Amazing wheel alignment in West Yorkshire (Leeds)

[Fred44]

Over the years I have used many companies for wheel alignment and traveled all over to find somebody with the best equiptment and skills.

For a while I was travelling all the way to Nottingham (about a 160 mile round trip). I then found a good garage in Huddersfield which was closer. There was a company in Bradford and also one in Halifax I once tried. All had specialist Hunter equiptment.

In isolation I was quite happy with them all apart from the one in Halifax who charged a fortune (£160) and didn't even seem to make my car at the time (a BMW 3 series) handle consistantly, nor did I even get a printout afterwards at that place.

Three of the cars - An Integra, TT and now Fabia VRS have always had an issue with a slight wondering to the left. The previous garages had always done what was needed to get all the toe, camber, caster etc 'in spec' and green on the charts. Some things like camber and castor always annoyed me because none of these companies went that extra mile and tried to get them perfect, they just left them within the tollerances.

Whenever I brought it up I would be told it wouldn't matter or it's simply not adjustable.

Well after I had my new Fabia done in Huddersfield and it was still pulling to the left I decided to try and find a new company who had the same attention to detail as me and wanted to get it perfect, not just there or there abouts. The thing that really bugs me by the way is I was willing to pay for the previous companies to put the extra time in, but they just never cared.

After a post on here and a few other forums I was pointed in the direction of ABC Car Services in Leeds ( http://www.abc-carservice.co.uk ) so decided to give them a try.

I called Peter and what a breath of fresh air it was!!

We spoke on the phone for about 10+ minutes and he explained in great detail what the issue was likely to be, how they have seen it before on other cars and how he would even check the car for free.

Straight away it was obvious this wasn't the usual "just bring it down mate and we will stick it on" company, but one that was not scared of putting the time in and wanted the customer to not only be happy - but understand it all.

I went down, the car was test driven first to see what the issue was (I have never had a company do this), then all the suspension was inspected (again nobody had ever done this, they just put it straight on the machine). Peter showed how the console bushes had been changed but the brackets had not been put on in identical places to how it came from the factory. I looked and could see there was a circa 0.5mm mark where they had once sat.

He explained in depth how this would be causing the issues with castor, camber and subequently cause the pulling issue. To be honest a lot of it I didn't understand but he spoke with so much passion it was just obvious he knew not only what things were and should be, but how it all interacted and effected the handling.

The alignment kit was put on and this showed exactly what the other garage found (things in spec, but not perfect). He undid some bolts, wiggled the cradle (or whatever that big bit at the bottom is called) and you could instantly see it sort of snap back into place. The machine showed how not only the castor was now perfect but the cambers were symetrical.

It was all done back up and he test drove the car again. I could tell just from the passanger seat how it was no longer pulling. He asked me to then drive the car to make sure I was happy and indeed I was!!!

The car is now brilliant, it not only drives perfeclty straight but even the handling has had a noticable improvement. Left to right consistency is now spot on and it just feels more planted and fluid.

I was that impressed I took our TT and daily Mondeo down to be done. He even swappewd some wheels around and fitted a gearbox mount for free while the cars were up on ramps.

I'm truely amazed by this company and I can MASSIVELY recommend them to anybody, I even paid them extra I was that taken back by the work! Although.... you could probably tell that already form the time I have put in to write this huge post

[j0hn]

How much was the work? I assume less than £160.

[Fred44]

£50 although if the car is a total pain or needs loads of adjustments he will probably charge a bit more just because of the time needed. On my Fabia and including time talking to me about it all there was well over an hour so it was dirt cheap really. Too cheap in some wats but he was saying how he wanted to build a reputation up, so fair play to him for putting all the time in.

[giandougl]

Wish this garage/fella was closer.

My Fabia VRS has been pulling left since new in 2005.

Seems this garage/fella will soon have a great clientele.

[bluebeat]

That Garage sounds impressive, Most just want to rook you these days and smile as they rob you blind and fail to perform. Worth noting. You mention that the bushes have been changed previoulsy but were they standard bushes or one of the upmarket type.

[Fred44]

They were standard and fitted by a Skoda dealer.

[Phil-E]

Good to know.

Once I have replaced all the bushes I will get in touch and get it done there.

Nice to hear a positive experience.

Phil

[ChrisRs]

Less than a mile from my work in Pudsey

Thanks for the post

[eccleshill]

This echos my findings of ABC

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/217475-4-wheel-alignment-in-leeds-bradford-area/

- they are worth a visit!

[blueR36]

Went to see them today for a sqeek from rear bushes. Peter loosened the nuts then re tightened. I had lowering springs fitted some time ago and it started to sqeek after that in the rain. He said some garages re tighten the nuts whilst it is still hanging, rather than sat on the wheels. Much tighter back end and I went over speed bumps and seems quit so far, no charge as well. They know their stuff, he worked in the states on muscle cars as well, and 2 R32`s in there as well

[blueR36]

Went back today, to check everything on the machine. My car had negetive rear camber ( needs adjusting if you have lowering springs) and nearside toe was pointing left. we went for a drive , then back again for some more adjustments, then he took me on a road, dual carriageway where one side, the camber is like britain, and very slightly pulls left, then the other way is like the camber in mainline Europe , so pulls very slightly to the right. Then you don`t need the printout you can feel it is spoton , turns like a gocart now and no understeer at the same speed i was getting it bad on tight roundabouts in the Rain. Peter and his colleages really know their stuff and explain in laymens terms about Tyres suspension sett up etc, AND the best bit I am getting 7 mpg more out of a tank so far. I cannot recomend them more highly

[mantamad]

I have just been to ABC Car service today and what a brilliant job Artur has done on my Octavia Wheel Alignment!!! He doesn't give up until he has got it perfect. The car now drives and handles much better.

Many Thanks

Simon

[mikey vrs]

70 Mile round trip for me but well worth it,4 wheel alignment done on my octy,guys know their stuff,have the right equipment,friendly,they do a lot of octys for alignment.

[Nick P]

Thanks for the recommendation. have tried to use the legendary Andy Turner down Kirkstall road but we couldn't get my car onto his ramps (front ways hit the bumper, backing it on hit the fuel cooler) and his old school sensors wouldn't fit between my tyres and arches, so I've been using Nottingham Alignment Services (still had to use planks of wood to get on and off their ramps though).

Next time I'll definitely try these ABC guys. What are their ramps like? The pics on their site look encouraging.

[skomaz]

Nick, (and those in Sheffield)

It might be worth having a chat with Paul Roddisson down on Shepcote Lane (Roddisson Recovery) as I know he has invested in 4 wheel alignment kit to set up his race MX5's. He's a great guy - very helpful and knowledgable. He looks after my MX5 (servicing, bodywork and new Koni suspension etc.) and has also done work on my Fabia. He also knows his way around the Octavia as there is a local NHS depot in the same yard and I've seen him working on thier fleet ars which include Ocatvias.

He's certainly more local...

[Nick P]

Ah yes Rodders. I've not been down there. I should give him a go though. Painter Dave from Deepcar Autobodies (smashing bloke himself) recommended him to me a while back.

[blueR36]

I have seen some slammed R32 go on fine

[allias]

We had 2x R32 with "1 finger" gap on 18" wheels and those drove on with no problem. With our ramp extensions we were able to sort all lowered vehicles so far.