Sunday, Apr 27, 2014 at 11:03
Unlike some, I have very little faith in the ability of wheel aligners who use $20,000 machines and still get it wrong. Blind faith is admirable but doesn't necessarily solve anything.
Perhaps the machine can do it, but the operators integrity and ability is also a large factor. Dealing with such an issue at the moment
If it is wrong it doesn't matter how it is detected as being wrong, it is still wrong.
Since, nearly all if not ALL alignment
places only work to a tolerance anyway, the use of correctly zeroed digital gauges is quite good and can easily better their alleged, "correct adjustments".
Similar gear is used in other spheres of society for accuracy of all sorts of things, why not
suspension too.
I use 3 different types ( where needed) of digital gauges to set front ends and
suspension and it is relatively easy and safe to do it.
Because the owner WILL tighten up bolts and WILL make the alignment within the specs it is far more likely to be correct than little Johnny with the myriad of flashing lights and sparkling LED's to confuse him. Little Johnny also HAS to understand the principles of wheel alignment too. That is a big ask for some of them.
Never
check your brake fluid or change a wheel, that could be dangerous and to change a wheel is right in the thick of it.
PS, the item mentioned is a D40 Navara, aligned on a $20,000 machine and has 0.5 pos camber on L wheel, 0.5 NEG camber on R wheel, 3.1 degrees caster on L wheel axis, and 3.8 degrees camber on R wheel axis.
All of which causes the vehicle to pull markedly left.
The rear axle is also out of square by 3mm on LHS ie, beautifully aligned but made to crab, bum to left, and steering pull to left.
Not bad for a $20,000 machine or perhaps it is the operator.
FollowupID:
814327