Justin Posted October 12, 2002 Share Posted October 12, 2002 Does anyone know if the wheel alignment geometry settings for a J-Spec are the same for a UK spec, probably not if they have different suspension set ups I guess. I reckon that when I take it to my garage they will only have the UK spec on their system so won't be able to align my wheels. My problem is when travelling at just over 100 electrons the steering wheel vibrates nastily up and down presumably coz that is what the front wheels are doing too. I have had different wheels fitted and balancing recently but the problem has stayed with me. How much should I be paying for 4 wheel alignment? Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam_SG Posted October 12, 2002 Share Posted October 12, 2002 Toyota charge over 100 pounds an independent garage will charge between 30-70 depending on how much re-aligning they have to do. I had the same problem and the alignment sorted it a treat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GavinL Posted October 12, 2002 Share Posted October 12, 2002 Originally posted by Justin Does anyone know if the wheel alignment geometry settings for a J-Spec are the same for a UK spec, probably not if they have different suspension set ups I guess. I reckon that when I take it to my garage they will only have the UK spec on their system so won't be able to align my wheels. My problem is when travelling at just over 100 electrons the steering wheel vibrates nastily up and down presumably coz that is what the front wheels are doing too. I have had different wheels fitted and balancing recently but the problem has stayed with me. How much should I be paying for 4 wheel alignment? Cheers The alignments on http://www.mkiv.com are well tested and work well on all cars. I paid £105 for my alignment when my new suspension was fitted. If everything is out of the spec you have a bill of £120+ no problem Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian C Posted October 12, 2002 Share Posted October 12, 2002 I see you are in the East UK so this may be relevant. I recently had mine done at Mann Egerton body repairs in Norwich. £65 for full 4-wheel laser alignment, it was the proper up-on-ramps huge Sun box of electronics per wheel and a big computery box affair. They sorted out 1deg of camber on a rear wheel and neutralised the toe-out on the front. The kit worked on a lowered Supra, and the people there were very friendly, helpful, kept me updated on progress and talked about what they were going to do before they did it. Took about 2.5 hours in all, so take a book -Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dil Posted October 12, 2002 Share Posted October 12, 2002 I had the same problem, but it turned out that one of the balancing weights on the the drivers side wheel had fallen off, so you might want to check that out cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
francesca Posted October 13, 2002 Share Posted October 13, 2002 Apex Tyres in Peterborough have recently moved into a new unit and have had £26000 of Sun equipment fitted - only one of it's kind in the country at the moment. We have had one of the cars tested (Smart) but not the Supra yet as I haven't had time to take it. I was going to scan & post the results on here when I did, but I think Justin may be close to Peterborough anyway if he wants to check it out. They are on Mancetter Square in P'boro, just of the A15/Lincoln Rd. Tel no. is 01733 575921. Mark is the chap to speak to, he is as straight as a die & very helpful. Cost is £35. I did ask why they didn't charge £100+ like everyone else, and was it the same checks, yes it is & he basically said he didn't need to rip people off to make a living...why can't all garages be like that! Unfortunately he only does tyres/exhausts/batteries etc. They also do very good tyre prices, get my S03's from there & he will undercut any price. They tweaked the Supra settings a few times for me (pre new equipment) on the basis of feedback from me on how it handled & I have very few problems with it - I have to be very silly on wet roads to get it to let go. It is set somewhere between struggling to turn in and going round tail first! (Don't have the figures, but mine is very lowered anyway) They love Supra's, but if one of the wind-up merchants there tell you they know a black Veilside with 800hp take it with a BIG pinch of salt! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Need4Speed Posted October 16, 2002 Share Posted October 16, 2002 Basically it's not equipment but skill/knowledge that counts when setting a chassis up. Good equipment helps but it's not everything. There's no such thing as the right set-up. It all depends on the car, the tyres, the ride height, the spring rates, etc. You don't need a computer to align wheels, two staright rods and a ball of fine string, together with a ruler is the way to go. Ask any race car engineer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Need4Speed Posted October 16, 2002 Share Posted October 16, 2002 Justin I doubt that you problem is wheel alignment. If you are 100% confident that the wheel balance is OK, check wheel bearings, dampers, suspension joints and even brake run-out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Posted October 17, 2002 Author Share Posted October 17, 2002 Cheers John P. Not being a race car engineer what is brake run out please? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Need4Speed Posted October 17, 2002 Share Posted October 17, 2002 Discs that are not straight. ie. when the disc rotates it moves from side to side. This can cause vibration and will be most obvious when braking. It feels like the road is covered with a series of bumps, like those yellow stripes you get before some round-abouts. The most common cause of vibration is wheel balance. Even 5g out will have a big effect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terminator Posted October 17, 2002 Share Posted October 17, 2002 Justin I can help you check run out if you like, won't take long just have to take the wheels off, however it does not sound like it to me. We could check other bits and pieces as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Need4Speed Posted October 17, 2002 Share Posted October 17, 2002 I reckon wheel balance or wheel bearings, but balance is the most likely. Disc run-out is a long shot. It won't be alignment unless it's way out in which case the handling will be weird. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Posted October 17, 2002 Author Share Posted October 17, 2002 Thanks guys. I better cancel my wheel balancing appt. on Monday then. Should save me a few quid that I can spend on wheel bearing, disks or balancing weights. Feels like a vertical vibration, not a horizontal one. Phil, I feel a visit to you coming on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terminator Posted October 17, 2002 Share Posted October 17, 2002 Just let me know, next week some time would be OK, following week just too busy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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