When my car was lowered they tracked it at the same time, this was done at a motorsports garage that actually sell tyres too, but even they said it idealy needs to be done by computer tracking and they recommended a place called Christchurch tyres because they had all the right equipment and their ramp was suitable for a lowered car.
I didn't bother at the time because I thought they were being perfectionists and I couldn't be arsed to go anywhere else. My car felt a little bit odd, it was pulling strongly to the left but I ignored it for a while. I then had the tyre wear problem so I got Fiat to look at it and they tracked it at the dealers, but my car was still pulling left, I took it back to Fiat, they looked at it and said it was tracked perfectly.
I then took it to christchurch tyres who stuck it up on the ramps and aligned the wheels using computers and gave me a readout at the end. The wheels were WAY out of alignment. As soon as I got back in the car it felt unbelievably stable at low and high speeds..
Taken Directly from the christchurch tyre website..
http://www.christchurchtyre.co.uk/
What Everyone Should Know About
Total Wheel Alignment
On this vehicle, the front wheels are not aligned to the rear thrust line. This can happen from normal wear and stress, whether your vehicle has adjustable or non-adjustable rear suspension.
To steer straight ahead, you would have to steer the front wheels slightly to the right.
A common result would be that the vehicle would "dog track" and possibly pull to one side.
Of course, the angles are exaggerated so you can more easily see the condition. But it takes only a small misalignment to create problems. Why Four Wheel Alignment?
Reduced Tyre Wear Improper alignment is a major cause of premature tire wear. Over the years, a properly aligned vehicle can add thousands of miles to tyre life.Better Fuel Consumption Miles per gallon/litre increase as rolling resistance decreases. Total alignment sets all four wheels parallel which, along with proper inflation, minimises rolling resistance.Improved Handling Does your car pull to one side? Does the steering wheel vibrate? Do you constantly have to move the steering wheel to keep your car traveling straight ahead? Many handling problems can be corrected by total alignment. With all the system components aligned properly, road shock is more efficiently absorbed for a smoother ride.Safer DrivingA suspension system inspection is part of our alignment procedure. This allows us to spot worn out parts before they cause costly problems.
Q. How important is wheel alignment?A. Think of it this way. Research indicates that the average car is driven about 12,000 miles per year. A car with toe alignment just 0.34 degrees (Just 0.17 inches) out of specification has dragged it's tyres sideways for more than 68 miles by the end of the year!!Q. What are the "symptoms" of wheel alignment.A. Have your car checked if you notice any of the following:
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Here's the before and after wheel alignment readout I was given...
The link below with the red Toe alignment is the one before it was done so there was quite a difference considering it had just been tracked at Fiat before this, it shows it needs doing properly.
I left both pictures as large as possible so it was easier to read the numbers.
Before it was computer aligned
After it was computer aligned
I didn't bother at the time because I thought they were being perfectionists and I couldn't be arsed to go anywhere else. My car felt a little bit odd, it was pulling strongly to the left but I ignored it for a while. I then had the tyre wear problem so I got Fiat to look at it and they tracked it at the dealers, but my car was still pulling left, I took it back to Fiat, they looked at it and said it was tracked perfectly.
I then took it to christchurch tyres who stuck it up on the ramps and aligned the wheels using computers and gave me a readout at the end. The wheels were WAY out of alignment. As soon as I got back in the car it felt unbelievably stable at low and high speeds..
Taken Directly from the christchurch tyre website..
http://www.christchurchtyre.co.uk/
What Everyone Should Know About
Total Wheel Alignment
On this vehicle, the front wheels are not aligned to the rear thrust line. This can happen from normal wear and stress, whether your vehicle has adjustable or non-adjustable rear suspension.
To steer straight ahead, you would have to steer the front wheels slightly to the right.
Of course, the angles are exaggerated so you can more easily see the condition. But it takes only a small misalignment to create problems. Why Four Wheel Alignment?
Reduced Tyre Wear Improper alignment is a major cause of premature tire wear. Over the years, a properly aligned vehicle can add thousands of miles to tyre life.Better Fuel Consumption Miles per gallon/litre increase as rolling resistance decreases. Total alignment sets all four wheels parallel which, along with proper inflation, minimises rolling resistance.Improved Handling Does your car pull to one side? Does the steering wheel vibrate? Do you constantly have to move the steering wheel to keep your car traveling straight ahead? Many handling problems can be corrected by total alignment. With all the system components aligned properly, road shock is more efficiently absorbed for a smoother ride.Safer DrivingA suspension system inspection is part of our alignment procedure. This allows us to spot worn out parts before they cause costly problems.
Here's What We Do:
For vehicles with non-adjustable rear suspensions
For vehicles with non-adjustable rear suspensions
- Angled readings are measured at all four wheels
- The steering wheel is centered
- Front wheels are referenced to rear thrust line and set to specification
Result: All four wheels are parallel and the steering wheel is centered.
- Angle readings are made at all four wheels
- Rear wheels are set to specification. (Rear thrust line corresponds to vehicle centerline.)
- Steering wheel is centered.
- Front wheels are referenced to rear thrust line and set to specifications.
Result: All four wheels are parallel and the steering wheel is centered.
Q. How important is wheel alignment?A. Think of it this way. Research indicates that the average car is driven about 12,000 miles per year. A car with toe alignment just 0.34 degrees (Just 0.17 inches) out of specification has dragged it's tyres sideways for more than 68 miles by the end of the year!!Q. What are the "symptoms" of wheel alignment.A. Have your car checked if you notice any of the following:
- Excessive or uneven tyre wear
- Steering wheel pulls to the left or right
- Feeling of looseness or wandering
- Steering wheel vibration or shimmy
- Steering wheel is not centered when car is moving straight ahead
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Here's the before and after wheel alignment readout I was given...
The link below with the red Toe alignment is the one before it was done so there was quite a difference considering it had just been tracked at Fiat before this, it shows it needs doing properly.
I left both pictures as large as possible so it was easier to read the numbers.
Before it was computer aligned
After it was computer aligned
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