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Halfords Autocentres - a 5* review (Not)

chadr

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england
I had my track rod ends done a while ago and since then have been meaning to get the wheel alignment done on the truck as the steering was pointing at 11 o'clock at the straight-ahead. One thing or another got in the way - you know what I mean - and this kept getting put back to the end of the to-do list.

I was looking around on Saturday to see if there were any places near me open on the weekend and up popped Halfords who have opened a Autocentre about 1/2 mile away from my house - they had availability the next day (Sunday), so I booked (against my gut instinct) and paid for it all online. My appt was for 1pm next day and I was directed to drop the vehicle off in advance.

So Sunday arrives and after a pleasant morning chewing the fat with fbnss (Nick), who dropped by for a coffee and a dozen cinnamon rolls :icon-wink:, I drove round to Halfords about 12:45 - there was only one guy on reception and he looked at me as if I'd landed from another planet. I said I was the "1pm wheel alignment" - once he was over the apparent shock of an actual customer, he printed and completed a form, which when he handed it to me, I realised, was for another customer and vehicle completely. OK, in fairness it was also for a Toyota - albeit an Auris and any other similarities ended there.

He then proceeded to tell me that it wouldn't be 1pm but "probably after 2pm" as they already had a car in the bay - now given that they close at 4pm on a Sunday, I did have some reservations but because it was so close to home, I thought "what the hell", explained that the steering wasn't straight, left the keys with the guy and walked home.

I got a call about 2:30, to say all done - so I walked down and truck was parked out front. I walked in and the guy on reception handed me the keys, saying that the paperwork was in the truck. So I got in and checked the paperwork - they had entered the truck into their system as 70 series and the wheel size etc was set as 15" etc.

I went back inside and showed the guy on reception their mistake and that they had (probably) used the wrong settings for my truck. The guy's response was basically that the tech would have set it according to the what was "right" for my vehicle, despite what was entered on the form. (Now, in my experience, on the few occasions I have watched the wheel alignment done - the tech enters the vehicle details into the system and it tells the tech what the correct/factory settings are - not the other way round).

Anyway by this time, I knew my Sunday roast was getting cold and as per the quote "Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience" - I thought I'll write-off the £30 and file under "Avoid at all costs".

However as an added bonus, previously due to the steering point at "11 o'clock", the bottom of rev counter side of the instruments (RHS) were obscured by the steering wheel boss. Following the "alignment" it now points at "1 o'clock", so now the bottom of the speedo side (LHS) is obscured.

So, if nothing else, for £30 I've been given a slightly different perspective! :icon-twisted:

Live and learn.
 
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Same experience at a local place (not Halfords) £35 and when it was dry at the weekend i got under to find one track rod fully wound in and the other full out , so i evened them up using string and took the steering wheel off to put it centre . I can't remember which garage did what to leave the steering wheel offset .

And these people are qualified to do M.O.T's :wtf:
 
I'm sorry, did you say that you went to Halfords? I didn't get any further than that I'm afraid.
 
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A few years back I was rebuilding a tractor engine, so here I am on a Sunday afternoon when my piston ring compressor breaks. A quick online search showed one in Halfords, the only place open..Off I went in my oil stained overalls, pick up a fairly specialised mechanics product and also a tail light bulb.. and so follows the question.. "do you need that bulb fitted for you?"
 
When I was an apprentice and shown how to do wheel alignment we centered the steering wheel first, and adjusted the track rods to an even position, then did the fine adjustments on both sides to get to the correct settings, I don’t think the process should have changed much since then? Maybe I can start calling myself an old bastard now, I’m certainly grumpy enough:laughing-rolling:
 
You probably won't be shocked I see it a lot, usually complaining of warning lights on as steering angle is wrong for traction control. It's cheap and most people think get the same quality.

My work charge £150 for wheel alignment, cars have weight added to them to set the ride height to a tolerance and replicate a driver and passenger. Checked over before and tyre pressures set etc. Wheel locked straight and brakes applied to stop the car moving. Adjust front and rear camber and toe as required, data base has model specific setpoints.

I did one today that had been to Kwik fit and complained of poor handling. Took me about 2 hours to get it right.
 
A few years back I was rebuilding a tractor engine, so here I am on a Sunday afternoon when my piston ring compressor breaks. A quick online search showed one in Halfords, the only place open..Off I went in my oil stained overalls, pick up a fairly specialised mechanics product and also a tail light bulb.. and so follows the question.. "do you need that bulb fitted for you?"
I went in last Sunday. I’d just missed the tip by 8 minutes and the bag of ash from the fire had upset 10% of its contents over the boot so I wasn’t in the best of moods. It was after 4 and I thought they were going to be shut but no, open and serving. I got the two wiper blades I wanted and arrived at the counter just a split second after someone with a return or something awkward to take up the only, though rather sweet and nice looking, lass on the till. When finished, both she and the customer apologised to me for keeping me waiting and she was sweetness itself as she asked would I like them fitted. I politely replied that I thought I could manage to which she said ‘I thought you probably could my lovely but I have to ask’.

She completely defused my annoyance at missing the tip and having ash all over my wife’s car. Didn’t get her name but what a great way she had with customers.
 
My apprenticeship was 5 years. My father's 7 years.
These kids go on a weeks course.
It's a reflection of modern Britain.
It's why we can't make things anymore.
 
My apprenticeship was 5 years. My father's 7 years.
These kids go on a weeks course.
It's a reflection of modern Britain.
It's why we can't make things anymore.
Like Kwik fit you mean?
 
Still laugh about a mate of mine paying for a full 4 wheel alignment adjustment on his Defender and how good value it was, as it transformed his handling. Until I pointed out you can't actually adjust the back axle without heavy engineering. Garage was still happy to take his money thought. Strange that...
 
I bought a hammer drill set in Germany at a B+Q style store. At the check out the girl opened the box and started to read the instruction manual. A German tapped me on the shoulder and said "she does not want you to get to UK and find bits missing". In the hotel I had to swipe my card TWICE to open my room lock. A guest in the hotel noticed this and went straight to reception to report it. Along came the engineers who stripped the door and fitted a whole new assembly. I like Germany.
 
It might be my imagination but I seem to feel the front wheel "gripping" the road a bit more since the alignment was done - it feels different but not in a good way IYKWIM.

They were good :)

You're very welcome Nick - though any bystanders may have believed it was a Guinness World Record attempt! :laughing-rolling:

(Don't worry I'm only pulling your leg :icon-wink:.....awesome 80 BTW :thumbup:).
 
I bought a hammer drill set in Germany at a B+Q style store. At the check out the girl opened the box and started to read the instruction manual. A German tapped me on the shoulder and said "she does not want you to get to UK and find bits missing". In the hotel I had to swipe my card TWICE to open my room lock. A guest in the hotel noticed this and went straight to reception to report it. Along came the engineers who stripped the door and fitted a whole new assembly. I like Germany.
ObI?
This is why Germany still make things...
 
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