Alignment - get it done!

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Discussion

hornetrider

Original Poster:

63,161 posts

212 months

Monday 28th January 2008
quotequote all
Jaysus!

I had some excessive play in my OSF wheel which was picked up and repaired at MOT a couple of weeks ago. Mr MOT man said to get my alignment done sooner rather than later.

As the 5 is so adjustable I set about getting some info and finding a "proper" place to get 4 wheel adjustment.

Wheels-in-motion appears to be the place of choice and Tony certainly knows his stuff according to the posts I've read on the OCForum and his own forum. Alas he is too far away from me so after seeing him recommend Powerstation in Tewkesbury I decided to go there.

Prior to the job handling wise, I felt the car struggled a bit with understeer on right hand corners and was a bit vague/pulled to the right at the straight ahead position. I had attributed the former to my recently acquired Toyos and the extra grip they afforded the rear, perhaps they were making it more difficult to induce oversteer?

Anyway, the car was on the rig for over an hour and a half and Curtis did a great friendly professional job. Walked me through the process, explaining what he was adjusting and why, going through the screens on the computer explaining what was happening.

The transformation in the handling (which I thought was pretty decent anyway) is simply unbelievable. I asked for a fast road setting and I've got to say the car feels alive and poised going into corners now. The understeer has gone completely, it now feels so responsive!

I've read in the past just how important alignment is to the 5 - only now do I realise it. Best 80 quid I've spent on the car.... get it done people!

MX-5 Lazza

7,954 posts

226 months

Monday 28th January 2008
quotequote all
Another convert biggrin

It amazes me how many people drive these great little cars around complaining that they don't really handle as well as they thought they would and that their mates fiesta is just as good but they've never had a full alignment done!

Wigeon Incognito

3,274 posts

225 months

Monday 28th January 2008
quotequote all
Is Wheels in Motion franchised yet?

If not, can anybody recommend a place in the North West to get my alignment done? Both of my cars could do with a visit.

lord summerisle

8,148 posts

232 months

Monday 28th January 2008
quotequote all
off the top of my head you could give Blink Motorsport a ring/email - they are next to Oulton Park, but Richard can be a bit of a yeti.

then theres Dury Lane(sp?) in Oldham
and i had my alignment done by a porsche specialist in Edenfield
Loe Bank Motors
Unit 6 Bridge Mills, Rochdale Rd, Edenfield, Bury, Lancashire BL0 0RE
Tel: 01706 826060

MX-5 Lazza

7,954 posts

226 months

Monday 28th January 2008
quotequote all
Wigeon Incognito said:
...can anybody recommend a place in the North West to get my alignment done?
You could ask that question on the WIM forum...

Wigeon Incognito

3,274 posts

225 months

Monday 28th January 2008
quotequote all
Thanks for the recommendations.

lord summerisle said:
Loe Bank Motors
Unit 6 Bridge Mills, Rochdale Rd, Edenfield, Bury, Lancashire BL0 0RE
Tel: 01706 826060
It's interesting that this one has cropped up, I've been recommended Loe Bank on three separate occasions already today but for work on my Porsche! I'd not even heard of them this morning!

In fact, pretty much everything I want car wise seems to be in Bury at the moment!


lord summerisle

8,148 posts

232 months

Monday 28th January 2008
quotequote all
just be careful when you take your car up there - the road past the garage is closed at certain times in the day (about 10am-12pm i think) for the wind turbine deliveries to pass through Edenfield

Kinky

39,800 posts

276 months

Monday 28th January 2008
quotequote all
Could anyone recommend anyone down in the SAS patch (Thames Valley/Surrey) that could provide similiar?

K

BenjC

677 posts

255 months

Monday 28th January 2008
quotequote all
Rotechniks always did mine. (just of junction 11 M4)

http://www.rotechniks.co.uk/

I liked Lanny's settings: http://www.hummingbirds.net/alignment.html



MrV

2,748 posts

235 months

Monday 28th January 2008
quotequote all
Kinky said:
Could anyone recommend anyone down in the SAS patch (Thames Valley/Surrey) that could provide similiar?

K
Their not far Mark

Address
WIM @ Kipling
Redbourn Road
Hemel Hempstead
Hertfordshire
HP2 7AZ

Telephone
0794 842 7383

willd58

1,559 posts

215 months

Friday 1st February 2008
quotequote all
hornetrider said:
Powerstation in Tewkesbury
So you would recommend I take my 5 there and get it done?

hornetrider

Original Poster:

63,161 posts

212 months

Friday 1st February 2008
quotequote all
willd58 said:
hornetrider said:
Powerstation in Tewkesbury
So you would recommend I take my 5 there and get it done?
Without hesitation. Any questions, just ask.

A2Z

1,080 posts

233 months

Friday 1st February 2008
quotequote all
Wigeon Incognito said:
Thanks for the recommendations.

lord summerisle said:
Loe Bank Motors
Unit 6 Bridge Mills, Rochdale Rd, Edenfield, Bury, Lancashire BL0 0RE
Tel: 01706 826060
It's interesting that this one has cropped up, I've been recommended Loe Bank on three separate occasions already today but for work on my Porsche! I'd not even heard of them this morning!

In fact, pretty much everything I want car wise seems to be in Bury at the moment!
How long will something like this take? I don't mind kicking my heels for and hour or two in Bury, but if it's a most of the day job, does anyone know of a place in Merseyside / West Lancs.?


Edited by A2Z on Friday 1st February 14:04

hornetrider

Original Poster:

63,161 posts

212 months

Friday 1st February 2008
quotequote all
A2Z said:
How long will something like this take?
Mine took an hour and a half, but my settings were quite a way out and it took a fair amount of adjustment.

willd58

1,559 posts

215 months

Tuesday 5th February 2008
quotequote all
hornetrider said:
willd58 said:
hornetrider said:
Powerstation in Tewkesbury
So you would recommend I take my 5 there and get it done?
Without hesitation. Any questions, just ask.
Did you have to book in advance, if so how long is the wait?

hornetrider

Original Poster:

63,161 posts

212 months

Tuesday 5th February 2008
quotequote all
Well, all I can say is I rang them on a Tuesday and booked it in for Saturday morning. Google them and give them a call.

Legend83

10,161 posts

229 months

Friday 29th February 2008
quotequote all
MrV said:
Kinky said:
Could anyone recommend anyone down in the SAS patch (Thames Valley/Surrey) that could provide similiar?

K
Their not far Mark

Address
WIM @ Kipling
Redbourn Road
Hemel Hempstead
Hertfordshire
HP2 7AZ

Telephone
0794 842 7383
FYI - just rang them - he is moving to a new facility in Chesham, opening in 2-3 weeks. I am definitely getting booked in as soon as they have a slot, my car is all over the place going in a straight line!

DennisTheMenace

15,605 posts

275 months

Friday 29th February 2008
quotequote all
Found this place on another site http://www.alignmycar.co.uk/

Ab Shocks

1,686 posts

227 months

Tuesday 4th March 2008
quotequote all
Yep
I checked 20 cars at MX-5 Mad's open day and didn't find one car that was even close to correct.
I would recomend Tony at WIM without hesitation and the NW guys could try Paul Sheard in Congleton. If you go to a non-MX-5 alignment shop I would make sure they don't use generic settings from their machines because there are better ones about.

BTW, be very careful which settings you use because it may vary depending on suspension kits, whether you have non-standard ARB's (sway bars) or any other stiffeners and people like Lanny may have a completely different set-up to you.

Edited by Ab Shocks on Tuesday 4th March 18:54