Thread: wheel alignments

My dealer doesn't normally do wheel rotations and alignments as part of the service - I had to pay extra last time I went and requested it.

I normally go to a tyre joint to get it all done... costs maybe $50 or $80 or something so it's pretty cheap compared to a new set of tyres! Should be easy as cake for alignments.... rear end is fixed and there isn't too many adjustments on the front.

I've done 36000km and only rotated the tyres once I think. They seem to be wearing pretty evenly. I've only been rotating 4 tyres. I read something somewhere ages ago that reckoned that 4 tyre rotation was the way to go... plus on some of my cars i've had an odd spare so you know how that one goes.

I've had a wheel alignment once in my Defenders 180000 k life.

Tyres all wear very evenly with 125000 from the original ones.

The only adjustment available on Defenders is toe-in (actually toe out!). This will only change when tie rod ends or swivel components are replaced, or something is damaged.

Any other change in alignment will be the result of wear or deterioration on bushes, best found before alignment is affected, by inspection, or damage such as bent axle housings, lower links at the back or worn wheel or swivel bearings. For none of these is an alignment useful for detecting the actual problem.

In general, tyre wear will signal problems, but except as specified in the first paragraph, alignment is neither needed nor useful. In short, regular alignment checks are simply a waste of money.

Except when replacing tie rod ends or swivel bearings/bushes (and once the track rod), at 580,000km my 110 has never had a wheel alignment. And still wears tyres evenly.

John

Does anybody know if the toe in (out) spec for the civilian 110 is the same as the 4x4 Perentie?
If so what is the factory (or recommended) spec?

Thanks,

Defender Specification... Page 95 (Page 6 of this little pack)

http://topix.landrover.jlrext.com/to...a49d367/en_GB?

Wheel alignment - front
- 10 degree +/- 10 degree

Cheers,

Lou

Originally Posted by Loubrey

Defender Specification... Page 95 (Page 6 of this little pack)

http://topix.landrover.jlrext.com/to...a49d367/en_GB?

Wheel alignment - front
- 10 degree +/- 10 degree

Cheers,

Lou

If you've lifted it it needs a little tweak on those numbers

Toe angle in all beam axle landrovers is set by the location of the tie rod.

assuming standard suspension geometry or not more than a 2 inch lift

If the tie rod is behind the axle you need to out
if the tie rod is in front of the axle you want toe in

the magic number is 0-2mm

remembering which rod is which is easy. the rod from the box to the left side drags the left wheel in the direction you want it to point, the other rod ties both wheels together.