Four wheel alignment (Hunter system) - anyone had it done?

[stugib]

Background: just bought a 56 plate Citroen C2 which I've now noticed is pulling a little to the left and the steering wheel isn't exactly centred when driving in a straight line.

Looked around today and Nationwide Autocentres will do alignment for £31, but I also found a few places locally that are now using the Hunter system (http://www.pro-align.co.uk/wheelalignment/whyalignment.htm) that will do four wheel alignment which they claim is much more reliable than basic tracking (and even give you a computerised printout (http://dotnet.hunter.com/AlignmentNET/AlignmentNETAccess/VehicleView02.aspx?XML=/AlignmentCDQQMM.XML%20)on a USB stick, woohoo :rolleyes:). They claim it's better because rather than just adjust the front alignment they take camera readings and more measurements than standard tracking and adjust all four wheels plus reset the steering straight and reset it to the manufacturer's (i.e. car-specific) settings. All seems good but is £80.

Has anyone used one of these systems, and is it worth the extra? Is the £30 job just as likely to fix my problem?

p.s. tracking=alignment, right? Could balancing be a contributing factor too?

[Pew Pew Pew Lasers!]

Not sure which system it was that they used, but I had mine laser aligned on all 4 wheels and it made a huge difference.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/tom.jeffs4/car%20stuff/merc%20tech/geometry%20check%20merc.jpg

Cost was around £90. Well worth it.

[in2deep]

^^WHS^^ laser alignment is well worth the money.

[stugib]

Thanks both. Decided to go for middle option with a local place (http://www.magnumtyres.co.uk/station_page.asp?pid=263) - doesn't seem as advanced as the Hunter system (Pew' - judging from your link that's the system you used) but it claims to do the same thing and is 4-wheel based, and is only £30.

[banger9365]

i get my cars lazer aligned at least twice a year,to keep the tyre wear even and every thing else

[Keith]

Do FWD cars need 4 wheel alignment? I didn't think you could adjust the rear wheel alignment

[mr_accountant]

Do FWD cars need 4 wheel alignment? I didn't think you could adjust the rear wheel alignment

if you want a good job done then yes you do, even if rears are non adjustable.

a good website which is simple to understand is below

http://www.alignmycar.co.uk/

[tomstickland]

You can't adjust the rears, but you can align the adjustable fronts with the rears.
Having said that, steering wheel being off centre means very little, as long as the rack is centered.

[mr_accountant]

I have my Citroen xantia done using a state of the art using a john bean machine which is similar to the hunter type. In essence the rears are measured then the steering wheel centered then the fronts adjusted. This should ensure that the steering is central and all tyres wear evenly. my previous post shows a good website.

On my car only front toe is adjustable but still a 4-wheel alignment is needed. Avoid the fast fits type outlets; they do not have the proper equipment despite what they say.

Find a tyre centre with either a hunter or john bean system, these are the best. I used a local centre and they charged £10 for the wheel alignment check and another £15 for the front toe adjustment, which is a fair price. remeber if the steering is not centered the job has not been corrected done (probably due to uneven track rod adjustments). you should also receive a pre-adjustemnt and post adjustmant print like the ones in the previous posts. there is no need to pay too much, £30 -£40 is the limit, only cars with rear wheel adjustment will be more.

I went to the following place http://tyresgalore.co.uk/alignment.htm

[in2deep]

A lot of modern cars now are adjustable in all directions castor/camber/toein/toeout. On the front AND rear.

So yes get it checked.