Alignment question (need advice for tomorrow)

Post by **simonc** » Sat Feb 27, 2016 1:52 pm

Hi Gents,
Tomorrow I'm going back to the tyre place to get the alignment done as part of the deal for getting the new tyres fitted.
The thing is that Jason won't be there tomorrow to hold my hand because of family commitments, yadda, yadda yadda.
Okay, I've seen the set-up at the tyre place, very 'Dr Evil', with laser beams ( no frikkin' sharks which is a poor-do), mirrors, monitors, readouts and gauges etc but being the dimwit that I am, I have no idea what is up and what is down
, what is toe-in and what is toe-out, and actually, what is left and what is bloody right.
These are my questions guys: what am I supposed to be looking at to make sure everything is straight and true?
Should everything be 'green' at '0.00 degrees' or is there some kind of nuanced measurements I should be looking for?
I know this is kind of a stupid question but I want to get things right, first time so I'm not faffing about later on or moaning to Jason (or you guys) about wonkily worn tyres a couple of months from now.
Are there (is there), a set of parameters I'm looking for on the monitor tomorrow that says 'all is fine and dandy'?

I don't know what else to add to this other than the tyres are Michelin 205/50x16 Pilot Sport 3's and the car is a 4th Gen, JDM, 2.2, VTEC, Si, Automatic.

I won't be online again till my time tomorrow, so if anyone could advise me before I go there tomorrow morning ( my time + 8GMT), I'd be really grateful. Thanks, as ever Gents, Si.

mercutio · Post by **mercutio** » Sat Feb 27, 2016 1:57 pm

they should have preset values for all cars but a fast road setup is obviously different to a nominal setup

lewie fraser · Post by **lewie fraser** » Sat Feb 27, 2016 5:29 pm

Are you doing the alignment youself?

if you are I ll give you some advice anyway.set the machines and alingers up and it will give you your current reading,If its out then you adjust it.It does not have to be green but if its close that's good.Most cars are different.it does not have to be 0 degrees either.for example it can be minus 3 and plus 3.depending on the car.aslong as it evens each side out it could be minus 3 on the passenger side and plus 3 on the drivers side.Find the corrent reading for your car and go with that.If you cant find your cars reading go close to the green and keep it even.

hope this helps you mate

Post by **indigolemon** » Sat Feb 27, 2016 7:12 pm

Is your car 4WS Simon? I can't remember

Post by **simonc** » Sat Feb 27, 2016 11:04 pm

Hi all,
Morning Lewie, no mate, I'm not doing it myself mate, the guys at the garage are doing it.
Indigolemon - yes sir, it's a 4WS
Merc, just looking for a 'Mr Average' set up.

Post by **simonc** » Sun Feb 28, 2016 7:07 am

Hi guys,
Had to dash out really early this morning and went to the tyre place on my way home. I've taken a few shots of the process to share.
Up she goes...

Rear detail

Front detail

I think this was the first photo I took of the screen before they did anything.

This I believe, is an after shot (front or rear), I'm sorry, I didn't make a note

This I believe is also an after shot,but like above, don't know if it's front or rear.

Of course, I've no idea what all that lot on the screen is. Trouble was that the guys at the centre weren't good with English so until I see Jason tomorrow, I'm kind of in the dark. Anyway, it was interesting to watch.

Post by **ek9sid** » Sun Feb 28, 2016 7:52 am

Looks like pic 2 is a before shot of your rear and pic 3 is the after shot of said rear.

Pic 1 looks to be the front (as it has the caster option) but not too sure if it's before or after. I'm going to hazard a guess at before.

Post by **simonc** » Sun Feb 28, 2016 8:47 am

Mate, I swear I have no idea of what it all means. I have emailed them to Jason but he's pretty tied up today. Hopefully, a guru or two from LG will be able to enlighten me but if not, I'll hang on till I see him tomorrow for the full SP.

mercutio · Post by **mercutio** » Sun Feb 28, 2016 9:48 am

looks pretty good but did they lock the rear steer?

Post by **indigolemon** » Sun Feb 28, 2016 10:09 am

simonc wrote:Hi all,
Morning Lewie, no mate, I'm not doing it myself mate, the guys at the garage are doing it.
Indigolemon - yes sir, it's a 4WS
Merc, just looking for a 'Mr Average' set up.

mercutio wrote:looks pretty good but did they lock the rear steer?

Hi Simon, exactly this! You need to lock the rear wheels when this is done, as if they are even slightly turned it'll then cascade through all the setup and your car will not be the super planted corner weapon it should be!

Usually, the rear wheel locking tool is put into the rear rack, then they align the rear wheels with the chassis, then align the fronts from the rears.