(T) 4 wheel Laser Alignment

Had 4 wheel vehicle suspension geometry report done today at my local Chemix. The initial check was free and then the technician showed me what he had found the results to be. The total 'toe' (how much the wheels turn towards or away from the car) was out -35 degrees from manufacturers spec. He showed how this had already caused the inside edge of one of my new tyres to wear (some of you will remember that this is the set I had replaced under warranty in Dec 04) - all this is done using laser alignment.

It then cost me £27.50 plus VAT to put right. It was done in ten minutes and the settings are now perfect. It's stopped the car pulling to the left which it had started to do again and it now feels perfect.

I'd reccommend all Stilo owners that have had the tyre wear problems to have this done - as if your set up's ok you wont have to pay anyway, so there's nothing to loose.

They reccommend this check is done every three to six months and I for one will definately stick to this...just wanted to share it with you.

Hi Jasper

I had this done by Nige soon after springs fitted. I recently had 4 new Bridgestones on, and they recommended I get it done again, now that the springs are settled in - next week sounds like a good idea.

As for 'toe' and the manufactures spec, do you have these figures to hand. I have my sheet somewhere, and would be interesting to compare.

Also, there is an oldish thread on here about 'recommended' toe settings, making the car more stable at speed - I will have a quick hunt for it

Stu

Can I find that thread anywhere - no

Hi Stu, I was provided with a colour before and after print out by Chemix, but I don't have a scanner.

The figs before were; Left -0.20 degrees Right -15 Total toe -0.35
after; left +0.06 Right 0.13 Total toe 0.20

Hope this helps.

Just had a couple of Bridgestones fitted and they checked my tracking FOC, they said it was very slightly out but not by alot. I asked if it was worth adjusting and they didn't seem to think so, so I didn't bother. I might get it checked elsewhere to be sure.

Bought Bridgestone Protenza something or other at @£110 a piece fitted, Pirelli P7000 were slightly cheaper but the guy thought the Bridgestone was a harder wearing compound which sounds good for my high mileage.

I got 4 Bridgestone Potenzas on mine - the RE04s I think - rrp was £110, but I managed to get them down to £85 per corner YES, fully fitted and balanced as well

Well done, I just paid what they asked.

Well, Mytyres.com sell them for £70 - by the time I got them here, and then up to my village garage to fit them for £10 each, the extra £5 was well worth it.

I was told they were grippy - I wasn't too concerned about tyrewear. They are a lot better than the Pirellis I had on, thats for sure.

My ones may have been more expensive because I've got 17" alloys, haven't you got 16" alloys?

Just looked at the invoice and I got the RE011's, just checked Mytyres and they sell the RE010 for £92.20 so £110 incl. fitting, balance, valve and disposal isn't too bad.

Ah, good point - mine were the 205/55/16s.

I will go look on tyres tomorrow, get the exact markings.

I might go for Bridgestone when I do have to replace the Eagle F1's.

They look good, they have a slightly flatter outer wall than the Michelins, can't comment on performance much since I've done about 2 miles on them.

Hi Stu I've recently purchased the Fiat Stilo diagnostics CD off Ebay. Pm me if you want a copy I'm pretty sure it has the wheel alignment settings on it.

Hi

I MUST sort out those disks for you this weekend as well

The diagnostics CD? This the same as the workshop CD, which I already have?

What I was getting at earlier is that someone posted a different 'toe' setup to that recommended by FIAT.

I would'nt go with any other settings m8. BTW I think the CD you've already got is probably the same one I have.