Wheel Alignment Recommendation in the North West

[MackemExile]

I just scraped through an MOT with an advisory based on some fairly alarming uneven front tyre wear (6-6-2!) and I think a four wheel alignment is probably a good idea.

Anyone know of a specialist in the North West with (a) bang up to date laser equipment, and (b) know what they're doing with Maseratis?

I have read a few threads on here and there seem to be some horror stories about bodged jobs with garages that don't understand the intricacies of Maseratis. I was hoping someone on here has experience of a good news story....

 

[dunnah01]

Autoshield in Manchester

 

[bigbob]

Depends on your car but 6-6-2 is not uncommon on many heavy front engined cars in general and Maseratis' in particular. I agree about only going to someone who knows what they are doing. With another car I have had a bad experience of a highly recommended guy who completely got it wrong due to using the wrong MY settings.

 

[zagatoes30]

There is no doubt that wheel alignment is critical on these cars and incorrect settings not only wear tyres but have a detrimental impact on the handling. By all accounts Autoshield is a good place to start though.

 

[MackemExile]

Thanks all. I'll give Autoshield a call.

Assuming tyres start at 8mm and should be replaced a 2mm, then changing at 6-6-2 means that you only get a third of the potential value from the tyres....and that's considered 'normal' for a Maserati...

Still, no-one ever said it would be a budget motoring experience....!

 

[conaero]

Mines booked into Emblem in Poole to be done, £190 plus VAT and am having it done the morning before Ace Cafe in a few weeks.

My tyre wear was 5 / 5 / Threads!

 

[zagatoes30]

Mines booked into Emblem in Poole to be done, £190 plus VAT and am having it done the morning before Ace Cafe in a few weeks.

My tyre wear was 5 / 5 / Threads!

Emblem did the Spyder when it was in just before christmas, new tyres and alignment transformed the handling especially the front end.

 

[Moz1000]

Yeah - I used Emblem and have had even wear all over fronts and backs and great handling. They specify their own settings.
Moz

 

[bigbob]

It's amazing how car manufacturer's put so much effort into setting up a car's geo and then people just bin it and make up their own settings. I know that the inside front wear on these cars is annoying but it is what it is.

 

[conaero]

...it's like they wanted the tyres to wear out so they could flog you a new set of PZeros for a grand every service.

Ok, I'll shut up now

 

[zagatoes30]

It's amazing how car manufacturer's put so much effort into setting up a car's geo and then people just bin it and make up their own settings. I know that the inside front wear on these cars is annoying but it is what it is.

Given the effort they put in you would expect it to be right. Properly engineered set-ups should not wear tyres unevenly. We know a industry renowned suspension expert who lots of manufacturers use to help them design suspension setups, he spends time working with them and suggests the best setup for a particular set of requirements only to find when the model is released they have changed a few settings here and there and surprisingly now the requirements have been compromised.

Manufacturers should get it right but often they don't. Emblems tweaks improve the feel, response and handling of the front end and do not wear front tyres unevenly. I know which setup I would use.

 

[bigbob]

The power of debate.

 

[conaero]

I have been driving round unknowingly having a broken front offsite spring, it drives lovely now compared to what it did but I have had everything apart so know its miles out.

Emblem will tune it to perfection and am very much looking forward to it being done.

 

[Contigo]

It transformed my car, no more skipping along the road. 7mm out at the front.

 

[alfacorse]

Couple of months ago I decided to check the alignment on my GTS Sport because had some internal wear at the front, and as I live 20km. from Maserati factory before doing the check I've interviewed an internal engineer being involved in veichle dynamics: he told me that the factory data are the most correct ones to get the best compromise between a good handling and a safe drive. But he also admitted that with the factory setup there's too-much wear on the internal side at the front: their choice to go that way was because they wanted to ensure an 'idiot-proof' stability even at 300 km/h and less steering-reactions on bumps, so they've settled the front toe quite 'open'.

Based on these considerations, he recommended to follow the factory setup for all angles except front toe, which has to be settled at 'zero' (neutral). Doing that way he granted that the wear on the internal would be much reduced, the car would handle even better and the loss in stability would be not so relevant.

I did exactly what he recommended and the results were excellent: I did 6.000km. after the new alignment and the wear in the internal has disappeared, the car is faster in cornering at low speed and the stability is still good at least until 230-240km/h. Over that speed the steering gets a little-bit 'lighter' but still acceptable. On bumps the steer now moves a little bit more in my hands, but again it's totally acceptable.
I recommend 100% this setup.

 

[c4sman]

I too am annoyed about inner wear on my GTS and having talked to a well known suspension specialist they told a very similar story as alfacorse in that setting are a compromise. However they also said that most main dealer alignments will simply ensure that the car is within factory settings, where as they can tune still within factory tolerances, but on the "edge" to reduce tyre wear, reduce fuel consumption, and reduce nervousness to white lines. They also said that they really dislike Pirelli P Zero tyres and without changing anything I should move to Michelin supersports as they will give a better feel and likely to last longer. These guys do not sell tyres BTW.

 

[alfacorse]

if you're annoyed about inner wear simply follow the instructions I've given in my post and you'll solve it, without making the car worse to drive.
I was recommended by internal Maserati engineer, who else could know better the situation?

Interesting considerations you did on the Pzero, I'm also not fully satisfied with their feeling and durability, may be switching to Michelin could be an option.

 

[bigbob]

The Michelin's have a higher treadwear index so less wear makes sense but there was a post on Maseratilife mentioning that they tramline more.

 

[drewf]

It's amazing how car manufacturer's put so much effort into setting up a car's geo and then people just bin it and make up their own settings. I know that the inside front wear on these cars is annoying but it is what it is.

I'm not sure that people are just making up their own settings - the modified settings are from a few key indies, some with experience of setting up race cars. I wouldn't presume to just change the settings myself, but I'm happy to go along with modifications that have been tried and tested. It's rather like the engine mapping - that's never going to be producing maximum power from a factory setup, as they have emissions and longevity to consider. For the wheel geometry, it's a compromise between safe predictable handling for any driver and dynamic agility for a driver with slightly more talent; I'm very pleased with the changes made to mine from standard - they are much nicer to drive as a result, and the tyres last longer too

 

[MackemExile]

Autoshield sorted me out. It was waaaaay out on two of the four wheels. That, and new tyres all round has made a noticeable difference to the handling. Now it feels like the car it's supposed to be!