Wheel alignment problems
#1
Wheel alignment problems
I need some input on this. My 2006 XJ with low mileage is wearing the inside of the left front tire. I've rotated the wheels and it is continuing to occur. I have had the car to an independent wheel alignment shop as well as to a large and well known Jaguar dealer twice. Paid out a bunch of money for wheel alignments. The dealer and the independent show both say the wheel alignment is correct and to specifications. Incidentally, the car pulls to the right slightly on most roads. What should I do next?
#2
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Damon /Houston, Texas
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Check for "loaded" suspension deflection in front(if theyve already ruled out a bad front lower control arm bushing, they tend to break on good potholes)
by this is meen when its on the alignment machine and checking front toe. All they have to do is push out "evenly" on the inside front edge of the front itres and see how much defelction is in the suspension (aka mercedes benz alignment style, with pressor bar) i do this by hand and works well. I assume you dont drive to work on the alignment machine but on a road that as you drive it wants to "toe out" the tires. And this causes inside tire wear. There are many jags that when i check this i find i need to toe the front into the red out of spec so that when i simulate what your tires will do on the road driving, the front toe goes into the green(in spec)
i ve said it before and its worth repeating. The alignment machine is a tool, and not the end all. You have to look at the tires and go by what theyre telling you with wear patterns. If theres no issue with broken wornout part. Then check suspension deflection cause "tolerances add up"
kapeesh?
by this is meen when its on the alignment machine and checking front toe. All they have to do is push out "evenly" on the inside front edge of the front itres and see how much defelction is in the suspension (aka mercedes benz alignment style, with pressor bar) i do this by hand and works well. I assume you dont drive to work on the alignment machine but on a road that as you drive it wants to "toe out" the tires. And this causes inside tire wear. There are many jags that when i check this i find i need to toe the front into the red out of spec so that when i simulate what your tires will do on the road driving, the front toe goes into the green(in spec)
i ve said it before and its worth repeating. The alignment machine is a tool, and not the end all. You have to look at the tires and go by what theyre telling you with wear patterns. If theres no issue with broken wornout part. Then check suspension deflection cause "tolerances add up"
kapeesh?
#3
I suspect the dealer, while very large and very well known in the L.A. area, doesn't know what the heck they're doing insofar as wheel alignment issues on Jag XJ's is concerned. Twice and I still have the same issues! In your experience, is this an issue with Jaguar dealers, or do I just have a crummy one? I could take it to another dealer in the area and pay another couple of hundred bucks to have the wheels aligned again... This is already getting far too expensive! Or...do you recommend finding an independent in the area? I like the car but I'm getting to the point that I'm about ready to dump it for something that can be fixed without so many headaches.
#4
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Location: Damon /Houston, Texas
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I suspect the dealer, while very large and very well known in the L.A. area, doesn't know what the heck they're doing insofar as wheel alignment issues on Jag XJ's is concerned. Twice and I still have the same issues! In your experience, is this an issue with Jaguar dealers, or do I just have a crummy one? I could take it to another dealer in the area and pay another couple of hundred bucks to have the wheels aligned again... This is already getting far too expensive! Or...do you recommend finding an independent in the area? I like the car but I'm getting to the point that I'm about ready to dump it for something that can be fixed without so many headaches.
#5
Thank you. I'll print out your thoughts on this and take it to the dealer/service writer and have them make the necessary changes. I do think the young man who operates the wheel alignment equipment is very inexperienced and likely doesn't "think outside the box." It's sad to have to go back over and over to get something like this done.
I do thank you for taking the time to respond to my problem. It is much appreciated!
I do thank you for taking the time to respond to my problem. It is much appreciated!
#6
Brutal - can you clarify something for me. I recently had 2 XJ8 2004 and up done. However, at one major dealer here told me that only Jaguar can do the alignment, mentioning something about the need to plug something into the computer to level the suspension and it takes 3 hrs to do an alignment. Apprently, another Jaguar dealer here outsource their alignment to another company while the 1st mentioned dealer does theirs in-house.
Is this a load of BS?
Any comments would be appreciated, TIA.
Is this a load of BS?
Any comments would be appreciated, TIA.
#7
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Damon /Houston, Texas
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align, alignment, alignments, allignments, allingment, diy, jaguar, jaguars, problems, problemsstype, rear, specification, stypes, wheel, xj6, xj8
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