Hi all. I've had a Hunter wheel alignment at Kwik Fit about 4 week ago, my RRS hasn't handled the same since, I thought it was just me but my wife has mentioned it as well and that's saying something!

They said they had to put it in maintenance mode for the suspension to do the alignment.

I've not a clue what the values mean on the readout they gave me but all 4 corners where in the red and now in the green (I'm sure that makes sense to someone hahahaha!).

My issues are that the steering wheel is no longer pointing central on straights but off to the right (offside) but the car is pulling to the nearside.

Both front tyres are now badly worn on the outer edge, to the point that I might be looking to replace them in the next couple of weeks or I'm going to start to see threading.

I never had these issues before I took it in and tyre ware was very even!

WHAT HAVE THEY DONE!

Post up the image of the readouts on here & one of the site sponsors will tell you if it's right.
I wonder if they thought 'maintenance mode' was in fact access height? That'd screw up your geometry. I'm in the shed, I'll be back in the real world in a minute.

I had just the same, had a Hunter's alignment at a place I used last year with great success (not Kwik Fit) and since then all sorts of problems with steering wheel not being straight and tracking wrong. I took it back twice and they realigned the steering wheel, just to go wrong again within an hour or so. After all this happened the LR Dealer changed my sump gasket that I believe is a big strip-down job and my local garage said that tracking was way out. It's now going back to Dealer to check the alignment but I am fed up of all the messing around.

mr_spaceuk wrote:

Hi all. I've had a Hunter wheel alignment at Kwik Fit about 4 week ago, my RRS hasn't handled the same since, I thought it was just me but my wife has mentioned it as well and that's saying something!

They said they had to put it in maintenance mode for the suspension to do the alignment.

I've not a clue what the values mean on the readout they gave me but all 4 corners where in the red and now in the green (I'm sure that makes sense to someone hahahaha!).

My issues are that the steering wheel is no longer pointing central on straights but off to the right (offside) but the car is pulling to the nearside.

Both front tyres are now badly worn on the outer edge, to the point that I might be looking to replace them in the next couple of weeks or I'm going to start to see threading.

I never had these issues before I took it in and tyre ware was very even!

WHAT HAVE THEY DONE!

At the risk of stating the obvious.... they haven't followed the correct adjustment procedure.

You can help a little by making sure the fuel tank is full and the tyre pressures are correct before taking the car in but after that it is up to them.

The suspension should be put in 'Tight Tolerance Mode' before starting the job.

Take it somewhere else that knows how to do it properly; get a report on the initial condition of the adjustments and take that back to Kwik Fit to justify a full refund. 2008 MY Java Black TDV8 HSE

I think i would be very reluctant in going to the likes of quick fit to get this type of work done, as Paddi says, have they done it correctly. Just beacause they have a Hunter machine is no guarantee they can use it correctly orhave even used the correct data to setup your suspension.
The Indie i go to use a Beissbarth ML8 machine and a specially calibrated wheel alignment ramp to carry this work, i had mine done during the replacement of the front lower arms last year and have had no trouble at all.
I did also enquire about this "full fuel tank " requirement as a few people had mentioned it on here but they said there was no need for this as they would lock the suspension at the correct height before any work was done 2010 RRS, TDV8
bali Blue / colour coded
side steps / flappy paddles
black perforated leather
22" overfinch
heated everything, TV,fridge ...... now with gold calipers and mud flaps !( black mud flaps that is) !!
Many years ago,,,,, 1955 series 1 landie , sometimes wish I had kept it

At the time the tyre pressures where correct and I normally run with a fuel tank at 3/4 full or above.
I think im going to give kwik fit a wide berth from now on.

How is 'Tight Tolerance Mode' activated ?

Last edited by mr_spaceuk on Wed Jun 10 2015 5:19pm. Edited 1 time in total

Tight Tolerance mode is activated via the OBD port using an appropriate diagnostic computer such as the IID tool. Any serious workshop will be able to do it. Workshops that don't have the kit will try to convince you it is not necessary but they are wrong.

Re the full fuel tank thing - it is in the official workshop manual (in red text) so I always observe that. 2008 MY Java Black TDV8 HSE

I very much doubt any "drive in" garage around here would have a IID Tool to set this all up correctly. Might have to give the RR Dealer a call and see if they offer the service

aaaaaaaagh! No please.......the last thing I intended to do was drive you into the arms of a franchised dealer where most likely the spotty apprentice will screw up your alignment and then you will be charged an extortionate labour rate and advised you have all sorts of other 'faults that need atention'

Look on the Hunter 'align my car' website and there will be a competent place near you somewhere.  2008 MY Java Black TDV8 HSE

I'm having 4 new tyres fitted tomorrow and have decided to have the geometry checked to help prevent any uneven wear.
Having mine done at Brunel Tyres in Bristol.
They do the checks for Guy Salmon Bristol so peace of mind.
My garage said that are a lot of places out there with the equipment but not the knowledge to correct any faults properly!

Gaz. I was born with a photographic memory. Shame it didn't develop!

".....do you boys know what the word Nemesis means?...."

2007 2.7 TDV6 in Stornaway Grey.
EGR Blanked.
Re-mapped by Alive Tuning.

Perhaps you could post your impressions and the print outs of before and after alignment?

According to their website the Snap-on alignment system is used, not the Hunter System. 2008 MY Java Black TDV8 HSE

[quote="Paddi"]aaaaaaaagh! No please.......the last thing I intended to do was drive you into the arms of a franchised dealer where most likely the spotty apprentice will screw up your alignment and then you will be charged an extortionate labour rate and advised you have all sorts of other 'faults that need atention'

Look on the Hunter 'align my car' website and there will be a competent place near you somewhere. :lol:[/quote] I would not recomend Kwic Fit Either.My friend who is mechanicaly minded was told he had to have a whole exaust system,as it came in one piece My friend showed them the joins in the exaust system. They then fitted the rear box,that was all it needed.
I had Hunter allinement carried out, and it was purfect Steering wheel straight ahead ,and felt easy on the steering. That was 7 Months ago and no Tyre wear itisme

Brunel Tyres are independent and are a business in their own right.
What I'm saying is that because they know what they're doing, Guy Salmon Bristol send vehicles there when an alignment needs checking.
I've already spoken to the manager and he can do a geometry check/4 wheel alignment plus adjustments for £70.
I'm not well enough informed to know if the Snap On system is better than the Hunter system.

Gaz. I was born with a photographic memory. Shame it didn't develop!

".....do you boys know what the word Nemesis means?...."

2007 2.7 TDV6 in Stornaway Grey.
EGR Blanked.
Re-mapped by Alive Tuning.

Its not the equipment thats at fault its the monkeys that are using it, I can't understand why they get it wrong because they are shown on the screen what to adjust and how much to adjust it... even if you did not put it in TT mode or even a full tank of fuel, there is no excuse to get it wrong with the Hunter kit...

Flack

GOOD NEWS!

I have found a local garage that has laser alignment gear and actually knows what they are on about, only a small independent company and the owner also has a RR, although its a full fat. We had a good chat and its going in next week to be looked at and sort some other stuff out too.

Also to for info's sake, kwik fit didn't have the car in Tolerance Mode but had it in Access Height.