Aligning the wheels

[R Photon]

A while back I went into Bob Jane for a wheel alignment and i was told because I put the 17's on its stuffed the alignment to the point where a basic alignment can't align the wheels properly anymore.

The dude said I needed some sort of bar that basically goes under the bonnet but sits above the engine and this helps align the wheels.

Now I have totally forgotten the name of this 'bar' and was wondering if anyone knows the name of it.

Cheers

[hakhawk]

ok, thats a strut brace, ive got one on mine, it mainly keeps the strut towers straight on cornering, etc.

what you want is adjustable strut tops, so they can adjust the camber and castor correctly, so you dont scrub out ur tyres.

its usually lowering the car that changes the alignment though, not changing wheels. how low is the car again?>

[VNCalais98K]

Yeah... changing wheels wont do dick for camber alignment. Its only changing the ride height that will, and then thats only by adjusting the springs, not just by having bigger wheels.
If you have 17s with the right profile tyres it shouldnt do diddly squat

[fnlow1]

i wouldnt be taking my car back to that place if they are telling you that ya need a strut brace to align your wheels?

[VNCalais98K]

Yeah. strut brace only keeps wheel alignment constant during cornering to maximise contact with the road. It is completely useless except for wank factor when your car is straight, stopped or a 4 cylinder turbo... (haha i just made that last one up as a dig, but meh... details details)
Bob Jane is not a business i would part money to.