Wheel Alignment

[oldoakknives]

Interestingly I think all three are adjustable on my Merc, I assume eccentric bolts or shims

If you want to install aftermarket camber adjusting bolts.

[adrianw]

If you want to install aftermarket camber adjusting bolts.

My other toys have shins, I'm pretty sure the GT is adjustable as standard

[Maysie]

Something not right there, if they really did, only two things I can think of, either it had been done incorrectly previously and the steering wheel was off, or it had been in a shunt

You're looking at Caster, camber and toe across the axles and then the relationship between the two axles, the adjustments available depend on the car, it has become a nice earner but it's not clever, most race cars are set up using string and measurements.

All I know is I was told that all 4 wheels had adjustment and it would therefore take approx 1hr instead of the usual 0.5hr to do the work - so long as nothing was ceased.

The rear left toe was well out and had stripped the inside of the (now replaced) tyre - hence why I was getting it done.
That was corrected and then the front was aligned to the rear.
Beyond that, I have absolutely no idea, as I am not a tyre fitter, or a mechanic, and was sitting in a nearby café enjoying a bacon roll and a cup of coffee - but I can say that the car feels massively improved since it has been done. The car is new to me, so I have no idea about its previous 'shunt' history other than it looks pretty clean to me.
I have no idea if the AWD systems, or radar cruise/lane assist etc have anything to do with it, as some garages apparently refuse to adjust the XC60's for these reasons (according to the Volvo forum I am on).

Anyway, isn't this thread supposed to be about the OP's £280 rip-off cost rather than the absolute technicalities of carrying out wheel alignments....

[oldoakknives]

All I know is I was told that all 4 wheels had adjustment and it would therefore take approx 1hr instead of the usual 0.5hr to do the work - so long as nothing was ceased.

The rear left toe was well out and had stripped the inside of the (now replaced) tyre - hence why I was getting it done.
That was corrected and then the front was aligned to the rear.
Beyond that, I have absolutely no idea, as I am not a tyre fitter, or a mechanic, and was sitting in a nearby café enjoying a bacon roll and a cup of coffee - but I can say that the car feels massively improved since it has been done. The car is new to me, so I have no idea about its previous 'shunt' history other than it looks pretty clean to me.
I have no idea if the AWD systems, or radar cruise/lane assist etc have anything to do with it, as some garages apparently refuse to adjust the XC60's for these reasons (according to the Volvo forum I am on).

Anyway, isn't this thread supposed to be about the OP's £280 rip-off cost rather than the absolute technicalities of carrying out wheel alignments....

I think a part of the ‘rip off’ side of wheel alignment is claiming camber/castor adjustments have been made when they patently haven’t. (Often to the rear wheels).
I would ask anyone claiming to have adjusted them what it entailed.

[Maysie]

I think a part of the ‘rip off’ side of wheel alignment is claiming camber/castor adjustments have been made when they patently haven’t. (Often to the rear wheels).
I would ask anyone claiming to have adjusted them what it entailed.

???
I didn't say they had made that claim.

[oldoakknives]

???
I didn't say they had made that claim.

I was generalising so perhaps shouldn’t have quoted your post, but I thought you said it had all been adjusted. In an hour.

All I know is I was told that all 4 wheels had adjustment and it would therefore take approx 1hr instead of the usual 0.5hr to do the work - so long as nothing was ceased.

The rear left toe was well out and had stripped the inside of the (now replaced) tyre - hence why I was getting it done.
That was corrected and then the front was aligned to the rear.
Beyond that, I have absolutely no idea, as I am not a tyre fitter, or a mechanic, and was sitting in a nearby café enjoying a bacon roll and a cup of coffee - but I can say that the car feels massively improved since it has been done…….

[Maysie]

I was generalising so perhaps shouldn’t have quoted your post, but I thought you said it had all been adjusted. In an hour.

From my original post which seems to have caused the stir:

Volvo AWD XC60, so a bit of a pain for them (apparently) as they have to adjust all 4 wheels.

I am still not sure what I have said which is supposedly wrong, as the two rear wheels are (apparently) independently adjustable (for toe) on an XC60, so therefore all 4 wheels may have needed to be corrected, which was potentially more of a pain for the garage as there were simply more bolts which could be ceased.
I didn't mentioned camber, castor or any other adjustments, so really cannot understand what the fuss seems to be about.

[oldoakknives]

From my original post which seems to have caused the stir:

Volvo AWD XC60, so a bit of a pain for them (apparently) as they have to adjust all 4 wheels.

I am still not sure what I have said which is supposedly wrong, as the two rear wheels are (apparently) independently adjustable (for toe) on an XC60, so therefore all 4 wheels may have needed to be corrected, which was potentially more of a pain for the garage as there were simply more bolts which could be ceased.
I didn't mentioned camber, castor or any other adjustments, so really cannot understand what the fuss seems to be about.

No fuss or stir, just discussing wheel alignment! I don't think you said anything wrong. Just as I have the utmost respect for FFF when it comes to mechanics and JLR vehicles. But that doesn't mean I have to agree with everything.

[Maysie]

No fuss or stir, just discussing wheel alignment! I don't think you said anything wrong. Just as I have the utmost respect for FFF when it comes to mechanics and JLR vehicles. But that doesn't mean I have to agree with everything.

Understood.
The guys in the garage who adjusted my tracking seemed to be pretty straight and honest, but your comments (and those from Adrian) above made me think they were yanking my chain!

But the car is SO much better feeling now, I really didn't think they had ripped me off or pulled a fast one, so I really wanted to understand which part of what I said was wrong....

[Mj2k]

But wrong.

But Corbyn.

I would place my money behind someone who spanners over a knife make tbh, no offence.

However one of you has much more experience in blades / the internet; the other with mechanical things.

[oldoakknives]

But Corbyn.

I would place my money behind someone who spanners over a knife make tbh, no offence.

However one of you has much more experience in blades / the internet; the other with mechanical things.

I 'spannered' for many years. Knifemaking was a hobby. No offence taken.

[Jimmcb]

So the wife's lease Mercedes goes in for it's service today.
I thought I'd let her get on with it as I figure she's old enough to know the usual upselling stuff.
That was my first mistake.
Needless to say an expensive bill has emerged at the end of the day.
The only thing I did emphasise was not to let them fit new tyres as we would get them through Blackcircles.
So one of the extras on the service that has been done was wheel alignment at an eye watering £280.
I am going to go the dealership tomorrow to pick up the car and going to ask why they would do wheel alignment before 2 new front tyres are changed.
Anyone in the know have any justification that they could give me for doing that?
Also going to ask why they have replaced rear discs and pads on a car at 18K miles when the sensors didn't reflect this ie.no warning light.
TIA

Which Merc dealer is this.

I have a real hatred for Merc dealers in central belt - Eastern western motor group (Newbridge) are fly by nights and cheaters. Shady practices is their 100% game.

Jim

[Dave+63]

The annual MOT is included in my latest MB service plan but I would still rather pay £40 to get it done at the garage I trust.

[Jimmcb]

The annual MOT is included in my latest MB service plan but I would still rather pay £40 to get it done at the garage I trust.

Agreed.

I was told my merc failed and was too dangerous to drive off their premises - EWMG Newbridge Merc dealer.

It had a 4mm (length) crack in the surface of an alloy - which had been pointed out to me by their other garage on annual servicing with no mention of safety or danger and I was allowed to drive away.
The mot failure was absolute and so they were required to keep my car from me - or so they thought.

They wouldn’t let me get on premises to fit a new wheel and tyre - “youre not insured to do such things sir!” or park it on street to do repair - “can’t park a car on a road with no mot sir!”, or for them to have wheel repaired by them - “we don’t do that sir!”

Bought the wheel for £960 from them - they supplied and fitted.

Also got a wiring loom recall done.

7 weeks it took!!

Jim

[Dave+63]

Agreed.

I was told my merc failed and was too dangerous to drive off their premises - EWMG Newbridge Merc dealer.

It had a 4mm (length) crack in the surface of an alloy - which had been pointed out to me by their other garage on annual servicing with no mention of safety or danger and I was allowed to drive away.
The mot failure was absolute and so they were required to keep my car from me - or so they thought.

They wouldn’t let me get on premises to fit a new wheel and tyre - “youre not insured to do such things sir!� or park it on street to do repair - “can’t park a car on a road with no mot sir!�, or for them to have wheel repaired by them - “we don’t do that sir!�

Bought the wheel for £960 from them - they supplied and fitted.

Also got a wiring loom recall done.

7 weeks it took!!

Jim

I was advised at the last service that a lower suspension link needed replacing at £650ish and an alloy wheel had a crack so £700. The previous year, the other lower link was replaced by the place I take my car to after the same quote. He charged me £250 but said it he wouldn’t have suggested it needed replacing. If my MOT guy says it needs doing, I’ll get it done but only if.

The wheel was replaced with a virtually brand new one from eBay for £140 and £25 to swap the tyre over. I will get the crack repaired and keep it as a spare.

[Jimmcb]

……..I will get the crack repaired and keep it as a spare.

Just what I’ve done Dave - wheel weld repaired for £80. Tyre to be fitted.

Jim

[Hood]

Which Merc dealer is this.

I have a real hatred for Merc dealers in central belt - Eastern western motor group (Newbridge) are fly by nights and cheaters. Shady practices is their 100% game.

Jim

Giffnock Mercedes mate
They’re in trouble the Mrs wants blood

Bottom line we have it in black and white that the results of wheel alignment was completed at 5.06
Girl said to me it was on ramp for wheel alignment at 4.30 when she phoned the Mrs
That’s 35 mins tops
Charged for 2 hours
That is fraud in anyone’s book
Will see how this goes down with Mercedes

[Jimmcb]

Giffnock Mercedes mate
They’re in trouble the Mrs wants blood

Bottom line we have it in black and white that the results of wheel alignment was completed at 5.06
Girl said to me it was on ramp for wheel alignment at 4.30 when she phoned the Mrs
That’s 35 mins tops
Charged for 2 hours
That is fraud in anyone’s book
Will see how this goes down with Mercedes

Thanks for that. Hope it gets sorted to your joint satisfaction.

I don’t know if they’re being led this way by Merc HQEU.

I doubt it as Halbeath (near Dunfermline) Merc are excellent - even though part of eastern western motor group. The demise of the once great set up started when Dougie Brown handed the business over to a gang of 4 or 5. Shisters! Complete failure for helping and supporting customers

Jim

[adrianw]

Agreed.

I was told my merc failed and was too dangerous to drive off their premises - EWMG Newbridge Merc dealer.

It had a 4mm (length) crack in the surface of an alloy - which had been pointed out to me by their other garage on annual servicing with no mention of safety or danger and I was allowed to drive away.
The mot failure was absolute and so they were required to keep my car from me - or so they thought.

They wouldn’t let me get on premises to fit a new wheel and tyre - “youre not insured to do such things sir!” or park it on street to do repair - “can’t park a car on a road with no mot sir!”, or for them to have wheel repaired by them - “we don’t do that sir!”

Bought the wheel for £960 from them - they supplied and fitted.

Also got a wiring loom recall done.

7 weeks it took!!

Jim

I'm not convinced that they can legally keep your property, they are just a car dealership not some sort of official body.

[Jimmcb]

They can’t. You’re right.

They eventually kept it on the grounds of the symptoms it was displaying for recall being deemed a real danger for fire under the recall. They were going to release it to me for the minor crack to the alloy until they asked about the wiring recall symptoms.

So, in summary, it swung from the cracked alloy being deemed so dangerous and unsafe, despite that issue being picked up during service and the vehicle released to me with no cautions raised, to the car being released as I expressed concern towards extortion of them keeping my car till I paid them to fix it. It then moved to them keeping it for fear of an electrical fire as a consequence of the wiring recall fault.

I ‘benefitted’ from the use of 4 brand new Mercs over the 7 weeks.

You couldn’t make this up!!

Jim

[Hood]

Just to update this.
Mercedes agreed the wheel alignment shouldn't have been done before new tyres were fitted.
Have refunded half the wheel alignment fee(£140) and are going to redo the wheel alignment now that the new tyres are on.
Still too much at £140 but a small victory.

[xxnick1975]

Nice one

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