Tracking/alignment worth it?

leitmotif

Interesting. I had heard of the 20p check but not this. Will give it a go once the rain stops.

mansicklebobblebod

I've just had the front lower arms replaced on my car so I've been shopping round for the cheapest tracking.

try kwik fit, they said they do a free tracking check and if it needs adjusting it was £25.I eventually used another garage and it was £25.

My car is handling much better now I've had it done,but then again, it was waaay out following the replacement parts.

Things that can knock your tracking out are wear and tear,big impacts such as major pot hole,replacement running gear such as new ball joints,bushes,track control arms.

The fact that Tracking (or alignment) may need to be adjusted is not a con, it is important to have your tracking set up right,as above,however,It is a con, if you're being told it needs doing when it doesn't.

I'm sure there will be more than kwik fit who do a free alignment check.Do your home work as some vehicles have adjustability on all four corners,many vehicles just need the front wheels aligning so be sure they don't charge you for four wheel alignment when you only need two.
hope that helps!

System

mansicklebobblebod wrote: »

Do your home work as some vehicles have adjustability on all four corners,many vehicles just need the front wheels aligning so be sure they don't charge you for four wheel alignment when you only need two.
hope that helps!

You misunderstand what 4 wheel alignment is. It doesn't mean that they adjust all four wheels, it means that they make sure that the front wheels as well as being toed in or out correctly to each other are also lined up properly with the rear wheels so you don't end up with a car that crabs sideways down the road.

Noree

If your wear is not uneven and your steering is fine, then they are just trying to up-sale and get more money out of you. I used to work in a dealership and it has been the norm for years.

Plus if it helps to know, when it comes to MOT and tyre standards, your primary grooves are to be measured ONLY and pass if 1.6mm or over. The rest of the tyre can be bold as long as cords are not on show or there are bulges etc.

To slightly contradict myself, Id not run my own tyres below 3mm any time of the year!!

System

Noree wrote: »

Plus if it helps to know, when it comes to MOT and tyre standards, your primary grooves are to be measured ONLY

Actually it is the middle 75% of the tyre to be correct.

Noree

Tarambor wrote: »

Actually it is the middle 75% of the tyre to be correct.

No. That is not correct.

The only part of the tyre measured during an MOT are the primary grooves. Secondary cuts and sipes etc are designed to wear quicker and are not to be assessed for tread. This would be the rest of the tyre, basically.

You can find it here at 4.1 E of the manual:
https://www.mot-testing.service.gov.uk/documents/manuals/m4s04000107.htm

Your primary grooves are within the centre three quarters. I doubt any tyre is made with a primary grove outside it. This is not something that I or any other person I know has ever seen.

Other than the primary grooves (within centre three quarters), the rest of the tyre CAN be devoid of tread and should still pass an MOT. If not, then the tester is doing it wrong.

Things are slightly different if the 1mm limit applies.