Hunter Wheel Alignment.Any good?**UPDATE**

[Stormchaser]

I,ve noticed my local tyre company has this system and was wondering if its worth doing.

The reason i say this is that eversince i have had the Zeniths fitted something isn,t right with the steering on the Octy especially when turning right.It feels like i,m going to slide off the road.I was thinking of getting my wheel alignment done but i,d imagine this system is quite costly?

What does everyone think?

[nudger2000]

I've seen it recommended by a motoring correspondent from a national paper. I'm taking my car to such a place because I'm getting steering wheel vibrations at speed that have been reduced by another attempt at balancing the front wheels - see the post about "steering wheel vibration" in this same forum.

I think you are looking at between £40 and £100 depending upon what they find and what they need to correct. Many places offer a free check, but I believe that's because virtually every car that's been driven on the road will require some tweaking so you never have a free check that says eerything is OK!

[mannyo]

Hunter make some of the best kit out there.

[KBPhoto]

Simple answer: Yes.

Had it done on two cars recently and feeling the difference makes you realise that it is worth the money.

First one cost £70 all in (Midland VW) and second was free with £30 for all changes (Hereford Tyres) but I did buy 4 tyres off them.

[Chorlton]

Yes it is very good as it is a geometry check. However, you need to be clued up about what can be adjusted on your car. For some cars like the Fabia only simple adjustments to Toe and can be made and not caster or camber.

Some places charge for the check and then a cost for each adjustment, so make sure you know what they are charging for and why.

They should supply a printout showing before and after angles along with manufacturers recommended range of measurements.

[rob_e]

hunter = very good kit. had mine done earlier in the year and much improved afterwards.

TBH given the known issues with rear geometry on this chassis it really is a no brainer. cost me 70 quid IIRC which is money well spent if it makes my tyres (120+ each) last longer and avoid sawtoothing.

[Stormchaser]

Thanks for the replies. I don't know what's happened to the steering it's very vague now. I haven't curbed it or anything. Turning right feels like the cars wheels are fighting each other and going left is a negative feeling. This has only happened since having the Zeniths fitted. I will contact them for an alignment check just to make sure first.

[allan1888]

The hunter alignment equipment is one of the best out there but like anything else the operator needs to know how to use and understand the equipment properly. My local dealer had the hunter alignment rig installed last year as they used to send the cars out to be aligned.

[Stormchaser]

Thanks again guys for the replies. I'm going to call them and get it booked in next week as I'm on holiday then.

@ Mike. I totally agree with you as my car has the same feeling as yours did before you got it done. It's just like its going to break away at any moment.

[brummie10]

http://www.discounttyresuk.co.uk/ in tipton cheap and good as well

well worth it

brummie10

[KBPhoto]

Link goes to a 404 error page!

[andyvee]

Strangest thing was that I couldn't put my finger on what the problem was until AFTER the alignment was sorted and things were as they should do. I even had the car back at the dealer where I bought it from to check for accident damage -- I'm not exaggerating, it felt so.......... "wrong". The feeling was even worse during the few weeks I had the 15 inch winter wheels on the car.

And the biggest problem was that I was able to compare it to the other Octavia that Kim now has, that has driven true from the day I bought it over 4 years ago. I even thought it might have been a difference in the weights of the hatch and estate that was causing the difference in the way they drove.

And the figures added up, off side rear toeing out, nearside rear toeing in, so the car was effectively crabbing slightly with the back end out to the right -- hence why it was ......"feeling twitchy" when steering left. There's no real way of describing it -- to state specifically what felt... strange... was impossible. SInce the alignment has been sorted, this feeling has 100% vanished, and I'm now totally happy in the way it feels steering both ways. Furthermore, the alignment on Kim's car was no where near as badly out as on mine, and this completely explains the difference in the feel between the 2 cars.

Simon TDI Sport suggested I went to his tyre specialist in Wigan to get this done, and at first held back as there was no evidence of abnormal tyre wear on either car. But I was in the area one day and decided to get it at least checked. I'm now totally converted, and I WILL be having the 4 wheel alignment checked on a regular basis from now on.

Mike

I remember when you got the car Mike and you were taking it back to check for damage - I said at the time that a geometry check would be money well spent.

One of my rear wheels was out when mine was first done, it felt like a totally different car afterwards, less understeer and sharper turn in.

[Stormchaser]

It's booked in on Monday for a full alignment at 3pm. Was quoted £40+vat. Seems cheap.

Will report back with results.

[KBPhoto]

Seems to be mid-price frim what I've heard/read/experienced.

That might be just for the check. Changes to the geometry might be charged extra. Worth asking.

Knowing my Octavia was out of alignment, I agreed to pay £70 all-in irrespective of how many changes were needed (but I forgot to ask for the print out...)

My wife's Fabia had a 'free' alignment check as I bought 4 tyres from them and I paid a fixed £30 for the changes to be made.

These both include VAT.

[Stormchaser]

Took car into Tyre Dealer today and the results are as printout:

Total charge £0.00.Nice result no adjustment required and totally in line.The guy said mine was one of the first he has seen thats needed no adjustment.All green and no red.

The only thing he said about my steering problem is to get rid of the gastly cheap budgets on the rear as he is sure thats the problem.

[swany]

any one know who has hunter equipment near the Scottish Borders

[nudger2000]

Try searching on www.alignmycar.co.uk - there's a locator function that should point out the nearest place.

[Stormchaser]

I'd recommend this to anyone wanting wheel alignment. It's the best out there.