2014 Report Share Posted March 10, 2014 So if they're not mounted on the wheel correctly it won't let you continue? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted March 10, 2014 Report Share Posted March 10, 2014 No.... It will detect to much run-out and stop any live measurements..... To my knowledge on the Hunter machine range you cannot skip the ROC, on other machines you can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MX5Russ Posted March 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2014 Ah, well they rolled the car forwards slightly after putting the huggers on. Only issue is that the steering is slightly off centre now. Grr. Also, the wheel huggers left light scratches on all my wheels, which seems a bit crap. Will take photos of them when I go back. Not sure that they had pins at the edge of the wheel, just a circular piece in the middle. There were only two arms that stuck out to grab the tyres. I might ask to put the huggers on myself next time and try to get them as central as possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MX5Russ Posted March 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2014 The place that I had it done actually have a photo of the tyre hugger on the website: www.milestyres.com/tyres.php Scroll down to where it says "Alignment" and there's a decent sized pic of the reflector. Shows it sat in the centre of the wheel, but all mine were slightly higher up the wheel, and one was up and more forwards on the wheel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted March 10, 2014 Report Share Posted March 10, 2014 That's a different one to what WIM uses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted March 10, 2014 Report Share Posted March 10, 2014 They are Hunters latest reflectors..... The new program still insists on ROC but now it's only in one direction.... so in truth they don't need to be in the exact centre. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MX5Russ Posted March 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2014 Thanks Tony, makes me a feel a bit better that they weren't doing it totally wrong - now I just need the wheel straight! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted March 10, 2014 Report Share Posted March 10, 2014 Did they brace the steering wheel after centring it and did they get you to check it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MX5Russ Posted March 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2014 They braced it, but didn't get me to check it. I had a peek, but think the guy moved it after. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MX5Russ Posted March 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2014 They braced it, but didn't get me to check it. I had a peek, but think the guy moved it after. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted March 10, 2014 Report Share Posted March 10, 2014 A very common error. I position is cosmetic but they need to correct it and you validate the position before any adjustments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MX5Russ Posted March 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2014 Annoying really, because my wheel was straight before it went in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted March 10, 2014 Report Share Posted March 10, 2014 It's due to the front or rear toe adjustment being made with the steering level incorrect.... .The toe positions are fine but the steering "ahead" position is wrong. Can you display the end printout so we can validate the numbers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MX5Russ Posted March 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2014 Yeah, will have to scan it in when I get home. They loaded in the standard BMW 1 series settings (don't have the MX-5 anymore), but the car is modified, so the front camber is showing as out of tolerance on the front (too much negative). Only just though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted March 10, 2014 Report Share Posted March 10, 2014 Did they pre-load the suspension by adding ballast? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MX5Russ Posted March 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2014 Nah. I suggested sitting in the car, but he pointed out that they had to put the things in the cockpit to hold the brake pedal and steering wheel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted March 11, 2014 Report Share Posted March 11, 2014 Well it wouldn't have needed much ballast since it's been lowered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MX5Russ Posted March 11, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 11, 2014 Well I brimmed the tank on the way (which I never do normally) so hopefully that'll have been enough. Maybe I'll request to sit in the car when I get them to sort the steering wheel this weekend - I guess that'd give the most accurate adjustment? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted March 11, 2014 Report Share Posted March 11, 2014 Why cant they just put ballast in the car, that way you won't get in the way of the rigging?...... Also be sure you get to validate the final steering position and "AND" get another printout Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MX5Russ Posted March 11, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 11, 2014 I don't think they have any ballast. I didn't see anything, other than dirty old tyres that could go in the car. Surely I could just hold the wheel central and keep my foot on the brake pedal? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MX5Russ Posted March 11, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 11, 2014 Oh, and this is why you need to open a place in Bristol! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted March 11, 2014 Report Share Posted March 11, 2014 Oh, and this is why you need to open a place in Bristol! WIM has a trusted centre in Bristol. FCM Wheel Alignment Unit 1, Netham View Industrial Park Netham Road, St George Bristol Gloucestershire BS5 9PQ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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