Wheel alignment - where to go?

[MrNick]

I need to get my wheel alignment checked/fixed after getting the VW lowering springs fitted. Any recommendations on where to go (even better if in the Manchester/Cheshire area)?

I've read that Hunter laser alignment is good, which is offered by my local Kwik Fit - but I've read that as good as the Hunter system is, its still dependent on the skill of the operator (so you want somebody who'll do a decent job). ATS, National and Halfords also do it, not Hunter I don't think, not sure how good that would compare?

Any recommendations would be super helpful

 

[CampervanTime]

I'm glad you've asked this question as I assumed that when VW fit the lowering springs for £400 that they'd also do a tracking alignment too? Clearly not!

 

[MrNick]

They said they'd do "a basic check" which didn't fill me with confidence!

 

[jts46]

Local tyre company?

 

[motacyclist]

The MOT centre near Capenhurst did mine, if it’s not too far from you as you are in Cheshire. They lend you a car while its being done.

 

[Jay20cali]

I need to get my wheel alignment checked/fixed after getting the VW lowering springs fitted. Any recommendations on where to go (even better if in the Manchester/Cheshire area)?

I've read that Hunter laser alignment is good, which is offered by my local Kwik Fit - but I've read that as good as the Hunter system is, its still dependent on the skill of the operator (so you want somebody who'll do a decent job). ATS, National and Halfords also do it, not Hunter I don't think, not sure how good that would compare?

Any recommendations would be super helpful

Try dave Sheldons Manchester
They do it.

 

[AlanC]

I've always use the local KwikFit. I had it done originally back in 2015 and after having new tyres fitted last week had the tracking checked again. The printout was all green so still OK, nothing had slipped.

Alan

 

[Jay20cali]

I'm glad you've asked this question as I assumed that when VW fit the lowering springs for £400 that they'd also do a tracking alignment too? Clearly not!

Mine was done at the same time.
By vw!

 

[Volkywagen]

Mine was done at the same time.
By vw!

Same here....apparently.
They managed to smash off the headlight balancing arm on the rear axle in the process of lowering it though.
Pinch of salt

 

[Jay20cali]

Bloody hell there’s a headlight balancing arm on the rear axle really???
that’s one place I wouldn’t expect there to be anything to do with the headlights????
that’s nuts!
Ohhh these cali’s Are getting far too complicated for my liking

 

[MrNick]

So in the end I went to Blink Motorsport as I was sort-of passing anyway - https://www.blinkmotorsport.com/?page_id=135 - who have a full Hunter laser alignment setup... and it turns out no adjustments were required, everything on the printed report was green. So bit of a wasted trip, but only cost £30 and now I know everything is aligned

 

[Ocean Spirit]

better safe than sorry of course but if only VW dealers could generate more confidence that it's not necessary. Wouldn't that be a good thing!!

 

[California7]

I suppose it would be a bit worrying if the alignment was badly affected by lowering the cali 30mm. Being a commecial platform you would hope VW would have designed it so that the alignment remains good at both low and high payloads (ride heights) - as far as the geometry is concerned, having shorter springs is the same as carrying a heavy load - unless I'm missing something?

 

[Properjob]

Big recommendation for WheelsInMotion/ Blackboots in Chesham who are specialists in geometry, alignment etc. with backgrounds in motorsport and high-end cars.

Like other good places they use a Hunter Hawkeye system, which I gather is what VW recommend. I tried other places first but didn’t get confidence that they knew their stuff as I was told conflicting things about what adjustment would be possible. I then found loads of recommendations on line and on the T6forum which pointed to a WheelsInMotion forum they have too. To top it all off they also fixed yet another rodent gnawed cable for one of my sensors. So they totally get my recommendation!

 

[scooter]

When I had mine lowered I tried to get the alignment done at one of those auto Kwick fit type places and because I had also changed my alloys they wouldn't do it evidently they just go by chassis number but when I went back to the dealer who fitted the springs they said it would have been done when they fitted the springs
It seems to drive okay so I guess I'll just have to see how the tyres wear