Anyone know the best place to get this done? I'm in Edinburgh but am happy to travel and hour or so if nec.

My Impreza is fine but my S4 is wearing the outside of the front tyres badly.

Thanks

 

I used a place in Sighthill industrial estate
CLCM they were called.
0131 458 5559

Cant remember how much it was, but it wasn't mega dear.

 

Thanks Johnny. I presume that you were happy with the service? Also 4WD cars need 4 wheel alignment don't they?

 

Yep, i was happy with them.
It's just a small place, but they guy was good, told me if i wasn't happy with the car, i could take it back and he'd make a few changes for free.
He'll also put in your own custom settings if you wish.

Unsure about wether all 4WD cars need 4 wheel alignment though...i aint that clued up.

 

The camber, castor, toe-in or toe-out settings are important on any car and all 4-wheel alignment does (AFAIK) is make sure the rears are parallel with the front.

It's probably best to get 4-wheel alignment on any car regardless of AWD, FWD or RWD.

Stefan

 

I was going to try the place that John recommended in Dunfermline, but that was to get some new damper/springs fitted and the geo done at the same time. Since I might be trading my car in anyway and it's getting serviced @ Nobles next Wednesday, I've booked my car in at CLCM on the way back from Nobles.

My car's handling like a bag of sh!te and the tyres are worn on the insides. I'll see just how far out it is before having them change the settings.

Will let you all know how I get on.

Stefan

 

I've used CLCM for 4 or 5 cars now and have always been happy with the results. He prints out a before and after sheet so you can see for yourself what's been fixed. He used to do all the work for Glenvargil, and still does most of the work for the dealerships in Sighthill so he's no cowboy.
The place is about 100 yards up from Pentland components, so you can even stock up with NF while you're waiting for it to get done !

HTH

Dave

 

Bloke sounded nice and friendly on the phone, so I'm sure I'll be looked after. If not, I'm blaming you and Johnny50

Stefan

 

Stefan...
We're easy to find if you want to blame us mate..

We're the ones sitting at the side of the road with the 4 wheels pointing the wrong way due to the crap alignment..

 

Used CLCM also the guys pretty clued up

 

Well just fitted my Prodrive Springs so need to get mine checked and adjusted now, Will give these guys a phone tomorrow.
Had heard good things about Progrip in Falkirk area as well.
Spooks

 

as asked in Suspension, anyone have the geometry settings for Prodrive/fast road (need front and rear Camber and toe....is castor adjustable on em???) for a new age rex
Phoned CLCM and they gave a reasonable quote (had hoped for a bit less but what ya gonna do lol) but need the exact settings.
Spooks

 

Spooks,

Sorry if this info is too late but as you mentioned, Progrip in Bonnybridge just past Falkirk do a good job in my opinion. Got my 4wd allignment done their a few Months back and was happy with the work.

Tel 01324 810111

Cheers Techno

 

spooks Star per in glenrothes can do prodrive settings for u they did my car last month .
simon higgins

 

Just the job Guys I'm looking to check out alignment too.( Just got new wheels and boots.)

And more NF.

Cheers Johnny/Dave.

Steve

 

Steve ...group buy on alignment???
Spooks

 

Spooks

The Prodrive geometry is already dialed into your WRX

Settings:

Front camber = max-equal negative
Rear camber = Max-equal negative
Front toe-in = 1mm
Rear toe-in = non-adjustable

 

Spooks, Xtreme (Swifts) in Whitburn also have the pukka gear as well mate. Worth giving John or George a call. Sorry don't have the number handy.

 

Hi folks,

Just got back from CLCM in Sighthill. Very small premises, but a really nice bloke who spent an hour helping me with some problems. Got the car setup on the rig and found that it was already running close to the Prodrive settings (which explains the excess wear on my inner front tyres).

Still not convinced that geometry will transform the car, unless it's WAY out or you alter it for specific driving style on track. In every day driving and even fast roads, the adjustments are so small I can't see how it will radically alter the car. Anyway, I'm open-minded so the proof will be in how the car handles and if I notice any difference. , although some driving lessons would probably make the most difference to anyone's driving

Biggest bonus for me was the horrible wobble through the steering column. I've been to numerous local garages who supposedly balanced the wheels, only to be told today that my wheels were 40g and 50g out. Having been told this only last week, I was a bit sceptical but on the drive back to work along the M8 the wobble was completely gone.

Cost me £47 all-in, which is pretty reasonable for a full hours work

He only takes bookings, so don't expect to just pop along and have any work done. The poor guy's flat out as it is.

Can't understand why certain places charge well over £100 for a geometry setup unless your paying for their expensive equipment If you find settings you like, get them copied down and just go along to a locally recommended garage to set them (as hopefully their equipment will be calibrated and they know how to use it).

Stefan

 

Good to hear you were happy with them, as you say, the guy is flat out, and it's very small premises..possibly also a reason why he doesn't charge over the odds...

 

I have the bumpsteer modification and run,

Front camber = max-equal negative (-1.0)
Rear camber = Max-equal negative (-1.0)
Front toe-in = 0mm
Rear toe-in = 0mm (can be adjusted with camber bolts)

I noticed the difference immediately, with better feel on turn in and superior high speed stability.

 

He's been their for 20 years too (hopefully not all at the same pace). Maybe that's why he looks 50+, but is actually 30

 

I have a print out of my settings, but they're all in deg/minutes which I don't understand I'll scan them in tonight and post them up for anyone interested.

Front Toe was set to -1.0mm, but this has been set to 0. There's a bit of toe on the rear (I'll need to work out what it is in mm).

Stefan

 

Well, the feckin wobbles back and the car feels like it's pulling to the left.

I don't know WTF is going on with it Starting to suspect some smart @rse is nicking the lead weights of my alloys

Anyone have a set of 17" alloys they could lend me for a day to test? Starting to grasp at straws with this one

Stefan

 

Well day 2 after the geo and balancing and the wobble is there, but it comes and goes even at the same speed. On the drive back from CLCM I couldn't get ot to happen, but last night it was between 60-70 only. Today it was 65-70 and on the way home tonight I couldn't get it to do it at all.

Don't think it's my imagination as I'm talking my hands off the steering wheel completely and can visibly see it wobble (only slightly now). Maybe it's just my Ninja-like senses so I'll get my Brother to give it a drive and see if he picks it up.

Also, the cruising seems to be much better with the new geo settings. Could be a plecebo effect, but I'm sure it has made a good difference and the car feels much less woolly when cruising along and the turn-in appears to be much nicer, with a good reduction in understeer. Can feel the back end working a bit more, which maybe the extra camber on the rear and less toe-in on the front.

Stefan

 

It couldnt be anything like a driveshaft or propshaft could it ?

 

Don't kow to be honest. If it was something major I'd expect to have the problem all the time, but the car drives perfectly. I don't feel anything unusual when driving the car except the little annoying wobble at certain speeds. Since fitting the front solid drop links I do feel more road vibrations through the steering, but the wobble can be felt through the seat and under my feet very slightly.

The chap at CLCM did say there was a little play in the wheels around the steering rack (this was with all wheels off the ground), but he said under load it wouldn't be significant to cause a problem.

It's screaming wheel balance, so until I can try some other alloys and tyres I can't rule out the obvious.

Stefan

 

i presume also that a wheel re-balance didn't sort the problem ?

Buckled wheel ?

 

Dodgy tyres ?

 

Yes, I though about that Russell. When I had the wheels balanced a few weeks ago the guy mentioned that he could see a wobble on the tyre itself. I thought Eureka and swapped the fronts and rears around.

The vibration was much less, but just shifted to a slightly different speed range. When I had the guy at CLCM balance them we both watched the tyres and could see anything wrong with them, other than the fact that they are worn more on the insides.

As I say, the most obvious source is the wheels or tyres. Until I can try different ones, I doubt I'll find an easy answer. It's certainly a lot easier than trying to look at the suspension, steering rack, etc..

Stefan