Four wheel alignment

[Dezzy]

Are the rear wheels ajustable? I used to track cars in ATS although that was 15 years ago, there 4 wheel alinement then was 2 gauges that hook over the rear wheels and the front parts have the light in them. It was not allways possible to get the reading between the 2 front wheels and then line the rears to suit, because the adjustment is on the track end. The tolerances are sometimes + or - 3mm (dependant on make). So it was then possible to line the front wheel to the rears and be within tolerance for the toe in / out on front wheels.

All the laser has done is replace the light bulb that would project a line onto the gauges.

I would use someone reliable but would be reluctant to pay anymore than £50 unless they are able to ajust the rears, fronts and camber (if it's ajustable).

Just because it's an A8 dosen't mean it's anymore of a job to track than anything else like a Land Rover or Impretza and therefore shouldn't cost anymore.

[B@fink]

according to the website........instead of using a light on a guage attached to the rear wheel (tracking) the laser is alignment that uses the centre line of the car and measures 12 angles (3 per wheel?) and make allowances for rim runout then sets the wheels alignment independantly on each axle so no wheels are set up using other wheels as the base line inviting problems. I honestly didn't realise the was a difference between tracking and alignment but it appears thats where the price difference comes from! All i know is when i had a previous car tracked that should have been aligned it handled like bambi on beer, when i had laser alignment done it was like a new one. I know what i'd pay for.........

[Dezzy]

Now that is clever, just goes to show how far behind I am.
3 angles per wheel could be right too Camber, Toe and caster maybe.

That’ll be what you pay for then.
I’ll shut up now.

[IT]

in fairness the RS6 was in a mess, hence the cost.

It had had KW adjustables fitted in place of the DRC, which is good, but they had literally never been 'adjusted'

The problem with adjustables is that you can alter the height, damping etc and unless you get it consistent across all 4 corners, it will handle like a bag o' nails, which the RS6 did. The nose was notably higher in the air than it should be also.

So, they alligned the wheels, suspension, ride height etc, all laser driven with computer print outs, but the proof was in the ride home - OMG - It was a different car.

Interestingly, the RS6 (and many Audis no doubt) dont have much adjustment on the front suspension, so they undid the front subframe and shuffled it about relitive to the chassis to get things in line, seems quite sensible when you think about it, but specialist stuff, you wont get it for cheap money....

[Dezzy]

Undoing the sub frame is definitely a way of centring it all up for sure and like you say not for the numptys to do. I know that Audi Track rod ends seize up for a pass time mostly to do with the position of them I think being right behind the wheel where all the wet and **** goes off the tyre.

So is the rear adjustable on a standard 8’s suspension Ian?

[Conan_the_Librarian]

Just so your all aware before you take you 8s in for alignment.
On the front you can only adjust toe and centre camber. No caster adjustments can be made independently. Although the method of centring camber is by loosening the subframe bolts and levering the subframe left or right. When doing this it can also be moved slightly forward or backward and twisted which will throw out castor and camber. So get someone who knows what they are doing.
On the rear you can adjust toe and camber.

[IT]

^^^^^^^

Thats totally what I was just going to say, but Mike beat me to it

[Dezzy]

Thanks for clearing that up men.

Mine will stay as is, although it would look good with negative camber on the rear.

I’m surprised none of you guys track daying your cars have tried it.

Are the S8 control arms longer than the standard 8’s to allow for the lower suspension or is it not enough to make a difference to the camber.

Here's a Golf with plenty too much

[Singh]

Do you need to get the four wheel alignment done after changing your tyres?

[Dezzy]

No, tyres should make no difference to the track of the car. Driving into kerbs will and some of these pot holes, i thought i lost a wheel the other night.