So went to get a new tyre valve fitted (as it was leaking) and also get my tracking done as she's pulling to the left...

 

So off to National Tyres and Autocare who I've used many times in the past.

 

First the guy couldn't disarm the alarm / immobiliser to start the car, so ok...I go out and explain this and he starts the engine and drives in.

 

About 5 - 10 mins later the guy explains he cant get the wheel off, as they don't have a socket small enough to fit around the nut (which is fair enough, as the space around the nut is simply too small to fit normal sockets in, but this IS a garage!), so I give him a socket I borrowed from my dad, perhaps the only socket in the world that fits. lol

 

New valve fitted, he pulls my Zed up to the ramp, another guy watching for him, only to tell me that my Zed won't fit on the ramps! Surprised; I ask "too wide?" he explains its the skirts, by which he means the front bumper (in retrospect I'm wondering if he mean't my sideskirts, but then he didn't even manage to get the front end on, so that doesn't make any sense). He explains he can't reverse the car on either, though he didn't try this. So I asked if he knows anywhere that can do it but he doesn't.

 

My car is running stock suspension (as far as I'm aware, the shocks / springs don't look special in anyway). So I had to leave....car still pulling to the left.

 

Guess I'll try Kwik Fit which is up the road from work...

 

Never expected this. Anyone else have this problem?

I always use independents - much better service and quality of work normally and cheaper.

Go somewhere that has an MOT ramp. They usually sit flush to the floor so there should be no issue getting in onto the ramp. I use National usually, been to my local National a few times and they know me and my cars now. Always a good service and never rip me off.

I can never get on any ramp lol!!!! At my testers i gave them some big chunks of wood for e to drive up. I have never had a car that can get up a ramp except for the bm lol!!!

Dont take it to kwikfit,itll be worse than you started with.

I can never get on any ramp lol!!!! At my testers i gave them some big chunks of wood for e to drive up. I have never had a car that can get up a ramp except for the bm lol!!!

 

Well...at least I'm not the only one...lol

There's a guy not far from here, an independent guy, he has ramps but not sure if he does tracking etc, but worth a shot.

 

Do you think I should play around with the tracking myself, just a few turns, or am I likely to make things worse? Surely all those laser guided things are just for show, like xmas tree lights! lol :P

I would not touch the big chains for wheel allignment on a 300zx mate. As said, find a local independent specialist as the grease monkeys at quack-fart et al have no idea about any car that is not run-of-the-mill.

 

Hell, National Tyres could not get the wheel allignment right on Julia's Rav-4 after 4 attempts. All I got was the excuse that "it is really hard to get the steering wheel straight on a 4x4.....:blink:"

 

I took it to an independent outlet that has a proper 4 wheel allignment bay and 30 minutes later it was done right. 1st time!

 

Richard:thumbup1:

I can never get on any ramp lol!!!! At my testers i gave them some big chunks of wood for e to drive up. I have never had a car that can get up a ramp except for the bm lol!!!

 

I did the same. Just a couple of bits of 3"X2" is enough. Mines low as fook on Teins.

just get your own & do it yourself! Thats what I done! :lol:

 

 

 

Well - kind of, its where I work but I ordered the thing!! :tongue_smilie:

 

Just need to convince them we need a dyno now! :w00t:

 

Also remember that on the front only the tracking is adjustable as standard - rear both track & camber can be adjusted.

 

I would not let kwik krap align my pushbike LOL! As mentioned try to find a local independant that has a 4 wheel alignment bay. Good luck!

Can't get mine on some ramps - usually OK if I reverse on.

whilst I laugh at the fimiliarity, I wince at some old memories. Until you are fully at home with the vehicle and the ramp you dont have the bravado to just raise the damn car how you think. (I suspect most Kwik shit fitters are young & National Tired cos was out late last night)

Please rememeber that is it is better that they didn't. Or would you rather they practiced on yours.

but I do LIKE that you are willling to do it your self. All you need is a straight stretch of flatness. You can learn this skill quickly and always make minor adjustments a week later. 1-First off make sure you can release the nuts on the rods 2- drive off and HANDBRAKE to a halt 3- a plank of wood will do, are the wheels flaring? (bad)or slightly pointing to centre..good.. (judge against rear wheels for this)half a turn of the nut is a good gauge of adjustment. 4- is the steering wheel straight? 5-getting no where.. you have a crashed car and need new parts if cannnot live with the left steering.

THATS A SHORT VERSION BUT i SAY GO LEARN. YOU WONT REGRET IT.!!!

NB: there is a thread about adjustable parts to replace/stop steering askewness. some weathered soul may recall it.

^^^^^^^ You should post more often. Behind that 'laid back larry' impersination is a font of knowledge. And with a certain 'wit' too. I like.