Never Underestimate The Value Of 4 Wheel Tracking!

[Yimkin_FJ 0]

Just had 4 new tyres fitted - Pirelli P6000's, 195/50/R15 on 1.9 alloys (I have a 1.6) to replace old uniroyals that were on the car when I bought them. Tyre choice based in part on archived posts here, so thanks!

 

Now I know new tyres make a difference, but since I bought the car it has felt a bit 'sketchy' and suffered from serious torque steer on the power, especially on cats eyes when overtaking. I got a 4 wheel alignment check and adjust (25 quid) at the time, and it came out as 3 degrees out on the front - adjusted to correct values it has absolutely transformed the car - well worth it!

 

Just so you know, I got the pirellis for 34 quid each fitted, balanced (with stickies of course) and valves - a nice change from my old porsche!

 

Chris

[huxley309 0]

Funny enough my 309 is going in for this tommorow as it drifts slightly to the left

 

last time it felt amazing so yeah it makes a difference alright

 

Done by laser all for...£20!!

[Ahl 4]

4 wheel alignment? You can only adjust the front two.

 

I guess its good to know incase the rear beam or anything is dodgy though.

Good call on the tracking - its good once you know how much difference it makes.

[Jonmurgie 2]

Nice one... I'm always trying to recommend a good wheel alignment when people post up issues or have fitted new/lower suspension etc.

 

Yeah OK the 205 can't be adjusted on the rear (easily) but as Ahl says it's good to know the car is straight and it will also point out how much camber your beam is running

[hengti 2]

GTis are v sensitive to tracking adjustment

 

 

didn't think you could adjust the (std) rear at all though - ?

not w/out a large hammer anyway!

 

protyre use the most impressive high st wheel alignment kit i've ever seen - you get a full printout of alignment angles and such - gives you a list of things you can't adjust though!

 

most places have these four wheel alignment laser jobbies these days - best just to turn up and ask them to set it to the book settings

 

i get mine done so often that i've thought about getting my own tracking plates - does any one use these? and are they accurate?

[205_sunderland 4]

my wheels are visibly out of place if i look at thr car head on, so i think i gunna get mine done but im scared it wont come in

[richsmells 2]

When I get mine back i'm going to change the ARB bushes, droplinks and track rod ends then get it aligned properly. It's been a bit dodge ever since i've had it.

[hengti 2]

my wheels are visibly out of place if i look at thr car head on, so i think i gunna get mine done but im scared it wont come in

 

 

it'll feel loads better once it's been done

 

the adjustment should be there. it's always best to spend some time at home making sure that the track rod ends aren't sezied on, before you take it to be tracked up (might take some time, but take them off, clean the threads and grease everything up).

alot of garages get the oxy torch out as soon as the first attempt at undoing the nuts fails - the problem with this is that it just makes it even more difficult to undo the nuts in future - they heat it all up, undo it, adjust it and tighten it up again - all whilst it's still hot; then it cools down (contracts) which makes everything well tight

[Baz 421]

On the subject, haven't had mine done in a while, and while i don't see a reason why it would've dropped out now i've started using it again, after it was parked up for a couple of years, it seems to take a double - 'bite' on right handers, as if it's loose on the n/s on the odd occasion, keeping the steering wheel in the same spot it'll just feel like its line-tracing but the steering wheel doesn't move like the car does, it's not alot at all but doesn't feel right.

 

I think everything is fine in the front end it, there's no play anywhere, it's had relatively new wishbones, mileage wise, and the rod ends aren't that much older, could it be tracking do people think? or could the rear beam have anything to do with it as i think it's pretty much on its way out!

 

I'd really like to get the kit to do it ourselves, but isn't it quite costly, never really seen it for sale except from the serious expensive stuff in Demon Tweeks etc.

[hengti 2]

yeah - it is expensive gear - think you can pick them up for around about £100

i get mine done so often though (esp. after having whacked it off kerbs on track), that all those £20s spent on tracking must have added up by now!!

 

for yours, i'd get the tracking checked first of all and see if that sorts the feel. they feel horrible even if its a little out - stiff, vague and wandery

[Ahl 4]

it seems to take a double - 'bite' on right handers

That sounds like somethings loose on the front left hand side, quite unlikely to be the tracking. Recheck the wishbone balljoint and bushes and also the balljoint hub clamp for ovalling.

 

Its less likey but could also be the trackrod end, steering rack, subframe bolts etc, or even the rear beam or beam mounts.

 

I'd really like to get the kit to do it ourselves, but isn't it quite costly, never really seen it for sale except from the serious expensive stuff in Demon Tweeks etc.

Try to get hold of some old dunlop gauges and a long enough tube to fit them on. Then thats all you need.

[inferno 1]

last time my gti doubled up on the right hand down it was a missing ball joint bolt! doh.

 

Oh and just so you know, 4 wheel alighnment actually only alighns the front wheels toe in and out, but it uses guages hanging on the rear wheels to measure symetry between all four wheels! 4 wheel laser alignhment means they will ues laser pen style pointers on the front wheel guages as opposed to the older light with a dark line on it!

 

but all the same, it makes a big difference in handling and tyre wear if a wheels out.

 

the haynes book of lies does explain how to check tracking without any expensive equipment!