**UPDATE**
Managed to get some funds together and have the Lorinsers wrapped in some new rubber. After recieving a disappointed phone call from Tyre Shopper telling me the tyres i had ordered were no longer in stock, i asked for a refund and went elsewhere. Some phone calls later and i managed to pick up a set of Staggered Nankangs for £380 fitted. caused a little bit more stretch than the Yoki's...
a quick wrinse of the wheels (to get rid of all that lubricant they dash on) revealed an etch in two wheels... considering they were fitted by a backstreet garage i was expecting that to happen. Looking on the bright side of things, one of the wheels already had a little scuff on so i guess i can get that refurbed in a few months time...
Whilst i was splashing the cash i thought i may aswell get my hands on the KMAC's i was begging on about so just short of £400 later and theyre at my doorstep within 48 hours (good job TNT!). Had it rolled into AKS to have them fitted...
Removing the one of the struts proved to be a challenge for Alex @ AKS...
Took a look at the old...
and replaced with the new...!
At this point i'd like to remind you that one of my main aims for this year was to get the car running at close to perfect geomtry for what i use my car for. This is used as a serious daily driver, clocking up substantial mileage on the motorways for work, family and carting everyone else around in. 90% of my driving is done in a straight line, and whilst i appreciate that Toe is a key factor in even tyre wear i wanted to get close to 0 on the fronts with a reasonable 1 degree on the back. Castor i wasnt too fussed about really but ended up with the following results...
i can appreicate the "Before" reading wouldnt be accurate as the camber and castor would be out naturally through the fitting of the top mounts, but if you take a look at the previous posts with my readings itll show a difference of some sort. I'm very happy with this result, and have noticed no serious difference in ride quality. Whilst putting the Lorinsers back on however, i did ask for a further 10mm drop on the fronts so im now 70mm on the backs and 80mm on the fronts. I can appreciate that the camber is as equal on both sides as is possible without removing the domes from the top for further adjustment but i'll run it like this for now and see how it goes.
I can say, the top mounts are really that loud. worth pointing out that on heavy impact on a pothole or crevice in the road it does make a thud but with it being metal on metal with very minimal rubber content its expected... its something i can live with :)
Oh yeah and while the car was there, i explained that i was getting a little annoyed with the Hot Start problems that myself and many other 2.0 TDI owners have to deal with (gets a little embarrasing in car parks when people look wondering what the fudge is wrong with my car LOL!) so i had the starter motor replaced and all is well again! :D
Would like to thank Alex at AKS Tuning in Bedford for all his hard work yet again!!