Should have known better than to go to Halfords

[beammeup6375]

Hi folks,

Booked in at my local Halfords service centre to have the surf's front wheels aligned. The camber was visibly out!

Just happened to mention that they need to use 4Runner specs and not Hilux pickup specs for the camber to be told "Oh, we don't do camber here! You need a specialist and there aren't any locally"

I walked off relieved not to have wasted £30 but rather annoyed that they advertise tracking as alignment.

Two minutes on google and 10 minutes drive later I was at Nottingham Alignment Services. £35 later, camber, castor and tracking all reset. The chaps were very knowledgeable about the surf and pulled up the correct specs in seconds. Then proceeded to talk me through everything he was doing whilst he did it.

So, whatever you do, don't book a wheel alignment at Halfords unless you just want your tracking doing!

If you're local, for excellent service go to Nottingham Alignment Services, Basford, 0115 9420843.

Rant (and praise) over!!

Cheers, Beam

[RebelV8]

Wouldn't go to Halfords, full stop.

[andyverran]

Wouldn't go to Halfords, full stop.

There tools aren't to bad, no pun intended....

[MWS]

I occasionally go in for something, in the hope that I won't be as disappointed as the previous time, but always seem to come out wishing that I hadn't bothered.

[RebelV8]

There tools aren't to bad, no pun intended....

Their standard tools are indeed ok, however, while working on a car away from home, I needed a nut splitter when all else had failed, bought one from Halfords which promptly sheared of at the shaft. All they were prepared to offer me was a replacement, no refund.

I used to have one of their torque wrenches with lifetime guarantee, it broke, I called them and explained what had happened, they asked if I still had my receipt, I told them no, not after 7 or 8 years of owning it, They agreed over the phone that I could take it in and they would exchange it. When I got there, they advised that it wasn't one of their torque wrenches, I pointed out the Halfords sticker on it (a bit faded, but perfectly visible), they refused to exchange it as they no longer stocked that model, even when I offered to pay the difference if there was any, they just refused, not interested at all, they said the so called lifetime guarantee didn't apply due to not stocking that model any longer.

Recently called in to my local branch to pick up a reel of welding wire and some gas, only to be told that they no longer sell either as they weren't selling enough of to make it worthwhile.

[RebelV8]

I occasionally go in for something, in the hope that I won't be as disappointed as the previous time, but always seem to come out wishing that I hadn't bothered.

Know the feeling, anything you want / need is always out of stock

[StevenN]

Are those the guys at Basford with the full Hunter setup?
If they are I took my Merc there last year and I will agree they are on the button.
I've been meaning to get the surf done before I knacker the tyres.
If its them I will get her booked in

Cheers

Steve

[beammeup6375]

Hi Steve,

Yes, they have the full Hunter set-up and definitely know what they are doing.

I can't recommend them enough!!

Cheers, Beam

[StevenN]

I will go and give them a try when I get chance.
They are open Saturday mornings which helps
Just a tad hard to find first time though.

Oh and take some matches with you.
Last time I went I had to wait 10 min while they got a lighter for the blowtorch

[oneidadan]

I think the Nottingham Alignment place has garages at two locations last time I went. If you have larger tyres (33s in my case) only one of them will accept you so make sure to mention it when booking.
Do not use tyre4u (also called HawkEye Align) in Mansfield though, proper cowboys