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[berserkerboy]

There is no WIM near enough for me SA19 8LS to visit. I've recently done a wishbone and drop link change and my tracking needs looking at. Local ATS have the equipment to do 4 wheel alignment. If I take it to them what settings should I ask them to do with the car unloaded?

The guy there said he would have to see if the rear was adjustable as he had never done one. Will it be obvious to him how to do it?

[tunnie]

Very. Supply WIM settings, details are around here somewhere.

But I'd look for a specialist if you can, ATS are just good for tyres in my experience, as you want a full geometry setup, not just tracking

[biggriffin]

 tracking 0' parallel
Front camber 1'20 or less
Rear camber 1'30-1'20
Thrust angle 0'

[chrisgixer]

Rear is adjustable by rear track rods for camber and toe combined. It is a compromise, but should also give a zero thrust angle. Not sure he'll get that correct with just four wheel alignment. (Thrust angle means the rear axle is pushing the car dead ahead. If it's not right the car will crab, and the steering wheel will never be straight/level even if the front figures are correct)
Toe is -0,10 combined, so 0.05 per side, +/-0.05. A parallel setting on oe bushes is not ideal as it can allow toe out under breaking leading to instability.

Target camber is -1.10 for a standard car. -1.15 for sports suspension IF the evident tyre wear warrants it. Sorry but -1.20 is too much under any condition.

Castor is not adjustable, officially. BUT the correct angle can be achieved by moving subframe first. Then camber, then toe last.

While four wheel alignment may not be idea, it's probably better than nothing. Given the work done, provided he's accurate with the figures.

[chrisgixer]

Also get some penetrating oil on the front and rear track rod adjustors, as they do have a habit of seizing.

[TheBoy]

4 wheel alignment is no good, as you can't set the rear toe with it, or any of the cambers and casters.

Find somewhere with a proper geometry machine, and provide the specs to them.

[VXL V6]

tracking 0' parallel
Front camber 1'20 or less
Rear camber 1'30-1'20
Thrust angle 0'

that should be a minus figure not a positive figure.

[chrisgixer]

4 wheel alignment is no good, as you can't set the rear toe with it, or any of the cambers and casters.

Find somewhere with a proper geometry machine, and provide the specs to them.

A terminology thing perhaps? Web site suggests they can...?

http://www.atseuromaster.co.uk/wheel-alignment
Click the information tab

[EMD]

Be really handy if Ats can do it , one 5 minutes away from
us coofer's 

[chrisgixer]

Be really handy if Ats can do it , one 5 minutes away from
us coofer's 

Check which centre provides what service.

[TheBoy]

4 wheel alignment is no good, as you can't set the rear toe with it, or any of the cambers and casters.

Find somewhere with a proper geometry machine, and provide the specs to them.

A terminology thing perhaps? Web site suggests they can...?

http://www.atseuromaster.co.uk/wheel-alignment
Click the information tab

The image at top of that page looks to be bog standard 4 wheel alignment/4 wheel laser alignment.  I wonder if that is what most of their centre's offer?

Obviously, maybe their bigger centres have better equipment, as the text implies (but doesn't specifically state). Certainly the local ATS here, and the one near work lack anything other than the 4 wheel laser stuff, which as we know is as much use as a use condom smeared in dogshit on an Omega.


As an aside, as a corporate website is purely for advertising capability, you'd expect them to show their better equipment in their online images

[TheBoy]

4 wheel alignment is no good, as you can't set the rear toe with it, or any of the cambers and casters.

Find somewhere with a proper geometry machine, and provide the specs to them.

A terminology thing perhaps? Web site suggests they can...?

http://www.atseuromaster.co.uk/wheel-alignment
Click the information tab

4 wheel alignment is a standard term for setting front toe, using the rear as a guide (yet no practical way to see if rears are correct to start with).

If you go to the "Buy" option on ATS' site, implication is you can have bog standard tracking (front axle) or 4 wheel alignment (front and rear). Even if their kit can measure camber with internal sensors on the wheel gear, it doesn't look to be a full geometry check that we know the Omega needs...  ...we both know the criticality of getting the rear toe (thrust angle) bang on 0'00 on an Omega.

[TheBoy]

Be really handy if Ats can do it , one 5 minutes away from
us coofer's 

Try some of the independents, certainly the place near the A5/A43 roundabout in Towcester has the right gear (but not used, so no idea if they have the skill).

Chesham isn't that far away in reality.  Yes, it costs more than 99p, but they understand what the settings do, and the impacts or each adjustment.  Fleet in Loughborough is recommended by Marks DTM Calib, though I've never used them.

Having been through hell and back in the early days of Omega ownership to get the bugger to handle correctly, and not to chew tyres constantly, believe me, using a set of mongrels who don't understand what they are doing (but just follow instructions, without understanding) is a complete waste of money, and tyres.

[chrisgixer]

4 wheel alignment is no good, as you can't set the rear toe with it, or any of the cambers and casters.

Find somewhere with a proper geometry machine, and provide the specs to them.

A terminology thing perhaps? Web site suggests they can...?

http://www.atseuromaster.co.uk/wheel-alignment
Click the information tab

4 wheel alignment is a standard term for setting front toe, using the rear as a guide (yet no practical way to see if rears are correct to start with).

If you go to the "Buy" option on ATS' site, implication is you can have bog standard tracking (front axle) or 4 wheel alignment (front and rear). Even if their kit can measure camber with internal sensors on the wheel gear, it doesn't look to be a full geometry check that we know the Omega needs...  ...we both know the criticality of getting the rear toe (thrust angle) bang on 0'00 on an Omega.

Christ your an argumentative bugger. I'm agreeing with you ffs

Point is, as you confirm, it's not exactly clear.... Is it? And the op will need to bare this in mind.

[TheBoy]

Christ your an argumentative bugger. I'm agreeing with you ffs

Point is, as you confirm, it's not exactly clear.... Is it? And the op will need to bare this in mind.

Oh no I'm not

Nah, seriously, just trying to ensure OP was aware of the difference, and not to throw hard earned pennies down the shitter.  Its all too easy to be lead to believe these companies can do more than they can, if you're not aware of the difference, as you know .  And unless you've seen proper geometry machines, you probably would believe a set of lasers fired off the bits hanging off the wheels is the complete solution, when we know its not