Had alignment done yesterday by Chris Franklin at Center Gravity, after recommendations from this forum.

Verdict: First rate, I can add my thumbs up to all those already given. Chris was very professional, VERY meticulous, more than happy to answer any questions, no matter how silly. Kit is very impressive too.
I'd also say he's excellent value for money - I expected to be charged more than I was, since I was there most of the afternoon and half the evening (also had bolts done - see other thread), yet he was more than fair with the invoice...although I expect at the moment he's trying to build a reputation so wants as much goodwill as possible. Nonetheless, he doesn't seem to be the salesman sort, but someone with a real passion who enjoy's what he does (lucky b'gger! ).

In summary: Alignment wasn't cheap compared to others in the market (close to main-dealer rates), but was excellent VFM as his kit is better than main-dealer kit and his attention to detail is a level above main dealers.


As for the car: Fantastic!!!
Significant reduction in castor has given a LOT more steering feel, giving me a lot more confidence in the car and the front-end in particular. Directional stability seems largely unaffected, and turn-in does not seem to have suffered. I would recommend this change to everyone (5deg30' positive) - the 'granny-spec' UK-revised settings do the car no favours at all.
Reduced rear camber and toe-in (near the Honda-spec-limits) have emphasised the passive rear-steer on the car, giving it a cornering attitude that 'teg owners will find wonderfully familiar.

In short, I now have what I wanted all along - a RWD 'teg! I'll need to do a few more miles, in all conditions, before giving a definitive summary, but the drive home was a revelation. Wonder how long the tyres will last now?!?

 

This is what I've been saying all along.

But who took any notice, far king nobody!

-Far King Nobody, that's who took any notice...

The difference between correctly aligned & unequal alignment makes all the difference in the world to the car.

Each should be done annually, & preferably by Chris Franklin!

 

got a link or address?

 

http://www.centergravity.co.uk/
Website under construction, only contact details.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gdj/set...7594121364078/
has some pics of him at work.

 

Get it done as soon as you can.

The car feels absolutely fantastic afterwards.

There are a couple of threads singing Chris' praises, worth a read - is search working?

 

wingnutLP I am sure someone will provide Chris's details (I don't have them to hand at the moment) (***edit, someone already has) but we are possibly looking at organising another day in the near future around the M25 / M1 interchange area.

If there is sufficient interest then we could do another 4 (maybe 5) in a day which would keep the costs down if you were not wanting the additional cost of a 1 on 1 with Chris.

Anyway, I will discuss with Nick to see what the options are and we can take it from there.

We were able to do a few other small jobs during the day so it wasn't only the alligment's going on, this can be arranged again for next time.

 

I listened!

Also don't put optimum geo on put the workshop geo on!

 

I would definately be interested especially as I work 2 minutes from the bottom of the M1!!

What is the approx cost?

 

Oh absolutely - 'optimum', or 'granny-spec' makes the steering syrupy and gives you far too much grip front and rear. IMHO for any decent driver with rwd experience it's more dangerous than the factory set-up.

I went for a mixed set-up:-
1.5deg rear camber, 20' rear toe-in (std. camber, minimum toe)
5.5deg front castor, 0 front toe, and 0.5deg front camber (std. camber and toe, near-minimum castor)
Initial thoughts are very good...I might go more extreme in the future (less camber), but for now it feels just right.


Wingnut - Chris charges

 

Sounds good. I might try and set-up a Berks Alignment meet, assuming Chris will travel this far.