Thread: Wheel Alignment for D3/D4/RRS is not that simple!

Again, so much knowledge on this forum, let me ask a stupid question as a flat earther,surely there is a non ambiguous procedure in the relevant service manual that can be waved at the technician.

Makes me appreciate the Defender approach,
First find a large rock
Align rock
DONE

Originally Posted by Ghost-Who-Walks

Such a fascinating thread. I learn so much on this forum!

My recent experience below - which after reading this thread, is not ideal!

I had 2 new tyres fitted to my D4. When I asked the them about doing a wheel alignment, they gave me no confidence that they understood about any 'special' procedures for aligning EAS vehicles. Note, I did not specifically ask whether they used TTM when aligning, only if they used any special techniques or modes during the alignment process.

So, after some research on here (love this forum), I booked it into one of the tyre specialists that people had recommended. Very friendly, and seemed to be knowledgeable. They do a lot of LR alignments for a nearby mechanic. I got a nice printout of before/after measurements etc etc.

When picking the D4 up, I asked the manager "how he made sure the vehicle was 'at the right height', because a lot places don't do anything special with EAS vehicles".
The answer...

"I leave the car running while I do the alignment, that way you know it's going to maintain the right height"!!

Based on the comments above, it may be 'roughly the right height', but the tolerance of that height will be +/-10mm, as opposed to +/-3mm in TTM!!

So, I guess my options are either to get another alignment ($$'s), or monitor for uneven wear and act based on that (possible $$$'s)!!

Thanks for the info

Rob

It's a bit of a same to hear this as I was going to use this guy for my next one (coming up, with new LCA and tyres scheduled in the next month). For my previous one, I used a local guy to me. He didn't seem to know much about it but said he had the aligner that used to do them for the north side dealer. Car has driven well but drivers rear has worn on the inside down to the canvas while the rest of the tyres are still OKish. I was keen to get a better job done this time. Might be the north side dealer........

Originally Posted by AndyG

..surely there is a non ambiguous procedure in the relevant service manual that can be waved at the technician.

IMO LR were remiss in thinking that owners would always take their vehicle to a LR dealer for any work where diagnostic equipment would be available to set TTM but at least have now corrected the situation and provided a driver-initiated procedure to set TTM in the L405 and L494 owner handbooks.

Originally Posted by BMKal

Thanks for that. Another reason why I will not take my D4 to that dealership.

The other dealership actually puts the vehicle into TTM themselves at "normal" height, and then delivers the vehicle to the nearby wheel alignment business - with the dealership then unlocking TTM once the work has been completed. Mine is booked in for this in a couple of weeks, when the control arms are being done along with 120k service.

This is what EVERY LR Dealership should be doing if they can't do the alignment themselves (not sure if any do). They should put it in TTM and then send it round the corner to the alignment place that has actually had some dialog with the Dealership regarding he correct settings. Alignment guy then sends car back to LR for TTM unlock.


It is possible I suppose that some places that do work for LR don't realise that the car is in TTM when it comes to them. As long as they have the correct settings for the alignment, I guess it shouldn't matter. However, if this innocent ignorance is present, it is possible that the aligner now thinks he can 'do' LRs and offers that service direct to customers, with the TTM never being done.


If they attempt a DIY TTM without a plug in device they are either pulling a shonky or they are ill-informed. In either case I wouldn't let them touch my car.


I've spent a lot of money on my car, I know my local LR does follow the correct TTM set-up before sending to tyre place .... so I just go there.


It's really not that complicated. If the dealership is not doing a TTM, surely they should be getting reported to JLRA?


I am considering getting a device so that I can do my own TTM settings (amongst other things), as I know a couple of local tyre guys that I trust that always do a great job on my wife's sedan.

Originally Posted by Graeme

IMO LR were remiss in thinking that owners would always take their vehicle to a LR dealer for any work where diagnostic equipment would be available to set TTM but at least have now corrected the situation and provided a driver-initiated procedure to set TTM in the L405 and L494 owner handbooks.

It's a start Graeme but what about us poor D4 owners? Are there plans to affect this across the whole air-suspended range do you know?


I'm assuming something had to be modified in the two Rangies to allow this procedure to work and that it wasn't always possible but just never publicised/printed?

The L405 & L494 have a physically different "dynamic suspension" ecu that can contain both the suspension and CVD logic if the vehicle is fitted with CVDs. It has other improvements such as 2 off-road heights with a higher speed limit of 80 kph for OR1, although IMO a poor implementation as OR1 is not selectable per se. OR1 is only 35mm in the RRs or 40mm in the RR and OR2 is 65/75mm for RRS/RR with a 50 kph limit.

I would not expect LR to ever add the extra capabilities to the earlier version ecus.

When I first started taking D3s to Bob Jane tyres in Vic Park (W.A) and had said its in the required mode, they looked at me blank, after I explained it, they said "that makes sense" Now when they ask all customers that bring in D3, D4, RRS if its in its correct mode... they now get the blank looks...

As for the social media / club thing...
Personally I don't see it as a double edge sword, if you are doing or trying to do the right thing by customers as a normal part of your business then dedicated forums and 4wd clubs will always be a good source of business.

Regards
Daz

Originally Posted by catch-22

They had the equipment. They just don't have the knowledge. Even after going back three times they kept trying to compensate rather than search for some other reason as to why it was still not right. Ohh well, live and learn.

So this was at the Land Rover specialist on the Lower North Shore - referred to above?