Tracking/allignment

[phil750]

Hi All,

Just had my first tyre change, just gone for the front 2 as the back have over 5mm left (will probably do those in 6-12 months) Done 16000 miles on conti sports so fairly happy with them.
Went with new mitchilin sports ps3's as they had 25% off them at garage.

My question is, taking off the wheels noticed quite a bit of wear on the outside rim. So thought hmm tracking, they wanted £45 to do the tracking at the garage so left it (swear it used to be about £20 a few years ago)

I doubt my car has ever been checked for tracking, but being only 2 years old. Its also in for a service next week so thought i can leaving tracking til then/find a cheaper price elsewhere.

Anyone else had problems with tracking/alignment on their leons? And will seat check it as part of a service?

I assume it doesn't come under any warranty and seat will charge a bomb to do it!

 

[G.P]

Anyone else had problems with tracking/alignment on their leons? And will seat check it as part of a service?

I assume it doesn't come under any warranty and seat will charge a bomb to do it!

Mines (MK.2) on 50k and still running straight. Seat won't check the tracking as part of a service.

It's not covered by warranty and my local Seat dealer charge £120 for a full 4 wheel alignment, but I'd put money on them not been able to improve it much to be able to better your 16k..

 

[concerned cat]

Hi All,

Just had my first tyre change, just gone for the front 2 as the back have over 5mm left (will probably do those in 6-12 months) Done 16000 miles on conti sports so fairly happy with them.
Went with new mitchilin sports ps3's as they had 25% off them at garage.

My question is, taking off the wheels noticed quite a bit of wear on the outside rim. So thought hmm tracking, they wanted £45 to do the tracking at the garage so left it (swear it used to be about £20 a few years ago)

I doubt my car has ever been checked for tracking, but being only 2 years old. Its also in for a service next week so thought i can leaving tracking til then/find a cheaper price elsewhere.

Anyone else had problems with tracking/alignment on their leons? And will seat check it as part of a service?

I assume it doesn't come under any warranty and seat will charge a bomb to do it!

Although you don't say which model you've got, 16k is good regardless of your engine size. My 150FR may get another 1500miles which will be 13.5k which by my standards is rather good.

 

[Curtly]

Although you don't say which model you've got, 16k is good regardless of your engine size. My 150FR may get another 1500miles which will be 13.5k which by my standards is rather good.

I know what you're saying but I think front tyre wear is more down to driving style (it's not difficult to make a 1.2 wheelspin). I often get 25k out of my tyres but that's with taking 1st gear easy and rotating them every 8k ish.

 

[Matt280]

A decent 4 wheel alignment check at an independent with the correct kit (hunter etc) rather than just front wheel tracking shouldn't cost most than £50-60 and they will give you the full picture of results including camber, castor etc.

Many cars will wear the outer edges even within the manufacturer settings. A decent alignment place can dial in settings to avoid this ahppening.

Where are you based? There is a great place i go to in Bedford called STS alignment. They transformed the handling on my 350z by simply setting it up properly. Also Wheels in Motion in Chesham are great too. Proper specialists!!

 

[scrich7]

I managed 19k out of my fronts from new, was pretty pleased with that. Also replaced with PS3's, albeit they're on the back now so can't really judge yet.

A decent 4 wheel alignment check at an independent with the correct kit (hunter etc) rather than just front wheel tracking shouldn't cost most than £50-60 and they will give you the full picture of results including camber, castor etc.

Many cars will wear the outer edges even within the manufacturer settings. A decent alignment place can dial in settings to avoid this ahppening.

Where are you based? There is a great place i go to in Bedford called STS alignment. They transformed the handling on my 350z by simply setting it up properly. Also Wheels in Motion in Chesham are great too. Proper specialists!!

I'm based in Bedford and will be looking to get the alignment done when I get the fronts changed (they were rotated from the back) in the next couple of months. Is a place like STS going to cost a small fortune?

 

[Matt280]

I'm based in Bedford and will be looking to get the alignment done when I get the fronts changed (they were rotated from the back) in the next couple of months. Is a place like STS going to cost a small fortune?

Not at all. Should be around £50-60 for a full 4-wheel alignment check showing you what is out compared to manufacturer specs and adjustment to bring into line. Will cost you a little more if the rear alignment needs adjusting but on most cars this isn't easily possible anyway. The guy (his name slips my mind but i've been there with four different cars now) knows what he is talking about and can explain what has been done.

You won't get a full 'track day' specific set up where there is something specific you want the car to do but he would do to your specs if required. For the really bespoke approach i'd go to somewhere like Wheels in Motion.

 

[phil750]

Thanks for all responses,

I have a 1.8 manual by the way so the heaviest,also should of said I have 18 inch wheels too, so 16k on front isn't too bad for the way I drive. Most of the time I'm a boring easy driver, but I do have some fun occasional specially when I go to Wales a few times a year (some of the roads just ask for it!)

I phoned around a could of got it done for £22 but just fronts, managed to get it into a garage does all 4 with fancy laser things for £40 so not too bad!

Currently sat waiting to see what results they give me

 

[phil750]

Oki all done, cost 65 in the end as the back had to be done too.

My right side was fine but both left where out, guy took a good 40 mins to get them in line so not bad value for money

Got to see the software they use as well so not bad,

For those that are interested, back was out by 04 with toebar5oit 13.and front was 09 with bar 07.
Then something in the middle out by 0.06 so not sure what that is. All measurements are degrees.