Four wheel alignment at Braunton Engineering
Four Wheel Alignment Devon
Braunton Engineering use the renowned dealer tool, the Beissbarth Microline four wheel alignment computer to correctly set up the suspension geometry of the Porsche 911, 996, 997, 928, Boxster, Cayman, Cayenne and top marque sports cars; Ferrari, Aston Martin, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, Lotus, TVR. It is a computerised, infra red sensor technology machine with separate processor machine incorporating four ccd cameras. The cameras attach to each wheel and simultaneously fire an accurate measurement of the wheel's hub location to the computer for analysis to the particular models factory geometry settings. Porsche four wheel alignment in Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, SW at Braunton Engineering
High performance sports cars require accurate geometry set-up to yield the best from the chassis and suspension & tyres for consistent handling performance. The team recommend a geometry check every two years pending mileage/usage.
When to seek four wheel alignment?
- Critically, are the tyres wearing evenly?
- Any handling issues?
- Does the vehicle pull strongly to one side?
- Does the car stop in a straight line?
- Has the vehicle been four wheel aligned in the last 20,000 odd miles?
- Is the ride height normal or has it been changed or has changed with time?
- At major service?
Geometry checking is crucial if you have uneven tyre wear or if the suspension has had any changes made to its components or if an accident or kerb has been clipped. Ideally the car should have four wheel alignment when four new tyres are fitted. The Beissbarth machine is incredibly accurate and will show a difference in reading of the geometry between part worn tyres and the with new tyres fitted. Braunton Engineering charge £90+vat to check the four wheel alignment and this includes any minor adjustments to the vehicle. The charge increases if major adjustments have to be made or if the bolts and nuts are seized and require additional time and effort to release (bolts tend to suffer from corrosion and with time ‘weld’ themselves to the suspension making adjustment time consuming).
If anything has been changed with the suspension and steering, the alignment should be checked. If you are experiencing uneven tyre wear, pulling to the left or right, a steering wheel off centre, or poor handling, you should have this checked as soon as possible. If you have your suspension uprated with springs, shocks, or coilovers, you should have an alignment done at the same time, or shortly afterwards.
Sometimes Braunton Engineering experience cars with uneven tyre wear which are correctly aligned when measured on the Beissbarth machine. Uneven tyre wear can be due to a routine of turning on and off of ones drive on a regular basis - when the front wheels are turned to full lock the angle of the wheel is exaggerated and this causes high wear to the outside/inside edge...over a period of time a wear pattern can form showing excess wear on the tyre(s).
