wheel alignment - what's included?

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Ares1000101

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Hello internet friends

Have a question...

Wife took her Tiguan 1st gen to repair a flat tyre, and also do wheel alignment as the car was pulling to one side.

They show her on the screen that they can fix the angles that are out, on the lower section of the screen (currently in the red), see attached.
However, the upper section of screen (not sure what it means) they need to use a different tool and this is an additional charge of R1000 to rectify.
See screenshot of the quote description. I told her not to do this yet.

What's your thoughts?
 

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Ares1000101 said:
Hello internet friends

Have a question...

Wife took her Tiguan 1st gen to repair a flat tyre, and also do wheel alignment as the car was pulling to one side.

They show her on the screen that they can fix the angles that are out, on the lower section of the screen (currently in the red), see attached.
However, the upper section of screen (not sure what it means) they need to use a different tool and this is an additional charge of R1000 to rectify.
See screenshot of the quote description. I told her not to do this yet.

What's your thoughts?
Click to expand...
The quote says bending, so what exactly is bent on the vehicle that they need to fix..?
 
Ares1000101 said:
Hello internet friends

Have a question...

Wife took her Tiguan 1st gen to repair a flat tyre, and also do wheel alignment as the car was pulling to one side.

They show her on the screen that they can fix the angles that are out, on the lower section of the screen (currently in the red), see attached.
However, the upper section of screen (not sure what it means) they need to use a different tool and this is an additional charge of R1000 to rectify.
See screenshot of the quote description. I told her not to do this yet.

What's your thoughts?
Click to expand...
Nope.
Go and get it done at a reputable company.
TWT in Kyalami.
 
Has she had a accident? If its a frontwheel drive car, the alignment is normally majority done there however the rear wheels cannot be adjusted as fine. Saying that though, the only time it gets so bad in normally a collision of some sort.

Toe

What is Toe? Toe is a measurement that determines how much the front and/or rear wheels are turned in or out from a straight-ahead position. The amount of toe, whether it's toe-in or toe-out, is expressed as the difference between the track widths as they are measured at the leading and trailing edges of the tires.

Camber

This is the inward or outward angle of the tire when viewed from the front of the vehicle. Too much inward or outward tilt, also known as negative and positive camber, respectively, indicates improper alignment and will need to be adjusted.

www.bridgestonetire.com

What You Need to Know About Tire Alignment

Find everything you need to know about tire alignments from the experts at Bridgestone, including what it does, when to have it done, and more.
www.bridgestonetire.com www.bridgestonetire.com
 
To put it real simple, normally alignment is adjsuting parts around the tire. If it is so badly out of range, then its no longer adjustments but actual force that needs to be applied and normally chassis or some form of straightening. Thats the extra charge but I would really get a second opinion. Never had some random wheel alignment place tell me they can straighten my chassis, tell you of the problem ,yes, but the issue is then mechanical/body thereafter.
 
Kosmik said:
Has she had a accident? If its a frontwheel drive car, the alignment is normally majority done there however the rear wheels cannot be adjusted as fine. Saying that though, the only time it gets so bad in normally a collision of some sort.

Toe

What is Toe? Toe is a measurement that determines how much the front and/or rear wheels are turned in or out from a straight-ahead position. The amount of toe, whether it's toe-in or toe-out, is expressed as the difference between the track widths as they are measured at the leading and trailing edges of the tires.

Camber

This is the inward or outward angle of the tire when viewed from the front of the vehicle. Too much inward or outward tilt, also known as negative and positive camber, respectively, indicates improper alignment and will need to be adjusted.

www.bridgestonetire.com

What You Need to Know About Tire Alignment

Find everything you need to know about tire alignments from the experts at Bridgestone, including what it does, when to have it done, and more.
www.bridgestonetire.com www.bridgestonetire.com
Click to expand...
4motion.
Biuggt vehicle 2nd hand, but not been in an accident. Unless it was very well hidden. There's nothing to suggest it's been in an accident.
 
Ares1000101 said:
who knows. but from how they were explaining it to her, it wasnt an unusual thing, but just required different tools
Click to expand...
Never heard of a vehicle requiring more specialized tools in a alignment. It's either adjustable or requires straightening ( they calling it bending on the invoice ) and if thats needed, very likely there was some form of collision, and judging by those readings , a rear passenger sidish one I think.
 
Scary thought, back in the day straightening involved them attaching something to your chassis and the other end to a hook in the wall and basically pulling.
 
Sounds like they're trying to sell her blinker fluid. It's also possible there's been a collision with a pavement or something which has knocked the suspension. Would also explain it pulling.
 
Well if it needs to be done then get it done. As long as the issue is resolved afterwords why not do it? Compared to what you pay for the car it sounds like peanuts to have it drive properly. Let them worry about fixing your car as they are the experts and that is why you took the car to them.
If you feel like they are dodgy take the quote and results to SupaQuick or whatever and ask them what they would charge.
 
RedViking said:
Well if it needs to be done then get it done. As long as the issue is resolved afterwords why not do it? Compared to what you pay for the car it sounds like peanuts to have it drive properly. Let them worry about fixing your car as they are the experts and that is why you took the car to them.
If you feel like they are dodgy take the quote and results to SupaQuick or whatever and ask them what they would charge.
Click to expand...
It will be done don't worry
The question is more about should it have been done as part of wheel alignment or not? I don't want to pay extra for something that I should've been included.
I'll go for a second opinion, just wanting as many opinions and insight from the myBB.
 
Ares1000101 said:
It will be done don't worry
The question is more about should it have been done as part of wheel alignment or not? I don't want to pay extra for something that I should've been included.
I'll go for a second opinion, just wanting as many opinions and insight from the myBB.
Click to expand...
That is how TWT does things I why I got tired of using them, they always did things in part and never up front with their fees.
I just go to Supa Quick and before they do anything, I know what it will cost me. I refuse to use TWT.

It might not necesarry be much cheaper, but at least I know from the start there are no hidden fees.
 
Ares1000101 said:
It will be done don't worry
The question is more about should it have been done as part of wheel alignment or not? I don't want to pay extra for something that I should've been included.
I'll go for a second opinion, just wanting as many opinions and insight from the myBB.
Click to expand...
If its a form of chassis or axle straightening etc, not normally part of alignment no.
 
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