Computerised Four-Wheel Alignment Comes to Ponteland

There's another new addition to the workshop at Meadowfield Auto Centre.

From November 2021, we're now able to offer computerised four-wheel alignment here in Ponteland, following our latest investment in workshop equipment.

Wheel alignment is sometimes still referred to simply as "tracking", but modern vehicles can require considerably more than adjusting the front wheels.

Our new computerised alignment equipment allows us to accurately measure the geometry of all four wheels, compare the measurements against vehicle specifications and identify where adjustment may be required.

What is four-wheel alignment?

Wheel alignment refers to the angles at which a vehicle's wheels sit in relation to each other and the road.

Those angles can be affected by everyday driving, including potholes, kerbs and general wear to steering and suspension components.

Incorrect alignment can contribute to symptoms including uneven or accelerated tyre wear, a vehicle pulling to one side or a steering wheel that doesn't sit centrally when travelling straight ahead.

With computerised four-wheel alignment, measurements can be taken across the vehicle rather than simply adjusting the front toe setting.

This gives us a much clearer picture of the vehicle's overall wheel geometry.

More than just "tracking"

Traditional front-wheel tracking still has its place, but it doesn't tell the whole story on many modern vehicles.

By measuring all four wheels, we can establish their relationship to one another and identify whether the vehicle's geometry is within the applicable specification.

Where adjustment is provided for by the manufacturer, the appropriate corrections can then be made.

Just as importantly, the measurements can help identify situations where an alignment problem may actually be associated with worn or damaged steering or suspension components that need addressing first.

Helping customers get the most from their tyres

The investment also complements our existing tyre service.

Meadowfield has been fitting and balancing tyres in Ponteland since shortly after we opened, when we invested in our Bradbury/GEMCO tyre changer and wheel balancer in February 2017.

Four years later, computerised four-wheel alignment gives us another important capability.

If we're fitting new tyres, there's little sense in ignoring an alignment issue that could cause them to wear prematurely.

Tyres, steering, suspension and wheel geometry are all connected, and being able to inspect and measure more of that here at Meadowfield means we can provide customers with a more complete service.

Continuing to invest in Meadowfield

Computerised wheel alignment is the latest in a series of workshop investments we've made since Meadowfield Auto Centre opened in January 2017.

From new tyre equipment in our first few weeks, through to a larger MOT lift in 2019 and the installation of an EV charging point in 2020, we've continued developing the facilities at our Meadowfield Industrial Estate workshop as vehicles and customer requirements have changed.

Now we're adding computerised four-wheel alignment.

It's another service we can provide locally and another investment in the long-term capability of our independent garage.

Computerised four-wheel alignment is now available at Meadowfield Auto Centre in Ponteland.