[sleek_mx6]

hey , just got my wheel alignment and wheel balance done today on my car and to be honest i dont think that they did a very good job...
just wondering whether it is because they did a front wheel alignment + balance only - when the car has 4ws and, would this mean that they need to do a 4-wheel aligment and 4-wheel balance.

when i drove it out - thought they did nothing in regard to the alignment... does this mean i may need a 4-wheel alignment and balance done?

 

[White90MX6]

AFAIK my car has never had a 4-wheel alignment before, and I know that they are able to be done at some places... but damn, they are expensive!

Anyway, what is wrong with the car? Is it pulling to one side, or bumpy... If it is pulling to one side then it is the alignment, if it is a bumpy ride then it is the balance. I'm sure that you got a 4 wheel balance, as that is common practice (I hope).

Either way, if you are not happy then take it back. They normally give you a print out of the results, someone might know what sort of results are good. They also tell you how much they changed everything.

Tripharn

 

[ducktape69]

well yeah..i thought that would have been quite obvious since all 4 wheels turn

 

[sleek_mx6]

i went to Bridgestone tyre centre and had my tyres rotated with the wheel alignment & balance.
when i drove out it was steering to the right - when it was previously steering to the left. and was also told that one of my strut tower covers needed to be replaced.
at the moment - when i turn to the right - my car makes a ticking noise. could this be the reason why its steering to one side??
anyway - yeah i think i better take it back to them.

 

[White90MX6]

If it is ticking while turning then it is probably your CV joints... do a search on here to find out what to listen for.

I don't know of anyone who has ever got a 4-wheel alignment on their cars, including the Honda's and stuff.... but it can't hurt I suppose (besides the wallet).

Tripharn

 

[cam22t]

I had Beaurepairs do a 4 wheel alignment on mine.

The price was cheap but due to the fact that i new the manager and he did it for about 50 bucks.

After fitting the coilovers and camber plates, i wanted to make sure that the steering was still sweet.

 

[MitchW]

ducktape:, i'm not sure what part is obvious... can you explain.

Tripharn: I don't have 4ws and when i lowered my car i got a front wheel alignment, i haven't noticed excessive wear on the inside of my rear tyres, but should you get a 4wheel alignment when lowering your car.

 

[crusty]

Any wheel alignment I've had is all 4 wheels, same with the balance. Graeme Crooke Tyre & mechanical, North Ipswich (also at Browns Plains & Goodna but I've never been to those) It's always been part of a bigger job and I have an account so I don't know how much but they're the best with tyre prices.

 

[ViNcEnXo]

ducktape (shouldn't that be duct tape?)

Not all cars can have the rear wheels alligned. MX6's are one that can, but most cars are only able to be aligned on the front wheels.

Just because all wheels turn, doesn't mean you need a 4 wheel allignment.

 

[White90MX6]

ducktape:, i'm not sure what part is obvious... can you explain.

Tripharn: I don't have 4ws and when i lowered my car i got a front wheel alignment, i haven't noticed excessive wear on the inside of my rear tyres, but should you get a 4wheel alignment when lowering your car.

If you don't have a 4WS car then you won't even be able to get the rear wheels aligned. If you aren't getting uneven wear then that is a good thing, so I wouldn't bother about anything.

It has been awhile since I've played around with suspension, but if you are getting uneven wear then I suggest that you will looking for a camber kit. But then again, that is only if you are having problems with anything.

Tripharn

 

[Encore]

I just had my 4 wheel alignment done today at a Bridgestone Tyre Centre for $60 with a free check and alignment after 4000km or 6 months. If you have 4WS, you should get a 4 wheel alignment just to make sure you get even tyre wear. My car was pulling to the right before my wheel alignment and was still pulling to the right after my wheel alignment until I rotated my tyres from front to back (I have directional tyres) and that solved the problem.

If it still pulls to the side, then bring it back to them and ask them why. Ticking noise when you are turning is from your CV joints. Get them checked out and fixed to prevent any further damage.

 

[ViNcEnXo]

If you don't have a 4WS car then you won't even be able to get the rear wheels aligned.

Wrong.

I have a 2ws car and everything is adjustable to get a 4 wheel allignment.

When I had my wheels put on I got a 4 wheel allignment and the tyres are wearing perfectly.

 

[JaxTX5]

hey
i done a 4 wheel aligment on my car and it onli cost like $50
but if your car is still pullying to one side it could be the ball joint

thats the problem i had b4
once i got that fix my steering is centered and about the clicking noise it could b your cv joints and i recently had that change too bcoz my rims were to heavy and it stuffed up my cv joints

well hope u get it fixed

 

[rodhog]

ALL MAZDA 626 and MX-6's need a 4WHEEL WHEEL ALIGNMENT
Must be done or your body maybe sideways but both wheel ends are striagh ahead.

This is due to IRS in the rear as we have adjustments for this. Unlike chepaer cars like LANCERs ETC.

YOU NEED IT DONE. Does wonders for everything.

Anytime anything changes in your suspension you need new alignment.

As for balancing, I remember finding that factory wheels are much more easy and even steel wheels you can get right. but some of them 19 inch chrome wheels so hard they are like always out by just a touch. Even M3 wheels smae just a touch.

I never worry unless at 100k's they are really moving about.
But it does help wear and handling

 

[mxchaos]

Mazda at artarmon charge $90 + GST for a 4 wheel alignment on mine when I do get it done (or at least have the last few times).