Join Today
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 29
  1. #1
    Banned
    Power of a Sports Car, Turning
    Circle of a Bus.

    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Mid Wales
    Posts
    4,813
    Thanks
    1,529
    Thanked 806 Times in 636 Posts

    My Wheel Alignment Results

    Hi

    Today I went off to ATS Euromaster and took advantage of their 'Pothole Buster' deal and got the wheels aligned and balanced.

    The front two wheels were tracked correctly but were not aligned (if that makes sense). I watched the computer screen as the guy moved the alignment and both are now correctly aligned, although my steering wheel is now 'left lopsided' instead of 'right lopsided' - annoying how I can't seem to get it to sit dead straight!

    As for balancing, I'm told all 4 wheels have some sort of buckle and basically it's down to age and useage, remember they have done 230,000 miles, so I'm going to have to look at replacing the wheels at some point rather than refurbing them. The balance was out on pretty much all of them too.

    The back wheels he said were not adjustable despite the tracking being "miles out", this suprised me somewhat. I want to get opinions on this, because he said the only way to sort the rear end out is to change worn suspension parts until it puts itself right..?

    Anyway, on to the results. I got some print outs (as promised) and you can see for yourself the Before and After readings. The only thing he was able to adjust was the front wheel alignment as everything else was either ok or unadjustable......

    Alignment Before
    Name:  Alignment Before.jpg
Views: 0
Size:  902.7 KB

    Alignment After
    Name:  Alignment After.jpg
Views: 0
Size:  897.2 KB

    I've got slightly less wheel shake now although that's still present and is likely down to my warped brake disc on the front. But overall, there is a slight improvement in car feel and handling. The total cost was £60 but to be honest, it was worth it for peace of mind if nothing else.

    Regards

    James
    Attached Images Attached Images   
    Last edited by JamesT5; Friday 7th September 2012 at 12:57. Reason: Picture Labelling Wrong Way Around

  2. #2
    Banned
    Power of a Sports Car, Turning
    Circle of a Bus.

    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Mid Wales
    Posts
    4,813
    Thanks
    1,529
    Thanked 806 Times in 636 Posts
    By the way, ignore the attached thumnails in the grey box at the bottom of the post, the labeeling 'Before' and 'After' is on the wrong picture and I can't seem to get rid of the thumbnails box at the bottom.

  3. #3
    Senior Member
    VPCUK reigning car of the year
    Nealevo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    Home for now.
    Posts
    3,867
    Thanks
    2,157
    Thanked 2,777 Times in 1,607 Posts
    If id just paid £60 to have my wheels balanced and tracked i would be returning with those results mate, The steering wheel should be centre and they adjust from there, plus the wheels should be balance to at maximum 5 grams on the front, plus on my car (855r) you can adjust the rear toe in etc, I re align loads of cars every week at work when clumsy customers go off track, and even after many hours the Steering wheel should NOT wobble. I personnal would take it back to get it re checked. but after all your recent woes im sure you are sick to death of the car now!!!

  4. #4
    Senior Member
    228k and still not broke it!

    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Poole, Dorset
    Posts
    23,213
    Thanks
    6,548
    Thanked 7,752 Times in 5,648 Posts
    Does anybody else think that the rear subframe is misaligned?

    I believe there is adjustment on the rear wheels too. (I'll have to check to confirm but I'm sure protyre adjusted mine)

    Kinda looks like it's gone sideways into a kerb, back wheel first.
    19t, greens, 3" inlet, 3" downpipe with race cat, V70R catback, autotech map...

    310.2bhp / 333ft/lb

    2016 Swedish Day UK "Best Modified Swede"
    SOLD

    Got an old discovery now.

  5. The Following User Says Thank You to M-R-P For This Useful Post:

    JamesT5 (Friday 7th September 2012)

  6. #5
    Banned
    Power of a Sports Car, Turning
    Circle of a Bus.

    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Mid Wales
    Posts
    4,813
    Thanks
    1,529
    Thanked 806 Times in 636 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by Nealevo View Post
    If id just paid £60 to have my wheels balanced and tracked i would be returning with those results mate, The steering wheel should be centre and they adjust from there, plus the wheels should be balance to at maximum 5 grams on the front, plus on my car (855r) you can adjust the rear toe in etc, I re align loads of cars every week at work when clumsy customers go off track, and even after many hours the Steering wheel should NOT wobble. I personnal would take it back to get it re checked. but after all your recent woes im sure you are sick to death of the car now!!!
    Well my thought was, why isn't the wheel straight, it should be dead centre. And yes, you're right, this car is slowly erroding my patience.

  7. #6
    Banned
    Power of a Sports Car, Turning
    Circle of a Bus.

    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Mid Wales
    Posts
    4,813
    Thanks
    1,529
    Thanked 806 Times in 636 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by M-R-P View Post
    Does anybody else think that the rear subframe is misaligned?

    I believe there is adjustment on the rear wheels too. (I'll have to check to confirm but I'm sure protyre adjusted mine)

    Kinda looks like it's gone sideways into a kerb, back wheel first.
    If there is adjustment on the rear wheels, I'll be booking the car back in and asking them to look at it again hopefully at a heavily discounted rate. I'll be interested to find out where (if anwhere) the rear wheel alignment adjusters are. he seemed to have a good look for them but couldn't see any.

  8. #7
    Driving Miss Daisy
    This user has no status
    V70 Graham's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    West London
    Posts
    10,942
    Thanks
    2,909
    Thanked 4,171 Times in 2,943 Posts
    James, you should not have an off centre steering wheel if the car has been aligned properly, I use these for all my tyres and alignment needs.....

    http://www.southalldiscounttyres.co.uk/

    They use the following laser equipement.....

    http://www.pro-align.co.uk/proalignp...gingalignment/

    I know you are in Mid Wales but it would be worthwile to hunt out a reputable 4 wheel alignment centre, the steering wheels on both the V70 and VAG are dead straight, with no pulling or wobbling whatsoever.


    The Relentless Pursuit Of Perfection

  9. The Following User Says Thank You to V70 Graham For This Useful Post:

    JamesT5 (Friday 7th September 2012)

  10. #8
    Senior Member
    VPCUK reigning car of the year
    Nealevo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    Home for now.
    Posts
    3,867
    Thanks
    2,157
    Thanked 2,777 Times in 1,607 Posts
    James have a look at this
    http://www.volvoclub.org.uk/tech/ser...Procedures.pdf

    It shows the rear adjusting place

    Neal

  11. The Following User Says Thank You to Nealevo For This Useful Post:

    JamesT5 (Friday 7th September 2012)

  12. #9
    Trader
    Ready for the weekend
    partsforvolvos.com's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    Rainy Wellingborough
    Posts
    1,684
    Thanks
    270
    Thanked 613 Times in 451 Posts
    rear toe adjustment on the later car is on the square frame bar at the inside with the oval washer on the bolt as far as i know.

    Name:  Untitled.jpg
Views: 0
Size:  161.6 KB
    hope this helps.

  13. The Following User Says Thank You to partsforvolvos.com For This Useful Post:

    JamesT5 (Friday 7th September 2012)

  14. #10
    Trader
    Ready for the weekend
    partsforvolvos.com's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    Rainy Wellingborough
    Posts
    1,684
    Thanks
    270
    Thanked 613 Times in 451 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by M-R-P View Post
    Does anybody else think that the rear subframe is misaligned?
    nope , very slim chance

  15. The Following User Says Thank You to partsforvolvos.com For This Useful Post:

    JamesT5 (Friday 7th September 2012)

  16. #11
    Senior Member
    a 19t just isn't laggy enough
    p fandango's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Posts
    19,785
    Thanks
    4,216
    Thanked 5,021 Times in 4,072 Posts
    must get Bonny's tracking checked lol

  17. #12
    Banned
    Power of a Sports Car, Turning
    Circle of a Bus.

    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Mid Wales
    Posts
    4,813
    Thanks
    1,529
    Thanked 806 Times in 636 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by partsforvolvos.com View Post
    rear toe adjustment on the later car is on the square frame bar at the inside with the oval washer on the bolt as far as i know.

    Name:  Untitled.jpg
Views: 0
Size:  161.6 KB
    hope this helps.
    Thanks, I'm just trying to work out how that set up adjusts the rear alignment. Maybe I should print it off and take it to ATS and bring up the lopsided wheel at the same time.

    Thanks to everyone so far for their help...
    Last edited by JamesT5; Friday 7th September 2012 at 15:49.

  18. #13
    Banned
    Power of a Sports Car, Turning
    Circle of a Bus.

    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Mid Wales
    Posts
    4,813
    Thanks
    1,529
    Thanked 806 Times in 636 Posts
    The car is rebooked for Wednesday afternoon and I've taken the diagram to the garage to show them it. I've also asked them to look in to why the steering wheel is on a slant, still. Thanks for all you advice as always chaps, much appreciated.
    Last edited by JamesT5; Friday 7th September 2012 at 21:35.

  19. The Following User Says Thank You to JamesT5 For This Useful Post:

    Nealevo (Friday 7th September 2012)

  20. #14
    Banned
    Power of a Sports Car, Turning
    Circle of a Bus.

    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Mid Wales
    Posts
    4,813
    Thanks
    1,529
    Thanked 806 Times in 636 Posts
    For your 'amusement', I've taken some photographs tonight of the wheel in 3 different positions. They represent the approximate wheel position when diriving in a straight line before the alignment, after the alignment and where it should be now (first photo), pretty obvious but it's a good comparison photo. Oh, and I've also taken one of my odometer just to show off my high mileage! I did take the photos whilst safely parked up with the handbrake on, but the wheel position is pretty much exactly where it is when on the move.

    Position of the wheel when dirivng in a straight line...

    For comparison - The theoretical correct position that it should be in (once the wheels are aligned properly):
    Name:  Wheel Centre.jpg
Views: 0
Size:  518.2 KB

    Before Alignment:
    Name:  Wheel Right.jpg
Views: 0
Size:  552.3 KB

    After Alignment:
    Name:  Wheel Left.jpg
Views: 0
Size:  518.9 KB

    Now tell me I've got OCD someone please, or am I on to something here.

    Just to show off, here's my odometer reading as of 07/09/2012...

    Name:  Mileage.jpg
Views: 0
Size:  490.0 KB

    Regards

    James

  21. #15
    Senior Member
    ...here we go again...
    LeeT5's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Kent
    Posts
    5,337
    Thanks
    1,075
    Thanked 1,393 Times in 1,068 Posts
    James,

    Everything on the rear of your car is adjustable accept the Camber. Unless you lower your car then you won't need to adjust camber anyway, which can only be done using IPD's rear camber bushes. I have them fitted to mine to the MAX position which brings my car into spec once lowered 30mm. Without them i'd be 2 degrees negative camber and my tyres wouldn't last 5 minutes!
    Also, if i'd spent £60 on 4 wheel alignment i would expect the guy thats adjusting my car to know what he's doing and the Steering wheel would be straight as an arrow, NO exeptions!!

    Here is what my alighnment looked like two weeks ago....



    And here it is AFTER adjustments were made:
    (Note: This set up is as per the HEICO race team settings for V70R/S60R. I can assure you my steering is perfectly straight and there is no wandering or pulling, vibration or otherwise. It is just perfect!!):



    I will point out that the left rear camber (shown in red) is, as you can see, a knats §§§§ out. However when you sit in the car this turns green and goes well into spec.

    Note ALL the TOE settings on the rear are '0' and the steer ahead is also '0'. This 4 wheel alighnment cost me £59.94 inc vat.
    Last edited by LeeT5; Tuesday 11th September 2012 at 21:30.
    2014 V60 Polestar 6spd Auto :: Polestar map peak boost 17.4psi :: IPD 3" DP + 150cel :: Polestar 2.5" exhaust :: Paddle Shift Geartronic :: Black glass :: Maxton Splitter :: K+N Filter :: IPD Aluminium Top engine mount :: Brembo 6 pots :: 20" Polestar rims :: Brembo 371mm floating discs :: Sensus RTi + DAB + BT + WIFi :: D3S XENARC 6000k Active bending headlights

  22. #16
    Senior Member
    a 19t just isn't laggy enough
    p fandango's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Posts
    19,785
    Thanks
    4,216
    Thanked 5,021 Times in 4,072 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by LeeT5 View Post
    I will point out that the left rear camber (shown in red) is, as you can see, a knats §§§§ out. However when you sit in the car this turns green and goes well into spec.
    your driving from the wrong seat then lol

    Without them i'd be 2 degrees negative camber and my tyres wouldn't last 5 minutes!
    i've just fitted 6degree camber plates lol

  23. #17
    Trader
    Ready for the weekend
    partsforvolvos.com's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    Rainy Wellingborough
    Posts
    1,684
    Thanks
    270
    Thanked 613 Times in 451 Posts
    i believe the issue with the steering wheel is because although they would have clamped it striaght (or should have) there is a slight play at rest in the middle and often if this is not centered after the steering is turned execessively whilst stationary then the wheel will be slightly out to one side or the other.

    but, you paid and it should be correct- no questions!

  24. #18
    Trader
    Ready for the weekend
    partsforvolvos.com's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    Rainy Wellingborough
    Posts
    1,684
    Thanks
    270
    Thanked 613 Times in 451 Posts
    pedro- it aint an E30 beemer !!!!!!!!! thats not volvo like

  25. #19
    Senior Member
    ...here we go again...
    LeeT5's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Kent
    Posts
    5,337
    Thanks
    1,075
    Thanked 1,393 Times in 1,068 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by partsforvolvos.com View Post
    i believe the issue with the steering wheel is because although they would have clamped it striaght (or should have) there is a slight play at rest in the middle and often if this is not centered after the steering is turned execessively whilst stationary then the wheel will be slightly out to one side or the other.

    but, you paid and it should be correct- no questions!
    I totally agree. Earlier this year i had slight issues with alighnment in that everytime it was adjusted the steering was never quite 100%, maybe 98% at best. It was noted that there was quite alot of freeplay in the steering. A trip to Volvo and they replaced the steering U/J and my steering was as tight as a nuns chaf

    ...Back to the alighnment center and the results speak for themselves.
    2014 V60 Polestar 6spd Auto :: Polestar map peak boost 17.4psi :: IPD 3" DP + 150cel :: Polestar 2.5" exhaust :: Paddle Shift Geartronic :: Black glass :: Maxton Splitter :: K+N Filter :: IPD Aluminium Top engine mount :: Brembo 6 pots :: 20" Polestar rims :: Brembo 371mm floating discs :: Sensus RTi + DAB + BT + WIFi :: D3S XENARC 6000k Active bending headlights

  26. #20
    Banned
    Power of a Sports Car, Turning
    Circle of a Bus.

    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Mid Wales
    Posts
    4,813
    Thanks
    1,529
    Thanked 806 Times in 636 Posts
    I've been back to ATS today and thanks to Parts For Volvo for the diagram, I was able to give that to the garage so they could locate the rear adjusters.

    When I arrived, they said that I was the 3rd person to complain about the steering wheel not being straight, and I asked them when the equipment was due for calibration. They said that they'd had it a year and it was due for a calibration test, which might explain why the gentleman who was waiting at the garage with me was also there for a re-check, after which his wheel still wasn't straight!

    So they have rechecked mine and to be honest, I think they've finally got mine within spec. The steering wheel is now straight as far as I can tell, and now the back wheels and front wheels are aligned I can feel a massive difference in the ride comfort of the car. I took it down a 2 mile stretch of dual carriageway and where before my wheel used to shake (that was balancing), and the car vibrated a lot, now the car feels much smoother and the handling seems sharper.

    Best of all, they let me off the extra costs normally involved with doing the back adjustment because of the inconvenience of having to book the car back in. In total I've paid £59.99 to front and rear wheel alignment and balancing checked and corrected on a all 4 wheels.

    I still have 4 out of round alloy wheels and I've noticed twice today a knocking sound when I've turned the wheel. Having replaced pretty much every major suspension component on the front end apart from the shocks, I'm sure this knock is a worn stut top mount and I'm going to get all of them changed when I have the shocks done (next major job on my list). I also need to change the front brake discs as at least one is warped from the stuck caliper a few weeks ago - when I apply the brakes the wheel wobbles around so the discs are getting replaced.

    Anwyay, Parts For Volvo, I'll be looking your way first for parts so I'll see what you've got available on your website, but I'm not quite ready to buy new bits yet I've got to save up for them first. As for the alignment, I've got a print out (see below) from ATS, which shows the alignment now that they have done the work. All in all, much much better!

    On a foot note, I noticed the first time they checked the alignment, they used the 1991 - 2000 model run which was obviously the 'profile' for the 850 and the P1 V70's. I did point out this the first time but the guy insisted the profiles were almost identical. This time, I asked them to select the correct profile just to make sure everything was right.

    Thanks to everyone for their help and advice!

    Name:  Wheels Realigned.jpg
Views: 0
Size:  513.6 KB

    Regards

    James

  27. The Following User Says Thank You to JamesT5 For This Useful Post:

    partsforvolvos.com (Friday 14th September 2012)


 

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
This website uses cookies
We use cookies to store session information to facilitate remembering your login information, to allow you to save website preferences, to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners.
     
ipv6 ready