MX-5 OC Forum

 For anybody in East Yorks area, I'd recommend Ridings officiial photographer 'Mike the Mechanic' see http://www.automotiverepaircompany.co.uk/ in Brough/South Cave.  My mk 2.5 was set up to values Tony from WIM kindly provided and I'm very pleased with my improved handling.  George

Hi!

This garage would be very close to me, but I'm wondering, would they not know the right values on their own? How did you get the values from WIM?

Thanks!

 Hi,

The settings recommended by the alignment equipment supplier would normaly used to optimise tyre wear, but my car was set up to improve handling, as I accepted that tyre wear might not be optimum.  So far tyre wear is OK, since before alignment I had high wear on the outside edge, so the extra camber added for better handling has helped.

 I was cheeky and sent an email to Tony at WIM (http://www.wheels-inmotion.co.uk/) with info on my car (standard 2005 mk2.5 sport but with 15" Toyo Proxy 195/50 tyres).  He kindly sent me the settings that he would advise for my car.

My car has not been lowered (need comfort as I use every day on poor local back roads), so it could not be set to the 'fast road car' set up and used the 'acievable geometry positions'.

My car was OK, but searches on MX5OC forum indicate that the adjusters can seize and brake off, so worth checking before start work that garage has spares available if required.

I hope this helps and welcome to another East Yorks member.

George

Thanks for the info!

I will try and call them at some point for the geometry details, then take them to this place in Brough. 

niggle:

For any other Yorkshiremen who are not over to the west and thus conveniently placed for a trip to Lang's in Bolton, a trip down the M1 to Roddison's Motorsport at Meadowhall, Sheffield are an excellent alternative. As many of you will know, Paul has many years experience in setting up MX-5s for the track and has full 3D alignment facilities. Very reasonably priced as well.

Another plus vote for Paul Roddison!

Set up our 2.5 beautifully. The other thing about Paul is that he alters the set up to take into account your style of driving, the kind of roads you use and your approach to tyre wear rather than just using a "default" setting. He's a great guy to talk MX5s and can carry out all maner of other MX5 related work. It takes about 40-60 for him to do, so you can wait, but if he's busy it's worth just leaving the car and he'll call you when it's done. If you are not from the Sheffield area, the Meadowhall shopping centre is only a few minutes walk away so you can make a day of it.

Finally I managed to get my wheel alignment done. Tony from WIM was kind enough to supply the values he suggested would be best for my car so I could save a massive trip down to Buckinghamshire. I ended up having it done in Hull by Just Car Clinic, who have a 4wheel geometry wheel alignment machine in all their branches, which is good to know. Despite this, at first they set it up very badly, with the steering wheel pointing very much to the right and the feel of the steering ruined completely, claiming they couldn't do any better because a bend in the suspension of the OSF wheel. After this I consulted with Tony, who, again, completely free of charge, out of the kindness of his heart advised me and even gave me his number to call him if things don't get fixed. When I took it back for them to have a second look, they took 2 hours, instead of 25 minutes, like before, and they managed to set it up very well, despite the little bend in the OSF suspension. Now the car feels very planted, very well balanced. 

I have to say, huge thanks to Tony at WIM for all the help throughout this ordeal, without him I would still have a wonky steering wheel and dead-handling car. If you live anywhere in the south, there is no better place to go than WIM, support their great work!