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[jonny2112]

I've been told by local tyre dealer that I should be taking the Omega to Vx to have the alignment checked, as he won't touch them any more. Anyone had it done by Vx or indeed any other company?

[tunnie]

had mine tracked and balanced at a Vx dealer in West Drayton.

Can't remember how much it cost, not too bad against regular places i seam to remember.

They did an excellent job, i had weights on the outside of the alloy, the re-balanced them and tracked it. Before i got wheel wobble between 75mph & 80mph

Afterwards nice and smooth right into 3 figures, also tyre ware has been excellent. 15k miles on same set of tyres, + previous owners. Still got 8mm at front!!!   (MOT to prove) and 6mm at the back.

[kjon51]

I've been told by local tyre dealer that I should be taking the Omega to Vx to have the alignment checked, as he won't touch them any more. Anyone had it done by Vx or indeed any other company?

I would tell your local tyre dealer that he's a wayne kerr, & take my Omega somewhere else to buy tyres & have the tracking done!

I've had no problem with the local KwikTit & their laser beam gear, last time mine was done more proper like was at Vx main dealer. Luckily my son has friends in all the right places

Good Luck,
John

[Markjay]

It's nothing to with Vx dealer. Anyone who has the correct 4-wheel alignment kit, and knows what they are doing, can do it - if your Vx dealer happen to be so equipped and has the right skills in house then so be it, but chances are that a specialist will be better at that... I think your local tyre guy preferred to say 'it's a dealer job' rather than admit 'you need to go to someone else who actually knows how to do proper 4-wheel alignment'.

Mine was done by The Man himself, have a look at Tony's website http://wheels-inmotion.co.uk , you can email him to see if he can recommend someone in NI...

  

[Chopsdad]

It's nothing to with Vx dealer. Anyone who has the correct 4-wheel alignment kit, and knows what they are doing, can do it - if your Vx dealer happen to be so equipped and has the right skills in house then so be it, but chances are that a specialist will be better at that... I think your local tyre guy preferred to say 'it's a dealer job' rather than admit 'you need to go to someone else who actually knows how to do proper 4-wheel alignment'.

My was done by The Man himself, have a look at Tony's website http://wheels-inmotion.co.uk , you can email him to see if he can recommend someone in NI...

I PM'd Tony recently for northern recommendations but if it's not listed on his site he can't help.  Full geometry is his baby and no one else seems to offer the same service  

[TheBoy]

I would be inclined to not bother with tracking/4 wheel alignment type checks, but do a full geometry check instead.  Probably about double the cost, but worth it imho...

[Turk]

The reason some places won't touch VX's in general is due to the tracking adjusters being exposed to road cr*p and are usually seized solid. Even tho' they usually free up when heated, some places won't do this in case of damage to the arms.

I reckon next time the tracking was done, if one was apply copper grease to the threads and use something like an old cycle inner tube, zip tied at each end to seal the adjusters from the elements, that would be an end to the hassle.

Not that I've done this myself, but I reckon it would work...wouldn't it

[wheels-inmotion]

It's nothing to with Vx dealer. Anyone who has the correct 4-wheel alignment kit, and knows what they are doing, can do it - if your Vx dealer happen to be so equipped and has the right skills in house then so be it, but chances are that a specialist will be better at that... I think your local tyre guy preferred to say 'it's a dealer job' rather than admit 'you need to go to someone else who actually knows how to do proper 4-wheel alignment'.

My was done by The Man himself, have a look at Tony's website http://wheels-inmotion.co.uk , you can email him to see if he can recommend someone in NI...

I PM'd Tony recently for northern recommendations but if it's not listed on his site he can't help.  Full geometry is his baby and no one else seems to offer the same service  

Unfortunately policing the conduct of other companies is not an easy task, even more so if it carries the wim stamp of approval. After three years i only have five centres around the UK who i can trust (implicitly) Obviously this is not acceptable so we had to reassess how we help the customer.
This is how things have evolved..... Normally the complaint is emailed to wim, we asses the complaint and categorize the method of solution, if it's Geometrical we ask the owners to choose a destination for correction... We then contact the company, explain the problem and what is needed to resolve the complaint in advance of the owners visit. After the corrections we then validate the final positions for the owner.... Loads of invisible work for wim but rewarding for club members... and the cost is £0  

[Paul M]

Where is the furthest north recommended place that can do full geometry?

BTW I posted on your forum a few weeks ago about getting my Omega done, my last post was about Drivers in Glasgow being able to do alignment and camber. Sorry I haven't replied, kinda forgot about it! Although you said tracking & camber should be OK, I'd really like a proper full setup as this car does behave strangely under heavy braking and I've already had camber and tracking done.

Cheers.

[Jim Bob2]

I've been told by local tyre dealer that I should be taking the Omega to Vx to have the alignment checked, as he won't touch them any more. Anyone had it done by Vx or indeed any other company?

I had uneven tyre wear so had a full computer laser alignment done at the local independant tyre shop. They don't like Omegas because the links seize solid as had mine. They had to heat them up with the gas and eventually they moved. They carry a stock of new trackrod ends for Omegas because 9 out of 10 sheer of apparently. It turned out to be way out on the front and one rear was toeing in alot so it was crabbing.
When finished you get a colour print out showing the car chassis and the new corrected readings showing toe,camber thrust angle,and caster angles. You then have proof of a straight chassis if selling the vehicle on.
I thought for £50.22 it was money well spent. It turns out the local Vauxhall main dealer and others use this place because its cheaper than having there own. So if you took it to Vauxhall they would just add more to the price.

[Chopsdad]

Having had new wishbones fitted today I phoned local tyrefitter and asked if they did 4 way alignment

-"Oh yes Sir, of course we do" was the reply.
"So you can adjust all 4 then"
" Well no, we only adjust the front ones"
"But you can check the camber?"
"Well no, it's not adjustable at the front, but we'll have a look for you"

So 4 way wheel alignment here consists of front tracking only @ £15 - bargain!

Another local fitter can check and adjust all 4 for £30, so in absence of a place to visit for full geometry I'll have to settle for them.   BTW car drives much the same as before, slight pull to the left has increased but the knock has gone when exiting speedbumps.

[Markjay]

...slight pull to the left has increased...

They all pull to the left!  

Really - no one believes me  

[Chopsdad]

...slight pull to the left has increased...

They all pull to the left!  

Really - no one believes me  

I do! It always wandered a little but now it's just a bit more noticeable, or perhaps it's just me.  Garage mechanic today said he wouldn't bother with tracking as it would only be out now if it was already out before.  Couldn't really test it today as all the roads were frozen -  passed a 4x4 being loaded onto recovery truck after hitting a country wall - must've thought they were invincible ( bet they didn't realise it was 2 wheel drive, lol)

BTW you're avatar's gone missing Markjay (who ever you really are  )

[TheBoy]

Having had new wishbones fitted today I phoned local tyrefitter and asked if they did 4 way alignment

-"Oh yes Sir, of course we do" was the reply.
"So you can adjust all 4 then"
" Well no, we only adjust the front ones"
"But you can check the camber?"
"Well no, it's not adjustable at the front, but we'll have a look for you"

So 4 way wheel alignment here consists of front tracking only @ £15 - bargain!

Another local fitter can check and adjust all 4 for £30, so in absence of a place to visit for full geometry I'll have to settle for them.   BTW car drives much the same as before, slight pull to the left has increased but the knock has gone when exiting speedbumps.

The camber is adjustable on Omegas.  4 wheel alignment does NOT adjust the rear tracking, it simply uses the rears as a reference point, nothing more.

Ring a few local bodyshops, and see if they recommend anywhere local who can do proper full geometry...

[Chopsdad]

Took it in today & if my scanner worked I would copy the printout but here'e the data:

Front

Total Toe -13.9 now +0.9
Toe   -7.2   - 6.7 now +0.5   +0.4
Camber -1.3   - 2.2 now -1.4   -2.4
Cross Camber +1.0  now +0.9  (Range -0.5 +0.5)

Rear

Total Toe +1.3
Toe +0.5   +0.8 (Range +0.6 + 1.
Thrust Angle (on) +0.0
Camber -1.4   -1.9
Cross Camber +0.4

Given rear only out by tolerance of 0.1 on Toe, these weren't adjusted.