Tracking

[Mags]

I went to my local tyre guy to get my tracking setup and was really surprised when he said he couldn't do it with his equipment, it needed some specific tool and pointed me to a place that's a fair trek from me, what's going on?
Anyone else had this?
I'm not keen on the Kwik fit etc mob but any reason they can't do this?
Mags

 

[Clem]

Cant think. Is it electronic equipment or old school guages?

I use old school guages (back to front) but they work.

 

[BRAD]

It might be something more simple, if you ask him he may say your track rods fixed one side and adjustable on the other.
I centred my box, fitted two adjustable track rods and done.

 

[Moseley]

Are you mega lowered / narrowed?

 

[Mags]

I'm very slightly lowered but running stock wheels/tyres and he didn't even look underneath. I have a Red9 wishbone setup so fully adjustable track ends on both sides.
I'll have to ring him to explain again, I don't understand.

 

[Mags]

Spoke to the guy and he said its because they don't have a 4 post ramp to get the bus up in the air, he recommended ATS which is pretty close but Ill have to keep an eye on what they are doing in case they try and jack it up somewhere stupid.
God knows what he was on about the first time I spoke to him!

 

[Zcat7]

Can't really understand why ne needs to get it up in the air either. You'd want to check tracking with the vehicle on the ground, not with the wheels dangling in mid air..!? Sounds like you've had a lucky escape Mags.

 

[Moseley]

Can't really understand why ne needs to get it up in the air either. You'd want to check tracking with the vehicle on the ground, not with the wheels dangling in mid air..!? Sounds like you've had a lucky escape Mags.

+1 :shock:

 

[bluenose]

I had my red9 laser aligned no trouble, was £20 and like doing any other car

 

[Mags]

Its weird I've used him for years and trust him more than the big chains, maybe he's thinking I've got some unusual setup.

 

[SHIFTY]

You need a four poster lift so the wheels arnt dangling and you can set up the swivel discs on the ramp and adjust from underneath,sounds like he doesn't want to lie on his back..lazy sod

 

[Mags]

So it wasn't as simple as I thought. I went to ATS, they said their tracking equipment wouldn't fit on my rear wheels as the arch is lower than the top of the rear wheel. They sent me to another place that had something that didn't need to hook over the wheels. This system gripped the edge of the steel wheel in four places. Nice bit of kit, gave me a print out of the alignment as it was, front was easy to sort but one of my rear wheels is out, diagram below.
I looked in the Bentley manual and it seems I need to loosen the 4 rear hub/spring plate bolts and adjust the position of the hub, anyone done this? Bentley shows a special tool, god knows how I'm supposed to get the toe right!

 

[bluenose]

i only had my front setup not the rear. I doubt many people have even bothered to check their rears.

If you want to adjust I'm guessing if you slack the bolts that hold the hub carriers to the spring plate you will be able to move them forward to toe in and backward to toe out. You'll need to be doing this trial an error with that laser system is on though.

I don't think I would bother :msn4:

 

[Clem]

Ive never seen anyone ever have the tool thats often pictured in manuals etc. If you had a patient and helpful contact with the laser equipment, I guess it could be done, but I dont know anyone who's ever really had the rear set up in this way ... Ive never bothered and have never experienced and odd tyre wear. Get the front done right and relax, is my advice.

 

[Zcat7]

I wondered about rear tracking when I stripped my hub off to replace the bearing the jother week. I also saw that tool in the Bently manual but frankly, when I was reassembling everything, I felt lucky to have got the bolts in and the nuts started :shock:

I reckon it would take some serious muscle to adjust it and then how would you know what setting you achieved unless you was at the garage? Sounds like a job for a 1970s main dealer I reckon

Funny enough I was going to ask you how you did yours Mags until I stared reading this thread! :lol: