I suspect I know the answer to this, but just in case:
Took the Mondeo in for an oil change yesterday, Ford Rapid fit. Bloke shimmies over looking shifty afterwards, conversation goes like this.
Bloke: You got uneven tyre wear there mate. You want us to check the balance and alignment?
Me: Well....how much?
Bloke: 35 quid the balance, 62 the alignment. Plus VAT.
Me: But I had it aligned in the summer when I had the suspension sorted.
Bloke: Yes, well, you have to check it three times a year.
Me: Eh? At a 100 a go?
Bloke: Meaningful silence.
Me: I'll leave that for now then thanks.
Question: Does he tell this "three times a year" line to six and seven eighths out of seven of his customers (and that's not a number I've picked out of a hat.)? Or is three times a year actually reasonable?
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I suppose it depends on how many kerbs/potholes you hit, and how fast you are going when you hit them.
The last time I had the tracking adjusted was on my Mk2 Cavalier (this was due to a major leaving road into field situation) - over 10 years ago, and I've owned three different cars since then. I've always get the tracking checked when new tyres are fitted, but have never been out of alignment since the Mk2. I guess I'm also lucky that the place I take it to don't charge unless they have to adjust anything.
Tyres balanced - On average I would say three times per tyre. Once when newly fitted. A week later after they have had time to settle and bed down on the rims. Then again when they're ½ worn. Again, the place I use don't charge unless they have to fit new/extra wheel weights.
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how much for a wheel balancing???????????????
kwik fit only charge £18
a tyre specialist £10
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A four wheel check and front wheel alignment is £18 at Micheldever. If they find a problem with the rear wheels, they book it in at a later date for the work.
V
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I would only re-align the the wheels if the tyres showed uneven wear on replacement.
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The rear toe seems to be knocked out of adjustment quite easily by a small kerb knock.
When you see how it is adjusted compared to the front it is not surprising.
I don't think I would trust a main dealer with wheel alignment. Probably better to find a specialist who will offer a full printout of the angles so you can see what is going on and compare it to next time.
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I think hes taking the mick, once a year is usually adequate. Balancing is usually about 5 quid a wheel and wheel alignment usually costs about 20-25 quid. I would give that garage a miss in the future cos they sound a bit poo.
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I've been told to get it checked about 3 times a year, for which there is no charge, unless they find something wrong, in which case, then I think the charge at Rapid Fit was about £15 + V.A.T.
I would get it done if it's free. Unfortunately I think it's too late for my front tyres. :(
Blue
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">Bloke: Yes, well, you have to check it three times a year.<"
Ask for the manager of the Rapid Fit operation to put that in writing, then send it to Ford UK for comment. How can a car be fit for purpose if wheel alignment needs to be checked three times a year? Who designs these things?
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Lots of places that I have been to recommend checking every 4 months. Are you honestly saying that in 4 months driving you hit no potholes, bumps in the road, or drive over anything other than a perfectly flat surface?
As the answer to the above, unless you live and drive on a runway all of the time, is going to be no, it makes sense to me that over a period of time the wheels may get slightly out of alignment. I get mine checked reasonably regularly seeing as they only charge you if there is something wrong AND you decide to fix it.
The ones I go to explain how far out it is, if at all, and then ask whether you would like it correcting. If you don't then it's no fee.
Blue
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Lots of places that I have been to recommend checking every 4 months. Are you honestly saying that in 4 months driving you hit no potholes, bumps in the road, or drive over anything other than a perfectly flat surface?
I think it varies from car to car and whether the running gear is made from tin foil or from something more substantial. Check my earlier post - haven't had any tracking adjustments made in over 10 yrs on any of my Vauxhalls I've owned. Believe me, Oxfordshire roads are full of pot holes. The council can't afford to repair them, but can afford to erect warning signs saying "Caution, Failed Road Surface" to cover any legal claims they might recieve.
Getting back to tracking, my first car, Austin Allagro, you only had to graze a kerb and the tracking was a mile out.
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40 000 miles per year for the last 20 years in a variety of vehicles, tyre wear always even. Never get the tracking checked between tyre changes. Every 4 months? Why? If a car can't handle the odd kerb, pothole or ditch then it's not worth buying .... now where are the keys to my LR?
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Thank you folks. Seems like the money asked is not unreasonable, and for a Mondeo, the interval suggested isn't either.
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