Tyres and alignment

Zep

Moderator
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9,110
Just had new tyres fitted and full alignment and corner weighting at Northampton Motorsport using their hunter machine (£210 inc VAT for 2.5 hours - bargain)

The alignment has made a big difference but what shocked me was the start of the Pirelli tyres when they came off. The inside shoulder on the rear had a crack all the way round the shoulder on the inside edge and the one front had an egg in the sidewall which showed internal damage when off the rim. If you are running these tyres I'd suggest you keep and eye on them!

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allandwf

Member
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10,958
EEEeeek! First job when I get back will be to check mine. Thanks for heads up, glad you caught them in time.
 

outrun

Member
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5,017
Zep, i had a Pirelli P Zero blow up spectacularly on the M6. The sidewall is softer on these and so the recommendation is to use 2-3 PSI more pressure than other brands. Potholes and the like can cause the egg symptoms.

For me, I won't buy again unless I had no other choice.
 

Zep

Moderator
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9,110
It's the real deal, front and rear camber castor and toe. All of my bolts were free though so if yours are seized then it might take a bit longer, but not much I would imagine. Yes Allan, I knew they weren't great!
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Needamaser

Member
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1,491
Just phoned Kwik-Fit.
They can do all 4 wheels full geometry for approx. £60.
They have the Hunter machines in most depots now.
 

Zep

Moderator
Messages
9,110
Just phoned Kwik-Fit.
They can do all 4 wheels full geometry for approx. £60.
They have the Hunter machines in most depots now.

If you tell them you need to shim all of the joints you might find they change their mind...


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Zep

Moderator
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9,110
Zep, i had a Pirelli P Zero blow up spectacularly on the M6. The sidewall is softer on these and so the recommendation is to use 2-3 PSI more pressure than other brands. Potholes and the like can cause the egg symptoms.

For me, I won't buy again unless I had no other choice.

Looks like I had a narrow escape. I am with you, no more Pirelli for me. I went for Michelin pilot super sports, I've always had good experiences with them...


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MAF260

Member
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7,662
Just phoned Kwik-Fit.
They can do all 4 wheels full geometry for approx. £60.
They have the Hunter machines in most depots now.

Please do not ever take your car there. They may have the machines, but the skill in using them correctly in relation to your car is what makes the difference. £60 will never get your car sorted - I use a local place to me which is famous for suspension setting up (Wheels in Motion) and they typically charge me £180-£200 depending on shims required and time to undo any bolts.
 

CatmanV2

Member
Messages
48,547
They will do *tracking* and alignment, not caster and camber. My local F1 are actually pretty good and rather like it when I watch over their shoulder all the time :)

They are happy to not be doing the full geometry though.

Sadly they drew the line at fitting the X-box so I went to Mr Tom's

C
 

Gp79

Member
Messages
1,393
Just phoned Kwik-Fit.
They can do all 4 wheels full geometry for approx. £60.
They have the Hunter machines in most depots now.

I would not take a wheel barrow to quick fit.

There are plenty of on-line reviews to back this up.
 

Trev Latter

Member
Messages
1,213
Going back some years I took a Laguna to Kwik Fit for four new tyres. Gave their fitter the heads up about tyre pressure sensors fitted on that model and to be careful taking the tyres off and went for a wander. Came back later to see car in the workshop jacked up on two trolley jacks with all four wheels off wobbling around like I don't know what. Complained to guy on desk who, to be fair, very quickly gave spotty youth a few facts of life. Came back and explained that they had to fit a new pressure sensor as they'd broken one taking the tyre off and that it would have to go to Renault to be reset/programmed. They paid the bill from Renault, but from that point on, I wouldn't trust them to fit tyres, let alone make sure they're pointed in the right direction.

For four wheel alignment, I think I would entrust mine to Grimaldi being my local indie. I know he doesn't do the job himself, but at least the guys he uses understand the car. Decent places are a bit thin on the ground around East Anglia.
 

SteveM

Member
Messages
540
Had mine set up through Emblem today after fitting new arms, tie rods and track rod arms and I can say it has transformed the cars handling - evrything was out. Car feels absolutely planted now through the corners. I would now only ever recomend Hunter 4 wheel alignment and going through an indie they have all the right camber shims available.
 

Contigo

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18,376
Thing is the camber adjustment on these cars is a joke, some metal shins on the wishbones !!!! A real money maker and the hard and time consuming part is getting the bolts off on the upper wishbones. Ridiculous!
 

Contigo

Sponsor
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18,376
Had mine set up through Emblem today after fitting new arms, tie rods and track rod arms and I can say it has transformed the cars handling - evrything was out. Car feels absolutely planted now through the corners. I would now only ever recomend Hunter 4 wheel alignment and going through an indie they have all the right camber shims available.

:)
 

Felonious Crud

Administrator
Staff member
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21,013
For four wheel alignment, I think I would entrust mine to Grimaldi being my local indie. I know he doesn't do the job himself, but at least the guys he uses understand the car. Decent places are a bit thin on the ground around East Anglia.

Trev - I was over at Grimaldi today and having this discussion with Rob. He does now have a Hunter machine because he got fed up driving the cars to be done elsewhere and then having to take them back to be done properly. Said he'd like to be getting more use out of it. :smile: