Steering pulling to one side - tracking

[Daipac]

I suspect this is a knock on effect from fitting my Eibach Pro springs last week. The steering wheel is off centre when going in a straight line and also when cornering it seems to pull to one side. Is this just a simple case of the tracking needing to be done ?

Where is the best place to get this done ? Any tyre place like Kwik Fit ? My service is coming up next week, would they do it as part of the service ?

Cheers for any help guys !

 

[Michael]

If you had your car lowerd you should defo get tracking..........So yes it´s tracking!!!

 

[Daipac]

Cheers Michael for both replies. Should have just put both queries in the one thread ! Thanks again !

 

[Daipac]

Right, I am going to book my car in to have the tracking done. When would you recommend I take it ? Somewhere like Kwik Fit ? How much do they usually charge ?

 

[cliosportcraig]

Where you based ? Only go to kwik fit if you HAVE TO !! Try and find a place that does laser tracking !! Its much better !!

 

[Daipac]

I am based in Swansea mate, that probably doesnt help you recommend somewhere ! LOL !

Any UK wide places you would recommend going to ?

 

[SAM113L]

Definately not to National Tyre Service or whatever they are called now... they did my tracking, but in the process due to heating the LF joint to correct a steering alignment, thus fusing my bearing to my wheel hub and driveshaft, then after a knock on that wheel, the bearing failed, meaning I needed a new LH driveshaft, wheel bearing and wheel hub - cost to replace £517!!!!!

I had a look at it and it was like a block of metal with a driveshaft attached to it!!!!

 

[KDF]

Hey mate, got my Eibachs fitted (finally) on Saturday, took me and my mate 6.5 hours LOL !! but 2.5 hours of that was doing the first front one, the bolts were jammed solid took ages to knock them out without damaging them.

Anyway, really happy with the way it handles now, and the sublte drop in height, feels much more composed now at higher speeds.

So far I havent noticed any problems with tracking or pulling ! probably worthwhile to get it checked anyway.

 

[Viv172]

It took ALL the Kwick Fit staff at my local Kwick Fit several attempts to do the tracking on my car

Tis spot on now

 

[Daipac]

sam, I will stay away from them then ! That is really bad !

_KDF, glad you are happy mate. It is not that hard really is it ?

My tracking seemed to be ok to begin with but it definitely needs to be done now. Yours may go the same and a few people have recommended getting it done anyway if you have lowered the car.

You got any pics ?

WOULD RENAULT BE ABLE TO CHECK MY TRACKING WHEN MY CAR GOES IN FOR ITS FIRST SERVICE ON MONDAY ? WILL THEY CHARGE ME ?

Viv, how much did they charge you to do it ?

 

[Viv172]

Yes they can check it at Renault and they will charge you. The dealer near me seems to have problems tracking cars as all the cars that Ive test driven have been wonky, including the 182!!

 

[cliosportcraig]

Deffo try and find a laser tracking place !! Mines done at my local tyre and exhaust place !! Theyre equipment cost them lots of £££ !! but its all done on a computer and you can see how much your out and whether your camber is out aswell !! well worth a look around for one !!

 

[Daipac]

What is it called Craig ? Is it a UK wide place ? I will have a look around and in the Yellow pages for somewhere.

How much will it cost anyway ?

 

[Viv172]

It was about £20, that was before I had the springs and it still seems fine.

Maybe the bloke who fitted my springs checked it. He definitely re balanced my wheels.

 

[RobFenn]

Hi Q did mine for £35. However had probs as my car was too low for the equipment! lol!

Renault charge around £140.

-Rob

 

[cliosportcraig]

No they are just a small local company mate !! It was about £25 i think and they take the time to explain it to ya !! How fars swansea from birmingham ?

 

[cliosportcraig]

Quote: Originally posted by RobFenn on 15 March 2004


Hi Q did mine for £35. However had probs as my car was too low for the equipment! lol!

Renault charge around £140.

-Rob





The ramp at my place could take my car that is stoopidly low !!

It would be cheaper to drive to bham and have it done here PROPERLY !!

 

[Daipac]

£140 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is a joke just for checking the tracking surely ? I can remember I took my Corsa to Vauxhall back in the day, they charged me £20. That is lube up time that is !



Brum is around an hour and a half at least away from Swansea. I will find a place in Swansea, will ask people in work if they have had it done anywhere and see if they have good things to say.

 

[KDF]

Quote: Originally posted by Daipac on 15 March 2004
_KDF, glad you are happy mate. It is not that hard really is it ?

Not after we got the first one done, bear in mind that this time includes about 20 fag breaks , the rear ones were a peice of piss ! the only problem with the fronts was getting the suspesion assembly to sit back into the lower arm thingy.. took ages to do it without ripping the rubber CV gaitor.


Quote: Originally posted by Daipac on 15 March 2004
My tracking seemed to be ok to begin with but it definitely needs to be done now. Yours may go the same and a few people have recommended getting it done anyway if you have lowered the car.


Okay I will probably try and find a laser place to get it checked/sorted..


Quote: Originally posted by Daipac on 15 March 2004
You got any pics ?



Sorry didnt take any pics while we were doing it.. I can take some "after" pics for you though.. I will post em up later.

 

[Daipac]

LOL ! I dont smoke and neither does Ivan so maybe I should have included some mandatory fag breaks in the installation time for those of you that do smoke ! LOL !



After pics would be good mate. It is a subtle drop but there is definitely a drop, I measured ! LOL !



The handling is so much better, I do need to change the Contis at some point tho ! They slide FAR too much !

 

[RobFenn]

Just swap the fronts for the rears if theyre starting to wear..

 

[KDF]

I will measure from the top of the alloy to the arch and see what I get too.. didnt do a before, but I will see if it is simmilar to yours.

Ye the contis do suck.. especially when they are low on tread (okay most tyres probably suck when the are low on tread but the contis especially suck).

I think its time to get some new alloys next.. think I might stick with 16" but get lightweight nicer looking ones..


Rob, you should always put the best tyres on the back, dont put worn out front ones on the back !!

 

[Daipac]

Quote: Originally posted by RobFenn on 15 March 2004


Just swap the fronts for the rears if theyre starting to wear..

Rob, I was going to change them out of choice not the need to be honest, not happy with them at all. The 2 front tyres are brand new tho so I will wait till they go.

_KDF, I want to change my alloys soon definitely ! My renewal is up in July so I think that would be a good time to shop around before and find a company that will not crucify me on the mods. Looking at some OZ Super Ls or Ts I think.

 

[edde]

Quote: Originally posted by RobFenn on 15 March 2004


Just swap the fronts for the rears if theyre starting to wear..

NO NO dont do it realy bad idea I did this and it has a lot to do with why my car swoped ends coming out of a bend and cost me a lot of money

Make sure you have some decient grip tyres at the back and prererable some weight back there as well

Learn from my mistake a total bill of about £1k Im going to end up paying in premiums etc.

 

[Darren555]

Quote: Originally posted by cliosportcraig on 15 March 2004

Deffo try and find a laser tracking place !! Mines done at my local tyre and exhaust place !! Theyre equipment cost them lots of £££ !! but its all done on a computer and you can see how much your out and whether your camber is out aswell !! well worth a look around for one !!

Which place is this Craig? In Solihull?

Darren

 

[cliosportcraig]

Its in wythal mate !! Do you know becketts farm ?? its there, a tyre and exhaust place !! They know their stuff and seem to get it spot on !! Although he told me my car was too low

 

[Darren555]

Yes I know it. Cheers

 

[Daipac]

Just phoned up my local Renault dealer, they charge £27.50 to alter the tracking on my car, a little less than £140 !

 

[Daipac]

I am going to get my Renault dealer to sort out the tracking at the same time as my service on Monday, do you see any problems with this or would be better to get it done before the service at a tyre place ?

Dai

 

[rockport]

people must be insane to take your car to kwikfit !!!