Wheel Alignment

[dvw]

Just wondering if anyone has had a full alignment (Caster, Toe & Camber) done on their CTS. Having lowered the car I have been told I must get these done. How much did it cost you and have you noticed any difference?

Many thanks.

[cfc1]

Can cost anywhere from 50 - 100 quid.. shop around.

VERY HIGHLY recommended after lowering... standard factory settings are for standard factory suspension.. you change the suspension set up.. you *may also change the alignment settings,

*not always the case, sometimes there is no change.... but you won't know until to do it.

[dvw]

Just go back from having the car's alignment sorted. Steering wheel is now straight when driving straight forwards (this was due to real wheels being out of alignment). Front wheels were also out of alignment so that's now sorted and they also adjusted the 'Toe' settings for me. To be honest I can't feel a massive difference although steering is more acurate now which feels nice. The cost?

£22! - Bargain!! at National Tyres (the lad was brilliant and let me watch what he was doing explaining it all to me). He also had a look at the camber of the wheels and said they looked fine. He did mention that it was unusual for camber to be affected by lowering a car.

The car was only slightly out of alignment from factory settings due to the lowering but it is now spot on. Apparently after lowering you still keep to the manufacturers alignment settings.

[cfc1]

Apparently after lowering you still keep to the manufacturers alignment settings.

I have been a tyre fitter for very nearly 20 years... I can assure you that it is possible that the standard tracking settings can change.. it all depends on HOW the car was lowered and by HOW MUCH it has been lowered by. 30mm on springs is generally OK.. 60mm on full coilovers?.. there is a good chance the settings will be different (even slightly can be enough to scrub off the tyres early)

Glad you got it sorted though.. and at £22.00 I would say that you only got tracking done and not a full global check... most places charge a minimum of about £40 just to set the machine up never mind get the settings from it. How many lasers were shining around your car.. 1 across the front and 1 down each side??

[dvw]

There were red laser lines at each corner of the vehicle showing up on a ruler type gauge of some kind. This apparently made sure that the rear wheels were aligned, the front wheels were aligned and the toe angle was correct.

[cfc1]

normal tracking/alignment.. no camber/castor I'm afraid... just keep an eye on tyre wear, you should get a slight scrubbing on the outer edge of both fronts (due to power steering) the passenger side will wear quickest.

[dvw]

Yeah that's right. He said it was about £140 to have the full works done. He did say that in his experience he has seldom known a lowered car that required having its camber / caster re-aligned but he did look at the camber and said he didn't think it was out by much if at all because if it was he would struggle getting the alignement sensors on?

Anyway, thanks for the info.