Useless garage- tracking

[DomP182]

Why can't my local tyre place get my steering wheel straight when doing my tracking. I've been back twice now and it's still 1-2 inches off straight. They also always blow torch the crap out of my track rod ends. Might just alter either side myself

 

[Jamie86]

Go somewhere that knows what they are doing?

 

[DomP182]

I wish i had more choice, is there a rule for number of rotations of the track rod to effect x amount of change? As it's tracked it's just a matter of me equally altering either side

 

[Steven103]

Quick to assume that the tyre people are useless and that the car is perfect

Balljoints, steering rack bushes, wishbone bushes, rod ends, topmounts, buckled wheels etc can all make the tracking look perfect on gauges, then as soon as you drive (or even take it off the gauges and put it back on without driving more than 10m) the tracking will be off.

There is a fixed relationship between TRE "turns" and degrees of toe change. From one clio to another it will vary with ride height and camber, but someone who's done tracking a few times should be able to give you a decent estimate.

I'm not quite sure you've thought this through, or I may have just misinterpreted your post, as you can't reliably do tracking just by making sure both sides have the same amount of thread sticking out.

 

[warwickstingray]

Had the same problem. I was given all sorts of excuses. I knew my car was free of the wear they claimed and when I was told an end was seized I loosened it easily with my own tools without making the marks they did when they failed.

In the end it cost me 25 quid at a place that had a guy whose job it is just to set up cars geometry on some very nice gear. He said the car had no issues and it came back with everything as I wanted and the car drives spot on. A wet castle combe will show up any handling issues on a car and mine passed with flying colours.

You just need to find a decent garage. Main stream garages are money machines and they don't have the time to mess around and often take on too much work and cut corners. I've had some shocking work done and lies given to me recently and then had the apparently impossible fixed without issue at a decent garage a few days later.

Unfortunately it's finding these garages. Try and find someone in your area on here that's had work done. I wouldn't Fart around with it yourself.

 

[DomP182]

Well it has no play in any joint and it was tracked fine until I put camber bolts on and asked them to correct my tracking, they have gone from right hand from to go straight to left hand down.

I'm aware tracking isn't as simple as the inner track rods showing equal thread though.

Herefordshire is just useless for choice of garages that use decent hunter tracking kit.

 

[DomP182]

Ultimately I'm paying good money to get tracking done and if they are having a problem getting the steering wheel straight surely for the 50 quid it cost the least they could do is check nothing has play in it. They have just mot'd it so and play should have been spotted by them and I've just done rack bushes.

 

[NorthloopCup]

I use dunlop tracking gauges and NEVER have an issue getting the steering wheel straight. It's not rocket science. Bring it to me!! Lol

 

[DomP182]

Would love to mate. exactly what I thought, how hard can it be?! And every time they get the flippin heat on my tre's

 

[NorthloopCup]

Would love to mate. exactly what I thought, how hard can it be?! And every time they get the flippin heat on my tre's

If they need to use heat on the tre's they should consider doing the job properly and removing, cleaning and anti seize compounding them ffs. If a jobs worth doing, do it right. Really f***s me off when people bodge!!!!

 

[DomP182]

Exactly!

 

[STEVE.M]

I can recommend Ruislip tyres in Ruislip Manor,HA4 8NS in North West London to do a proper job for £30 including adjustment on a Clio.