Tyre Alignment and Balancing

[Figoian]

Another point I missed in my previous post.

Aren't WB required for all wheels or just Front ones alone? ASS is doing it only for 2 wheels and I heard the same with Bridgestone Select also yesterday. However, I insisted them to do it for all wheels.

Can anyone clarify on this point?

@ Infinity - As far as I heard with both ASS and Outside, only Toe Adjustments are done as Alignment as Caster & Camber settings are fixed. Are there shops which do Caster / Camber adjustments too?

Anyone on the above questions?

 

[Gurrala74]

@Figoan

1. WB required to be done for all wheels in my opinion

2. You will find shops who do caster/camber adjustments too

 

[Figoian]

2. You will find shops who do caster/camber adjustments too

But, so far all the WA shops I enquired does only Toe Adjustments. They all say that Caster & Camber are fixed and cannot be adjusted.

 

[jarpickle]

I think for caster/camber adjustments you need adjustable dampers.

@Gurrala74:How do they adjust the caster/camber?Can you please lets us know

 

[Gurrala74]

@Jarpickle

I don't do it, but I remember there are few balancing centers in hyderabad who does this not every one

 

[jarpickle]

I know you don't, I just thought you had more insight into what it involves and how is the camber actually adjusted.

 

[Varun560061]

I have got the camber adjusted on my car. They charge 300 rs per wheel. This is done only on independent suspensions.

They re-weld the hub mounting points on the struts as per the measurement so that hub mounts according to the measurement.

Even caster can be adjusted if there is a slight difference. They just add a washer at the balance rod (stabilizer bar connecting to lower arm). Usually done for older vehicles (sumo, indica, omni, 800 etc). I have also seen them filing the strut mounts so that it can be adjusted accordingly. (Commonly seen on indica's).


Hi Figoian : You need to get the balancing done on all the wheels, even if there is a slight bend on the rim it will effect the entire suspension system also causes uneven tire wear. The wheel bearings get damaged on long run.

I gues Figo comes with independent suspension at rear rite ? They even align the rear wheels too. (if independent suspension)

 

[Gurrala74]

Hmm, It is Varun who answered what I wanted to, so Jarpickle hope you are satisfied with answer buddy.

I know that they do WA with camber/caster adjustments, but never did that with my Ritz so far

 

[Figoian]

I have got the camber adjusted on my car. They charge 300 rs per wheel. This is done only on independent suspensions.

They re-weld the hub mounting points on the struts as per the measurement so that hub mounts according to the measurement.

Even caster can be adjusted if there is a slight difference. They just add a washer at the balance rod (stabilizer bar connecting to lower arm). Usually done for older vehicles (sumo, indica, omni, 800 etc). I have also seen them filing the strut mounts so that it can be adjusted accordingly. (Commonly seen on indica's).


Hi Figoian : You need to get the balancing done on all the wheels, even if there is a slight bend on the rim it will effect the entire suspension system also causes uneven tire wear. The wheel bearings get damaged on long run.

I gues Figo comes with independent suspension at rear rite ? They even align the rear wheels too. (if independent suspension)

Thanks Varun. So how do they identify that Caster / Camber adjustments are required? Is it shown in the alignment machine itself? I also do suspect rim bend in my case, but when I checked with some alignment centers, they denied any such bends in the rim. May be no visible edge bends, but could there be a bend otherwise? Which may cause inward/outward tilt and thus one side uneven wear and wobble? The previous set of tires I changed recently were wearing only on inner sides, irrespective of periodic alignments, balancing and rotation.

So my questions are...

1. Where in Bangalore is this alignment center which does all in all?
2. Where can I have the Rim Bend checked and repaired? If bend diagnosed and repair isn't possible, I should get a new set of Rims or may be Alloys.
3. How to check any possible damage in suspension or wheel bearings?

 

[jarpickle]

Very much satisfied.Will be looking forward to getting the same done once the 4x4 season is over.

 

[Varun560061]

Thanks Varun. So how do they identify that Caster / Camber adjustments are required? Is it shown in the alignment machine itself? I also do suspect rim bend in my case, but when I checked with some alignment centers, they denied any such bends in the rim. May be no visible edge bends, but could there be a bend otherwise? Which may cause inward/outward tilt and thus one side uneven wear and wobble? The previous set of tires I changed recently were wearing only on inner sides, irrespective of periodic alignments, balancing and rotation.

So my questions are...

1. Where in Bangalore is this alignment center which does all in all?
2. Where can I have the Rim Bend checked and repaired? If bend diagnosed and repair isn't possible, I should get a new set of Rims or may be Alloys.
3. How to check any possible damage in suspension or wheel bearings?

All the above issues are solved at Vijay Alignment near JP nagar 6th phase main road (Near Delmia Circle).

They do have some old machinery (simple terms : looks like compas) where it shows toe, camber, caster. They Also have steel rim bend removal machine, head lamp alignment etc.

you can meet the owner directly he will help you out, mention him that I got the contact from TAI. He knows the forum.

Very much satisfied.Will be looking forward to getting the same done once the 4x4 season is over.

I dint get your point Offroad in 800 ?

 

[jarpickle]

During the rains we have potholes here that are the size of craters.So monsoons are usually 4x4 season for us here.

 

[Figoian]

All the above issues are solved at Vijay Alignment near JP nagar 6th phase main road (Near Delmia Circle).

They do have some old machinery (simple terms : looks like compas) where it shows toe, camber, caster. They Also have steel rim bend removal machine, head lamp alignment etc.

you can meet the owner directly he will help you out, mention him that I got the contact from TAI. He knows the forum.

Thanks Varun. I had been there once couple of months ago(before the tyre change). One technician checked the wheels, just by mounting over jack and rotating the wheels and said, no visible bends. But he blamed the stock MRF tyres to be the culprit. Most tyre shops, including him concluded that MRF is well known for such wobble issues. Though they had Rim Bend Removal Machine, it wasn't tried in that then.

BTW, howz the accuracy with that older machines? Compass type ones. I am just skeptical as it's not computerized.

But, so far all the WA shops I enquired does only Toe Adjustments. They all say that Caster & Camber are fixed and cannot be adjusted.

I think for caster/camber adjustments you need adjustable dampers.

@Gurrala74:How do they adjust the caster/camber?Can you please lets us know

@Figoan

2. You will find shops who do caster/camber adjustments too

About Caster/Camber adjustments, as far as I understood till now, these aren't adjustable just as we do for Toe. Rather, in case of any such adjustments required, it has to be performed as a "Repair" by the Technical Experts and it's highly recommended to be done only at the concerned ASS. BTW, misalignment of Caster/Camber is quite rare and not as normal/regular as Toe.

 

[Varun560061]

Thanks Varun. I had been there once couple of months ago(before the tyre change). One technician checked the wheels, just by mounting over jack and rotating the wheels and said, no visible bends. But he blamed the stock MRF tyres to be the culprit. Most tyre shops, including him concluded that MRF is well known for such wobble issues. Though they had Rim Bend Removal Machine, it wasn't tried in that then.

BTW, howz the accuracy with that older machines? Compass type ones. I am just skeptical as it's not computerized.

Yes me too was facing the same issues with my old good year tires.

Accuracy is fine. The logo on the steering was not at center for many years in my car when the alignment was done with the computeried machines but I was surprised to see that steering exactly in center after getting alignment from these tools.

Any way you can give a try, if not satisfied we can get the computerised
alignment done.

 

[Figoian]

Yes me too was facing the same issues with my old good year tires.

Accuracy is fine. The logo on the steering was not at center for many years in my car when the alignment was done with the computeried machines but I was surprised to see that steering exactly in center after getting alignment from these tools.

Any way you can give a try, if not satisfied we can get the computerised
alignment done.

Thanks Varun. Will give it a try when I can visit that side of the city. BTW, how much do they charge for WA & WB?