KDSII wheel alignments and everything else

[Gullible]

I didn`t realise that the KDS wheel alignment check was a much unheard of system.
This system loads the car to the correct ride height and then adjusts it to factory settings for the country you are in.
This is very accurate and involves weighting the car down then mounting wheel plates
Here is a little background on it.
Hunter has designed the KDS wheel alignment systems to include DSP600 Digital Imaging Wheel Alignment Sensors* (KDS II system) or DSP508 Conventional Wheel Alignment Sensors (KDS I system) and Series 811 Alignment Consoles. A customised version of Hunter's WinAlign® alignment software* has been designed to meet the specifications of all BMW Group vehicles, including those equipped with single-joint, spring-loaded front axles and multi-link rear axles with spherical kinematics.

Hunter DSP600 digital imaging alignment sensors use multi-dimensional modeling to provide accurate alignment measurements. High-resolution digital cameras* continuously measure wheel target* position and orientation thus providing the same alignment measurements as conventional sensors.

At the moment my car has a bit of uneven wear and occasionally i get that side-wind swept feeling on a calm day.
This all relates to poor alignment i believe?
I will get a KDSII and let you know how it feels afterwards.

P.S I am no expert but this is the system that i was advised is the very best for our cars.

 

[conaero]

Got you PM thanks, let me know if you find a local garage with the system.

 

[Torenno Performance]

http://www.alignmycar.co.uk

Have a look there, thats where i found my local garage with a Hunter machine.

 

[conaero]

Nice one Noor, found one in the town, result!

 

[Torenno Performance]

Your welcome, might be worth making the link a sticky?

 

[cowsurgeon]

Forgive me for being thick, but is this the same as suspension geometry?

 

[conaero]

Yes Chris. I am off to have 4 new tyres fitted in a mo, then off up to Denmead to have the 4 wheel Hunter alignment/geometry done.

Ill let you know how I get on.

 

[cowsurgeon]

Brill - I've found one locally too and took delivery of my Falken 452s last Friday - will get them put on and the geometry done at the same time. I know I need to get some shims to take along, but how many and what thickness should I get?

 

[conaero]

Ill let you know you can have mine if you need them and I dont use them, I have 4 of each size.

 

[cowsurgeon]

That'd be very kind - thank you - let me know how much they cost. Am I right in thinking in mass produced cars the suspension is adjusted by turning a bolt a couple of threads, and that adding shims is a fairly old fashioned way of doing it?

 

[Gullible]

Hi Guys,
well done,let me know how different the cars feel when you have it done and ask them what ride height was obtained when set.
regards
adam

 

[conaero]

That'd be very kind - thank you - let me know how much they cost. Am I right in thinking in mass produced cars the suspension is adjusted by turning a bolt a couple of threads, and that adding shims is a fairly old fashioned way of doing it?

Well, got it on the machine, the rear is fine the front is in need of camber and caster, not massive, but enough. They did reset the tracking, but would not touch the shims.

My advice, just take it to the main dealer, too much messing around, and I have spend £20 on shims, and £30 for tracking, so I am about a third of the price to have it done at Meridien.

 

[Gullible]

Hi Matt,
Not sure they knew what they were doing?
did they load the car?

 

[conaero]

Dunno, but its best just to take it to somewhere that knows what they are doing.

 

[Gullible]

I agree ..........which is why the "what ride height will you attain" question is paramount...If they look blankly at you its not a KDS operator.

 

[Gullible]

At less than £150 you are not getting a KDSII.

 

[conaero]

I will, its about £165 but it will have to be after Le Mans now. I had new rubber fitted all round today, so that is the best time to do it, otherwise the tyres wear and then you put it on the KDS and it appears normal.....damage already done.

 

[Gullible]

I have enquired at a local garage to me .."KDS ..yes sir we do KDS"..whould you like fries with that sir?".....in essance...they appeared rather unknowledgable..i will keep looking but maybe BMW is the best option.

 

[lozcb]

I will, its about £165 but it will have to be after Le Mans now. I had new rubber fitted all round today, so that is the best time to do it, otherwise the tyres wear and then you put it on the KDS and it appears normal.....damage already done.

Matt if you have time , ive got an old mate in Worthing, owns Discount Tyre Services, i heard last week , he's had his new Hunter installed about 2 months ago , i could ring him to squeeze you in , if your not happy


regards loz

 

[cowsurgeon]

Well, got it on the machine, the rear is fine the front is in need of camber and caster, not massive, but enough. They did reset the tracking, but would not touch the shims.

My advice, just take it to the main dealer, too much messing around, and I have spend £20 on shims, and £30 for tracking, so I am about a third of the price to have it done at Meridien.

Ah, so my worries about the local Tyrespot place doing it are founded - they said they could do the full geometry setup but seemed a bit caught off guard when I mentioned the shims...