I posted last week regarding the Geometry set up carried out by a national tyre dealer who I ended up getting a refund from as they could'nt complete the castor set up and it would appear not a lot else was very accurate either. (link below)

Link

Anyway I finally did what I should have done in the first place and took the 'S' down to Chris Franklin at Center Gravity on Saturday.

Chris comes very highly recommended and so I did have high expectations. Needless to say I was far from disappointed.

Chris and Jane are a great couple. The service they provide is second to none and they certainly know how to make you feel welcome.

Getting set up 08.15 in Chris's driveway



I thought this was some sort of mating ritual but Chris assures me its to settle the suspension



This was to replicate me in the driving seat. Not much of a likeness but neccessary to set the geometry up accurately



Chris getting the base line from the original settings so he can see what needs to be done



Some examples of "Carnage" as Chris puts it, supplied by previous customers



Following the base line recording Chris then firstly set up the back end "All Greens"


The rear end of the car did'nt take Chris long to bring within specification but that wasn't enough for Chris. He's a perfectionist and only "cock on" will do for him.

The front end however was a different story. The nearside castor and camber were both seized. Chris managed to free the castor bolt and sleeve but it didn't look like the camber was going to move.

Following on from another cuppa and some sausage sandwiches supplied by Jane. Chris had another crack at releasing the camber bolt from the bush. After snapping two extension sockets (one of them snap on) he finally got the bolt moving and proceeded to complete the setup on the front end of the car. Again massive attention to detail to get the setup as accurate as possible.

I finally left at about three in the afternoon with my car fully set up. Jane tells me I'm now a member of the "all green club."

The car feels fantastic - much flatter and feels more stable when cornering and generally the handling feels greatly improved.

Would I entrust anyone else to set up my car in future - Simple answer "NO"

Ten out of ten for Chris, superb all round service, the whole day was a tutorial and a chance to jump in and help out, much better than sitting in a waiting room.

After Saturday I now feel I've got a working knowledge of my geometry and would recommend Center Gravity to anyone.

I'll post up the finished results when I receive them from Chris.

Andy

 

Great write up and pics andy. Teh running commentary Chris gives is brilliant, he has a way of making a split pin seem interesting.

 

Met him at Donnington on the S2 trackday & had heard a lot about him. Didn't dissapoint. He only turned up to take some test data off a few S's. Incredible, & one of those supremely interesting guys with a mind packed full of facts & figures. I could listen to him for hours..........not that i'd understand a bloody word but still........

Ed

 

This is all true.

I'm one of the 'red' club - too much rear camber & not enough toe-in!

Must give Chirs one of his weights back, next time I see him.

 

did you get it done at his house, and what was the final damage -

 

Awesome attention to detail there.

 

Andy,

Was going to pop down to see ya on Sat, but didn't get a chance.

BTW peeps, do check out CG's www.centergravity.co.uk

Great to see good results, and nice wheels

 

Nick - Chris did happen to mention someone had stolen one of his weights


Five Belliez - Yes I did get it done at his house. The cost if all had gone ok would have been between

 

to Chris as ever!

Ed - are you still in for a Manc Alignment meet when mine is ready?
Man - pushing that web site you built again

 

All for Chris's good work.