Recommendation on wheel alignment places

Forums › Transport (cars, bikes and boats) › Recommendation on wheel alignment places

Oriphix

523 posts

Ultimate Geek

#195909 11-May-2016 14:04

Hi Guys,

Looking for recommendation on "excellent" wheel alignment places in Auckland North Shore.

I have taken my car to 3 different places and they just can't get it right to save themselves.

The first place I took it to said the bush arm was worn so they replaced both the front ones. (didn't work)

Drove out of the parking lot the steering was off by a mile.

The second place told me to replace all the tyre's that's the problem so did that. (didn't work)

It surely can't be that hard?

I have a Mercedes C300. Currently the steering is not straight from the last guy that tried to fix it. So I have to have it turned a bit to the right to drive straight.

Since I have all new tyres I want to get this fixed to reduce any ware on them. Someone mentioned: http://beaurepaires.co.nz/Wheel-Alignments/6586/

I haven't used them before so no idea about there service.

Should I just take to Mercedes rather then mucking around with other places?

Thanks

1 | 2

180 posts

Master Geek

#1550893 11-May-2016 14:35

Do you mean a wheel alignment, or do you mean your steering wheel isn't aligned/centred?

Oriphix

523 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1550911 11-May-2016 14:42

Smithy100:

Do you mean a wheel alignment, or do you mean your steering wheel isn't aligned/centred?

The steering wheel was straight however the wheel wasn't aligned it was pulling to the left.

Now it looks like its going straight by the steering wheel is not straight.

I assume both would need to be checked and corrected.

BruceHamilton

77 posts

Master Geek

#1550932 11-May-2016 15:00

I can't comment on other sites, but I've used the Beaurepaires in Alicetown Lower Hutt a couple of times, and they were very good. They visually checked all the suspension and tyres, printed out colourful reports showing the status before and after their various adjustments. Very friendly and happy to discuss what they planned and what they found. I'd suggest talking to your local Beaurepaires staff, and see if you want to use them.

gzt

17120 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#1550965 11-May-2016 15:31

Best go to a trained mechanic. Also get a price for the genuine service it may be reasonable.

jpoc

1043 posts

Uber Geek

#1551027 11-May-2016 17:03

Try Apex Automotive on Porana Road on the shore. They are halfway between PBTech and Pak'nSave.

They are very good and their prices are good too.

bigreddog

197 posts

Master Geek

Subscriber

#1551047 11-May-2016 17:54

Take it to Mercedes. You don't say what year it is, but if it has complex driving aids (stability control etc) then usually its more than just making sure all the wheels are pointing in the right directions. The systems need to be reset via a connected computer interface which any *good* wheel aligner will tell you straight away.

If it doesn't have any of the above, then why don't you take it back to the place(s) which aren't doing the job to your requirements?

For what its worth I use Beaurepaires (Tauranga, but thats just my local). All the stores seem to have the same equipment from what i have seen - laser aligned, configurations tied to the VIN of the vehicle - almost hard to get it wrong!

chopsuwe

25 posts

Geek

#1551192 11-May-2016 21:29

Not the shore sorry but I've have good service from Haslip's Tyre Service in Panmure in the past. I've probably done 6 alignments there and they get it right first time.

Equinox IT

Cloud spending continues to surge globally, but most organisations haven’t made the changes necessary to maximise the value and cost-efficiency benefits of their cloud investments. Download the whitepaper From Overspend to Advantage now.

blakamin

4431 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1551201 11-May-2016 21:55

Personally, I wouldn't get an alignment at a tyre shop.

The fact your steering wheel isn't straight is one reason why. It means they didn't "lock" the wheel in the centre position before they started.

Lazy. Most are, and not very well trained. They rely on the machine (which might not have been updated) and that isn't always that correct. Some data is "close enough" from the manufacturer of the machine.

They also won't do camber/caster adjustment. Basically, it's all just toe in/out done by adjusting your tie-rod ends.

Source: I used to work at one, but lucky I was OCD so at least your wheel would've been straight :D

Find a professional.

edit: I don't know Auckland, but http://www.wairaualignment.co.nz/

Batman

Mad Scientist
29762 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1551216 11-May-2016 22:50

blakamin:

Personally, I wouldn't get an alignment at a tyre shop.

The fact your steering wheel isn't straight is one reason why. It means they didn't "lock" the wheel in the centre position before they started.

Lazy. Most are, and not very well trained. They rely on the machine (which might not have been updated) and that isn't always that correct. Some data is "close enough" from the manufacturer of the machine.

They also won't do camber/caster adjustment. Basically, it's all just toe in/out done by adjusting your tie-rod ends.

Source: I used to work at one, but lucky I was OCD so at least your wheel would've been straight :D

Find a professional.

edit: I don't know Auckland, but http://www.wairaualignment.co.nz/

That explains a looooot of things

mattwnz

20155 posts

Uber Geek

#1551218 11-May-2016 22:52

blakamin:
Personally, I wouldn't get an alignment at a tyre shop.

The fact your steering wheel isn't straight is one reason why. It means they didn't "lock" the wheel in the centre position before they started.

Lazy. Most are, and not very well trained. They rely on the machine (which might not have been updated) and that isn't always that correct. Some data is "close enough" from the manufacturer of the machine.

They also won't do camber/caster adjustment. Basically, it's all just toe in/out done by adjusting your tie-rod ends.

Source: I used to work at one, but lucky I was OCD so at least your wheel would've been straight :D

Find a professional.

edit: I don't know Auckland, but http://www.wairaualignment.co.nz/

Sort of makes you wonder if it is worth doing at all on a car purchased from new, if what they do can make it worse. I have had it done by a tyre shop and didn't notice any difference, so possibility wasn't done well.The tyre places use it as an 'upsell', so imagine it is a high margin service.

nakedmolerat

4629 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1551249 12-May-2016 07:10

@Oriphix:
Smithy100:

Do you mean a wheel alignment, or do you mean your steering wheel isn't aligned/centred?

The steering wheel was straight however the wheel wasn't aligned it was pulling to the left.

Now it looks like its going straight by the steering wheel is not straight.

I assume both would need to be checked and corrected.

I had this problem recently. I went to a few places which couldn't really solve the issue. Heck I even told the dealership to look at the steering just in case if that's the problem and no it was not the issue. Got this problem sorted by the Bridgestone guys.

Go to Bridgestone Parnell - speak to Mohammad (manager) and there is a wheel alignment tech there with lots of experience, I think his name is Halsey or Helse (african fellow) not too sure.

They can sort you out. The only catch is they are very busy. You'll need to leave the car there for the whole day. They test drive a few times throughout the day and I am pleased with their work. Make sure you explain to the manager with regards to the issue.

Inphinity

2780 posts

Uber Geek

#1551270 12-May-2016 08:43

I have had good experiences with Tyre Tech on Archers Road - by far the best in my experience of the 15+ places on the Shore I've had alignments done. Explain the situation, I'm sure they'll sort it.

RUKI

1402 posts

Uber Geek

#1551471 12-May-2016 13:40

Oriphix:

..... Someone mentioned: http://beaurepaires.co.nz/Wheel-Alignments/6586/

I haven't used them before so no idea about there service.

Should I just take to Mercedes rather then mucking around with other places?

...

That is about who does the job, not what is the company name.

I used beaurepaires before in Greenlane. English guy who did alignment at a time - has done a great job.

But people have changed there since - can't tell how experienced the new guys are.

blakamin

4431 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1551812 12-May-2016 22:04

joker97:

That explains a looooot of things

Was many years ago... Or do you mean the OCD? :p

Batman

Mad Scientist
29762 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1551829 12-May-2016 22:49

blakamin:

joker97:

That explains a looooot of things

Was many years ago... Or do you mean the OCD? :p

No. My car.

Took it for 3 alignments over 12 months and each time it got worse.

Turns out my alignment problem was due to a steering arm ball joint wear to the point of 2 more mm = car falling off the ravine.

1 | 2