Wheel alignment - dealer only?

[JaseB]

Bit of a numpty question maybe but are Astons best set up by Aston or are the more regular alignment shops ok at it?

We have too many speed bumps in the village!!

If anyone has a recommendation in or around Oxford I'd be most interested to hear about it.

Many thanks.

Jason

[Steve jm]

This one has come up before, the steering angle needs to be set by a dealer or aston specialist.

[Neil1300R]

Only ever get mine setup by TDI in Thurrock. Bit of a trip for you (and me from Surrey) but they have developed their own setup for Aston's which is a vast improvement on the setup from a dealer.
when I bought mine, I asked for them to sort out tracking as it was pulling to the left on the test drive. Basically got told they all do that Sir!
TDI setup vastly more stable at speed, allows you to get on the pwer earlier out of corners.

[mikey k]

Only thing the dealer MAY be needed for is to reset the steering wheel position sensor IF the people doing the geo did not lock it in the right place.
Any half decent place ought to be able to sort that out
These guys have a good reputation and are close to you.

http://www.wheelsinmotion-online.co.uk/index.html

[LordBretSinclair]

My geo needed doing (excessive wearing on inside of tyres) and this was done whilst the car was in for a service. However the dealer didn't do it themselves but farmed it out to local specialists (and no doubt put a big mark up on the price). Unless the car needs to go the dealer for something else I would go direct to a specialist.

[JaseB]

Thanks for the input, I now have a plan!

[mikey k]

Which is

[JaseB]

Well it wasn't a very good one, a company I use have all the gear and gave it a good once over but ultimately aren't an Aston specialist which is where I need to go now.

They did confirm there's nothing much wrong but there's something niggly about the straight ahead/tramlining which I'm now not sure isn't it my head!

Will get it looked at when I have it serviced

[mikey k]

JaseB said:

They did confirm there's nothing much wrong but there's something niggly about the straight ahead/tramlining which I'm now not sure isn't it my head!

Front toe or castor is probably out.

[yeti]

Rick did mine to his own settings, transformed the car.

I think we're going to have a lot of such posts in the near future, all a bit lost!

[JaseB]

I'm hoping Bamford Rose will come up trumps...

Sent them an email asking about this and a service and told them not to let me get any silly ideas while I'm there.

[yeti]

JaseB said:

I'm hoping Bamford Rose will come up trumps...

Sent them an email asking about this and a service and told them not to let me get any silly ideas while I'm there.

Yep, pretty sure they'll have a great set up judging by the way Ben's Vantage drives!

[Neil1300R]

Neil1300R said:

Only ever get mine setup by TDI in Thurrock. Bit of a trip for you (and me from Surrey) but they have developed their own setup for Aston's which is a vast improvement on the setup from a dealer.
when I bought mine, I asked for them to sort out tracking as it was pulling to the left on the test drive. Basically got told they all do that Sir!
TDI setup vastly more stable at speed, allows you to get on the power earlier out of corners.

Still the best place in the South East.

[JaseB]

Yeh, I'm sure you're right but the thought of a 200 mile round trip, half of it on the M25 is putting me off...

That and the BR lot can do a service while they have the car, saves me trolling all over the country! They're only 35 or so miles from home.

If it's still not to my satisfaction I'll be hitting the road again though.

[magnus73]

Also worth considering is Chiltern Aston,in hertfordshire they are fully equipped with the latest alignment equipment,also they charge specialist rates,not main dealer rates !

M

[mikey k]

Try these two for just geo work, both very well thought of in several owners clubs and race teams.

http://www.centergravity.co.uk/

http://www.wheels-inmotion.co.uk/

[yeti]

mikey k said:

Try these two for just geo work, both very well thought of in several owners clubs and race teams.

http://www.centergravity.co.uk/

Centergravity are VERY Porsche biased! Not sure they have any experience with an Aston. If you aren't near any of the recommended ones, see your main dealer; their mark up on top will be less than the petrol!

[mikey k]

yeti said:

mikey k said:

Try these two for just geo work, both very well thought of in several owners clubs and race teams.

http://www.centergravity.co.uk/

Centergravity are VERY Porsche biased! Not sure they have any experience with an Aston. If you aren't near any of the recommended ones, see your main dealer; their mark up on top will be less than the petrol!

I've know Chris since he set the business up.
He is a dab hand at Honda S2000's having done them since day one, his background is racing porsches.
Have a look at his testimonials, far from just Porsche. He has done VH based Astons.
The thing I like about the way he works is he asks you questions about how you drive and how you would like the car to feel. He then sets it up to deliver what you want!
Not the cheapest but worth the money IME. A true artist at his trade.

http://www.centergravity.co.uk/testimonials.cfm?pa...

[v8vpaul]

yeti said:

JaseB said:

I'm hoping Bamford Rose will come up trumps...

Sent them an email asking about this and a service and told them not to let me get any silly ideas while I'm there.

Yep, pretty sure they'll have a great set up judging by the way Ben's Vantage drives!

Hi

Did you ever check out bamford rose Jaseb or did somebody else sort your steering issue

Interested to hear how or who resolved your problem

Paul

[JaseB]

Yep, BR had it done on Friday, it's definitely 100% better but I need to get some more miles on it to make sure I'm completely happy, I spent too much of the weekend either full of cold or booze to actually get out in the car!