Tracking done for new tyres?

[mcmaddy]

When people get new tyres fitted do you always get the tracking done as well? I can't remember the last time I had tracking done on a car and was thinking do you need to these days. I phoned the dealer who fitted my tyres to get the rears rebalanced as I can feel a vibration under my seats at 75 and upwards. Receptionist said I might need to book it in for a full wheel alignment check if it wasn't done when the tyres were fitted. What do others do and will the dealer do alignment properly?

[monkeyhanger]

When people get new tyres fitted do you always get the tracking done as well? I can't remember the last time I had tracking done on a car and was thinking do you need to these days. I phoned the dealer who fitted my tyres to get the rears rebalanced as I can feel a vibration under my seats at 75 and upwards. Receptionist said I might need to book it in for a full wheel alignment check if it wasn't done when the tyres were fitted. What do others do and will the dealer do alignment properly?

Chris: the dealer will do a full 4 wheel alignment properly and charge you an arm and a leg for it. Expect to pay something daft like £140, if your tyres have worn evenly then I wouldn't bother, but it is £36.99 at your local ATS when booked on line. Mine was done for the ACC "fix" under warranty, but they won't tell me how far out (if out at all) my wheels and/or ACC sensor was, and how much adjustment was required (if any). My warranty work invoice does not state prices charged to VW for the work.

You probably just need a rebalance.

[Booth11]

I generally try to get a full 4 wheel alignment check (on a Hunter machine) done after every winter, what with all the pot holes etc.  A proper check can be done from anywhere between £40-£90 depending on where you get it done.  I think it's worth it.  If I was having a new set of tyres I'd definitely get one done.  If I get B'stones on my R and end up swapping them for PSS then I'll get the alignment done too.

This might help.  You can find your nearest Hunter centre. 

http://www.alignmycar.co.uk/wheel-alignment-all-you-need-to-know/

[phil_790]

Hi all,

Back in April when I had my tyres changed at a national tyre company, it was noted that they had worn unevenly, so I had them do the wheel alignment (at a much lower price than my local dealer), but didn't tell me that they didn't have the parameters for a mk7 golf, but told me the mk6 wasn't too different from a mk7! So just be careful when getting it done anywhere other than a VW dealer. Needless to say I got a full refund and got it done properly at my local dealer for about £100 for full 4 wheel alignment.

They were a little bit out, the garage did give me a full copy of the report with the before and after values of every parameter.

Cheers,
Phil

[Rhyso]

Follow the link Booth gave you and you won't go wrong 

I have my car tracked twice a year; when my winter wheels go on and when they come back off

Last couple of years its only ever needed a tiny adjustment and my tyres have worn evenly

Keeping an eye on your tyre pressures will help too   

[Booth11]

Keeping an eye on your tyre pressures will help too   

This too.

Annual alignment check and monthly tyre pressure check should keep everything on track (pardon the pun).  At my service a couple weeks back the tyres were wearing very evenly so combination of the above does keep things in check.

I've got one of these and it's proved to be accurate against the proper tyre pressure machines.  Just more convenient.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Michelin-Digital-Tyre-Pressure-Gauge/dp/B000V5F0XQ/ref=sr_1_1/276-4746636-5241734?ie=UTF8&qid=1438030566&sr=8-1&keywords=michelin+tyre+pressure+guage

[mcmaddy]

Booth I've got exactly the same gauge  I check my tyres every week if I can and I'm sure my old tyres wore evenly. I haven't got a hunter alignment centre in Sunderland and not that keen to go to revolution in Gateshead either.

[Booth11]

Booth I've got exactly the same gauge  I check my tyres every week if I can and I'm sure my old tyres wore evenly. I haven't got a hunter alignment centre in Sunderland and not that keen to go to revolution in Gateshead either.

Yeah the Michelin tyre guage is very good.

If you can't find a Hunter place local to you, there must be somewhere nearby that offers comparable 4 wheel optical, laser alignment system, measuring within the parameters similar to the Hunter system, i.e. measurements from minimum of 12 angles, before and after readouts, etc?