Getting a wheel alingment with a low car?

TimG

TimG

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The last time I needed an alignment on a low car the local garage I went to needed to hang the alignment thingies over the top of the tyre to do it, which didnt work as the top of the tyre was tucked up under the arch!

Is this the case for most garages?

If so, anyone know of anywhere in West Sussex/ Brighton area that can offer tracking on a low car?

Thanks
 
I got my previous car (Seat Leon MK2) 4 wheel aligned. It was done using a hoffmann system (I think) and the gauges clipped over the alloy, not the tyre.

Like the Porsche in this picture :

1196024443_BjKmw-X2.jpg



Try this to locate a local one! www.AlignMyCar.co.uk
 
Adam. said:
I got my previous car (Seat Leon MK2) 4 wheel aligned. It was done using a hoffmann system (I think) and the gauges clipped over the alloy, not the tyre.

Try this to locate a local one! www.AlignMyCar.co.uk
Click to expand...

Thanks, very useful link! I'll have a ring around tommorow for prices.


FranA3 said:
im going to need this done soon as my coilovers are all nicely settled in now
Click to expand...

Fran, off topic, but did your coilovers drop any lower as they settled? How many miles have you done since fitting?
 
yeah they dropped another 5-10mm or so ive done about 1300 miles since fitting , but now im not sure if they are running on the bumpstops as they are the oem ones so are quite big
 
FranA3 said:
yeah they dropped another 5-10mm or so ive done about 1300 miles since fitting , but now im not sure if they are running on the bumpstops as they are the oem ones so are quite big
Click to expand...

Cool, Im hoping mine will do the same with a few miles under the belt. I could do with an extra 10mm up front.

Might just leave the alignment a little while and monitor tyre wear. I want it tracked up asap as I dont want to ruin good tyres, but not before the coils have settled. Difficult balance.
 
i want to go lower up front too but am on the bottom of the adjusters and thats making me think its on the bumpstops hmm will have to take a look at some point , yeah it is mate , i would let them settle for at least 500 - 1000 miles i was advised to let them settle for 1000 miles by n8
 
N8 said:
Got mine done recently -2 out back will go -1 when the new rims go on...
Click to expand...

I didnt realise the REAR camber was adjustable on A3's? I know when I had my MKIV golf it wasnt so it was left as it was. I guess I'll have excess -camber as a natural result of lowering, but I dont want this returned to OEM as its spot on with mm to spare clearance as it is. Could get a touch more -added if I changed tyres & played with spacers but dont really need it with these wheels.

FranA3 said:
i want to go lower up front too but am on the bottom of the adjusters and thats making me think its on the bumpstops hmm will have to take a look at some point , yeah it is mate , i would let them settle for at least 500 - 1000 miles i was advised to let them settle for 1000 miles by n8
Click to expand...

Do the springs rattle ever? Classic sign of riding on bumpstops is rattling springs as the load is taken by the B.stop. How come you fitted the OEM B.stops, did you not get new ones with the coils?
 
Need to get mine done this week or next. I'm lowering the front more so i guess it be best till ive done that?
 
TimG said:
Do the springs rattle ever? Classic sign of riding on bumpstops is rattling springs as the load is taken by the B.stop. How come you fitted the OEM B.stops, did you not get new ones with the coils?
Click to expand...
dont think they ever rattle just thought it would go lower than it has done maybe it is all they lower by , i cant remmember if there was new bumpstops or not i will take a look in the boxes tommorow, i know if fitted new ones to the rear lol
 
Went to visit a garage today with a Hawkeye system and they can do it which is good. Gonna leave it to settle a bit mind before having it done. He asked me if I wanted it set to OEM spec or something custom? So I have a few questions.

What will have been affected by the process of fitting coils on the front and rear (Toe? Camber? Caster?)

What is adjustable front/ rear on my car?

Should I be asking for it to be put back to OEM spec? Do you guys just leave the rear as it is & get the front toe sorted out? I'm sure this is all I've had done in the past but never had a car thats very adjustable before!
 
Last edited:
TimG said:
Went to visit a garage today with a Hawkeye system and they can do it which is good. Gonna leave it to settle a bit mind before having it done. He asked me if I wanted it set to OEM spec or something custom? So I have a few questions.

What will have been affected by the process of fitting coils on the front and rear (Toe? Camber? Caster?)

What is adjustable front/ rear on my car?

Should I be asking for it to be put back to OEM spec? Do you guys just leave the rear as it is & get the front toe sorted out? I'm sure this is all I've had done in the past but never had a car thats very adjustable before!
Click to expand...
i would also love to know too mate for when i have mine done
 
I think my toe etc is all bang on, only thing I changed was camber on the back, but I will adjust it when the new wheels go on, might not need as much, I don't know how much -2 will wear them over time you see.
 
Ive had coilovers fitted on 3 previous cars, but never absolutely decked it immediately & just had a basic toe alignment done locally. My Polo & Golf didnt have any other adjustment to play with anyway.

Today I suggested they leave the rear alone as on previous cars its never been an issue (the extra -camber from lowering means the wheels sit/clear perfectly atm anyway) and to just make sure the front toe is correct. I dont know, but I assume the front camber will be excessively negative from lowering, but just correcting the toe has always been fine to keep the tyre wear even in the past, so I guess just try to keep it simple.
 
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