LR3 Alignment question

[brickpaul65]

I am looking to purchase a lifetime alignment package ($180) at Firestone. I am just curious if anyone recommends only using the dealer for this type of service. I figure alignment is not overly tricky. My dealer provides excellent service but $110 for an alignment and $50 for rotate and balance is a little on the high end (relatively).

Edit: I should have noted that I just installed skids, sliders, and Johnson Rods.

I wanted to make sure the alignment was not such that it really needs to be performed by a Land Rover Tech. Thanks.

 

[PhyrraM]

As long as the shop has the diagnostic tools to put the truck's air suspension into it's special 'tight tolerance' mode for alignments, there is nothing special to the procedure outside of most 4 wheel alignments.

 

[unseenone]

I use the dealer, although I am no longer convinced that is the way to go. Keep in mind height calibration is needed periodically, they need to be able to perform that operation as well. It is not included in an alignment at the dealer anymore, it's an extra charge.

 

[chris snell]

Avoid Firestone at all costs. They are snakes.

 

[leadoverdistance]

IIDTOOL

Seriously.... You can put the vehicle in tight tolerance for your favourite tire shop, lift it, including saving stock height while you can keep another configuration for highway driving. Or, clear faults, flash new hardware to ecu's, and all at the price of two sets of Johnson Rods. Justin from Lucky 8 has the best price, and killer service to boot. No brainer. I think any, and every LR3 owner should own one.

 

[unseenone]

+1 for Justin

 

[KyleT]

****** is tight tolerance mode? I have never done this and aligned tons with no issues ever... Only ones that had issues had blown out bushings which we never tried to align until they were replaced...

And in would discourage flashing and monkeying with the computers without a reason. Modules can brick in a heartbeat....

Just a warning.

 

[Mack73]

Tight tolerance mode causes the computer to auto level when the difference is something like +-2mm. Normal mode is as much as +-10mm

It is possible the truck is sitting out of alignment (front, back, side to side, or even just 1 wheel) when you align the vehicle.

 

[brickpaul65]

Thanks guys. I went ahead and let the dealer do it. I was already in for service, I had them replace the front and rear valve block assemblies. I went ahead and had the apply a the software updates that had not been done yet (I think it was a transmission update and an engine management update). I had installed the johnson rods from Lucky 8 before I made my 5 mile drive to the dealer. I am very happy with the service department there. The managers and technicians have been great to me. I have spoken with one of the tech's and he is an avid enthusiast. The others maybe as well but I have not really spoken with them. They have taken the time to answer my questions and give me tips and instructions on the minor items that I have done myself (thermostat, diff fluid, and upcoming brake job).

I also had my tires rebalanced just in case. I wanted to do the valve blocks myself but between my 2 week old daughter and my general lack of confidence in maintenance arenas, I wussed out.

I will be doing front and rear brakes soon, so that counts for something. I am just not mechanically gifted. The potential down time was scary.

I am saving up for the IIDtool soon. Maybe christmas

 

[nwoods]

****** is tight tolerance mode?

While this may no longer be the most current, it was the official procedure at one point in time:
http://lr3tips.wordpress.com/2008/08/14/new-tire-alignment-specs-for-the-lr3/

 

[nwoods]

Thanks guys. I went ahead and let the dealer do it. The managers and technicians have been great to me. I have spoken with one of the tech's and he is an avid enthusiast. The others maybe as well but I have not really spoken with them. They have taken the time to answer my questions and give me tips and instructions on the minor items

I used to bring giant sized Starbucks coffees directly to the service bay of my local dealer early in the mornings before the dreaded Service Advisors would show up. THe techs would typically reciprocate by letting me have access to the Testbook computers so that I fix whatever I needed, or would help out on certain things if I needed a tool or knowledge. I did this pretty regularly. It was a good system for them and me. Graft works

 

[Eniam17]

Anyone have thoughts on this "tight tolerance" mode? I have seen well respected LR Tech's posting on other forums that the tight tolerance mode is BS relative to it really impacting an accurate alignment. Many have said it comes down to the proper machine and competence of the Tech.

 

[unseenone]

I just go by the procedures outlined in the service manual, rather than opinions. We all know what they say about opinions.

While on the subject of maintenance for your LR3/RRS I would highly suggest the following, even if your vehicle is under warranty and you have to pay extra to perform the services.

Differential Fluids, every 30k miles
Transfer case, every 60k miles
Transmission Fluid, first time 60-75k Miles, every 60k after that.

 

[Eniam17]

The service manual says 10 years 150k for the diff oil changes so I'm definitely not listening to that.

But I am on the same schedule you are for our 2 2008's, except doing the Tcase at the same time. The tcase is so easy and only adds 10 minutes to the service, it's easier for me to keep track of just doing it all every 30k. The front diff is the only one that takes any time really.

 

[Mack73]

Anyone have thoughts on this "tight tolerance" mode? I have seen well respected LR Tech's posting on other forums that the tight tolerance mode is BS relative to it really impacting an accurate alignment. Many have said it comes down to the proper machine and competence of the Tech.

Just get an IIDTool. You'll want it or some other computer system if you go offroad. Then you can set it in "tight tolerance" mode yourself and have it done wherever you want.

Just make sure you don't drive for too long on the tight tolerance mode, it causes the compressor to run A LOT more and can overheat it.