I had some stuff replaced near the front wheels due to wearing out because of old age and the engineer has had a load of attempts at getting the alignment correct, he is unable to get the wheels aligned and the steering wheel 'square', so the car goes straight but the wheel is a couple of degrees off which means the safety option of keeping the car between the white lines is not happy.

Rang one of the Skoda dealers in the north east and they quoted a huge cost for a wheel alignment because they insisted on calibrating the radar as well, in effect charging me a lot of money for something I don't think needs to be done.

The other north east dealer isn't doing alignments at the moment.

Has anyone else come across this and more importantly, can anyone recommend a place that can do wheel alignments on a superb l&k

Thanks

Not had to do it myself but am aware that a wheel alignment should also have an adas calibration done too. As all the assistance systems rely on the thrust direction of the car being calibrated to the systems. Alignment can put it off by a degree or so and at 80mph that can make a big difference.

Have a look locally for independent adas calibration service.

Is it that difficult to get the steering wheel straight? Tracking/alignment is about getting the wheels to point in the same direction...which means they are both adjustable. So, (oversimplifying technical terminology) if the steering wheel is 2 degrees off to the left, adjusting both front wheels to the left by 2 degrees means they're pointing in the same direction as the steering wheel right? Am I missing something by oversimplifying it? Or is it something that's as much art as science?

That aside, there is definitely association between radar and steering alignment so its not a complete oversell. Best bet is get a second opinion - maybe another dealer but also a decent VAG independent with a positive reputation. Don't tell them what you've been told, just explain the situation and see if they come up with the same thing unprompted.

Whilst doing a radar recalibration with a wheel alignment is a thing (by the books), it is not really a must.

Over the 8+ yrs I've had Gandalf, I've done at least a dozen wheels alignments without the radar calibration.

No issues with the radar, steering or assist systems.

All tracks well with ACC and Lane Assistance etc. etc.

Even if u did want to do it, biggest issue is finding someone who can do the radar calibration!!

10 hours ago, travs said:

Is it that difficult to get the steering wheel straight? Tracking/alignment is about getting the wheels to point in the same direction...which means they are both adjustable. So, (oversimplifying technical terminology) if the steering wheel is 2 degrees off to the left, adjusting both front wheels to the left by 2 degrees means they're pointing in the same direction as the steering wheel right? Am I missing something by oversimplifying it? Or is it something that's as much art as science?

You're absolutely right and there's nothing special about the Superb, the problem is that most garages can't be bothered to adjust both tie rods so that the steering wheel is straight. To be fair, it's not that easy to judge the straight-ahead position of the steering wheel when you're not driving. I corrected my own in the end!

I have had to have the radar re-calibrated after replacing the front shocks, but never after alignments or new tyres.