I own a 2009 Jaguar XKR Portrfolio Edition Convertible.

I want to have the XKR front wheels aligned for the 1st time since I have owned the XKR. I have owned the car the past 2 years. It has 16,900 miles.

Does this have to be done at a Jaguar dealership, or can the alignment be done at a local independent shop who specializes in automobile alignment?

Is there anything special about aligning the wheels on these cars?

Any input is appreciated.

 

A good alignment shop probably has more skills than a dealer, because that's their main job every day. I've had mine done at an independent, because that's where I take my car for servicing, and it's fine. I don't believe there's any 'special sauce' required.

 

Richard,

You're showing your age! Back in the day, a front-end alignment was the norm because almost all American cars had solid rear axles, which were not adjustable. Independent rear suspensions began becoming popular in the early 60's with American cars, although European cars had them much earlier. Remember the 1960 Chevrolet Corvair and the 1963 Corvette Sting Ray? Both had independent rear suspensions.

Since our XKRs have independent rear suspensions, a front-end alignment is not recommended and would be a waste of money. You'll need a 4-wheel alignment to make sure that the front and rear wheels are "square" with each other.

Here's an excellent primer from Tire Rack: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete...e.jsp?techid=4

I'm surprised that you didn't have an alignment done when you had the Braelin wheels installed on your XKR, especially if you bought new tires. Are your tires showing uneven wear? If so, where?

Note that since you have staggered wheels with directional tires, you can't rotate your tires which means that you'll get around half of the expected tread life. At 16,900 miles on the original tires you're probably pretty close to needing new tires, so I'd wait until you get them to do an alignment.

Stuart

 

The rears on the XK have limited adjustments from what I remember. I would as stated above do all four wheels, but I would start off with a road force balance and make sure you are either sitting in the car or add your weight to the front driver's seat before the alignment.

Alignments really come down to the tech doing the work. I like to sit in the car while doing it so I know they are getting dialed in as close to center as possible...

 

I had my 2008 XKR aligned after a curb meeting by the Jag dealer. A few months later I had the tires replaced at Tire Kingdom and they offered a free computer alignment check and found them to be spot on. So both the dealer and the independent worked for me. And yes, all 4 wheels.

 

For the miles I cover, and often on less than pristine roads, I simply have the Firestone lifetime alignment. I have it aligned a minimum of once a year, and randomly as I nail some of the more abusive canyon twisties or just don't like the feel as tires wear.
Nice to have them in every town, and Ive used them on the road when needed.

2cents

 

Stuart:

I had new Hankook Ventus Evo V12's installed about 2000 miles ago when the new Braelins were installed. I did not have the car aligned at that time. The tires have held up well, and you can still see the Hankook name in the middle of the center thread. I want to have the car aligned. I have an appointment set up with a independent alignment specialist on Wednesday of this week. They have an excellent reputation and have been doing alignments for many years.

I will let them do the work that is necessary. I have informed them of the exact year, brand and model. Tires show no wear or uneven wear. It's just preventive maintenence. I can easily afford the $125.00 charge.

So far I have only put $130 into the car for maintenence since I got 2 years ago. That was an oil and filter change 3000 miles ago.

This where I am taking the XKR....they use Hunter & Tru Align equipment.

http://www.bngtotalalignment.com/index.html

I will let you all know how it all works out.

 

Wheel alignment completed today.....all 4 wheels...using state of the art computerized TruAlign system.

Car drives as straight as an arrow. Shop recommended to complete once again after driving another 15,000 miles or at 31,856 miles.

Cost was $93.08 which included all sales taxes.

Glad I had this done. The XKR is certainly a "luxury" ride. Smooth as can be.

I also learned today the rear wheels of the Jaguar XKR have no adjustments that can be made.

 

rich the only adjustment I see on my 2012 xkr is for rear toe. Any other adjustments would have to be shims similar to the front . Most of the time usually only Toe is the area that gets knocked out. You got a good price as I am seeing $150 from alignment shops and $175 from Jag dealers. Also did you get a read out of what the setting were before and after the adjustments. And by any chance did they check the tires for balance again.

 

Jagtoes:

Yes, I have a readout of the before and after since the machine used for the alignment was a state of the art computerized TruAlign system.

They did not rebalance the tires as the tires are new with less than 900 miles when they were put on and balanced.

Yes, the price was very good.

Living in New Mexico has it's cost advantages for housing, retail, many different services and real estate taxes. We are still an undiscovered state with a population of only 2,085,000 inhabitants.

 

Just had 4 wheel alignment done at Dealer with the install of new 245/40-19 MPSS on the front and 295/35-19 Pirelli Corsa R/L on the rears. Cost was $145 in mid-atlantic region. Satisfied with cost and performance of Dealer considering that the lower $100 price mentioned previously doesn't consider my location and there is an advantage to having Jaguar specific techs working on PURRRLL, especially if the car is still under warranty.

It's true there are many times independent non-OEM services can be cost effective, but there are other times this is not the case. In my case, the extra $50 is nothing compared to having an experienced Jag Tech doing my work. Besides since PURRRLL is a CPO, if there is a problem with the front suspension as was the case with the wear as shown on the tires (5/32nds tread across the tire but inside edge was showing cords), they'll repair any suspension/alignment problems and cover the cost (in most cases) without having to set up separate appointments and, thusly, separate downtime for PURRRLL in this great weather; not to mention that I have to travel 50 miles to my preferred Dealer.

 

Thanks for the info Rich! I have to bring mine in for an alignment next week. We took a drive out to Montauk last week and noticed the car pulling a little to the right on the highway. Checked the tire pressure and that was fine. I'm taking the car on Porsche Club Rally in 2 weeks, letting my wife drive, and she remembered "you better get those front wheels aligned!" : )

 

Uhm, It ALWAYS depends on who is doing the alignment, and I prefer someone that works on YOUR MODEL CAR every day and we know what they end up liking. Not just for going straight, but even tire wear. I comphensate for what the road will do to suspension geometry since thats what you drive on and not a alignment machine. AKA Mercedes pressor bar alignment tool.
oh and THERE IS ADJUSTMENT FOR BOTH REAR TOE AND CAMBER ON YOUR CAR. THEY WOULD KNOW THIS IF THE WORKED ON JAGUARS. Or at least read the instructions on how to do a Jaguar which are on the Hunter alignment machine.