What is adjusted when getting the tracking done?

[daddycool]

car's a bit twitchy when hitting uneven road/ small bumps. i know the tracking needs doing, but no point doing it yet if i then have to replace something that they adjust, only to get it tracked again. i replaced two track rod ends today as they were worn and there was play in the wheels, but its still twitchy and still feeling every bump through the steering wheel. although only when aimed straight and not on a bend.

anyway, before i get tracking done is there other stuff i can check before they adjust it?

thanks, kris

 

[EllD90]

Ask the garage to check the car over?

 

[Fred@BTM]

ball joints and bushes ok? check tyre pressures too, and check for snapped springs, then get the wheel alignment done (tracking is a word that i hate! LOL)

 

[daddycool]

bushes, forgot about those.
there is no play in the wheels when i hold the wheel at 12 and 6 o clock. would this rule out the ball joints or should i take them off and inspect them?

 

[Fred@BTM]

lever bar and put some force on them, if there's movement, change them

 

[daddycool]

am i looking for vertical or horizontal play? sorry to be a spanner, i've had a look before with a bar but without knowing what to expect i didn't know where to apply the leverage. or do i whack a bar directly above the ball joint and lever there?

 

[Fred@BTM]

lever the lower arm down away from the hub and look for ANY movment

 

[daddycool]

cheers will reply in a bit

 

[daddycool]

i think there's movement. its not a definite knocking movement like i had with the track ends. to be honest i can't tell if it's just bending and returning to shape.

could a dodgy top mount be causing the vertical movement (hands at 12 and 6)?