Steering wheel off centre

Merlin5

Merlin5

Merlin5

Soldato
Joined
17 Aug 2009
Posts
18,573
Location
Finchley, London
I noticed that to keep my 307 going in a straight line, my wheel is left of centre, at about the 11 o'clock position. If I keep the wheel straight, the car will start to go to the right. So I took it to my local garage asking if it's the tracking and they said yes. So I'm having that done on saturday. £54.

Could this have been from the light shunt I had last week into the back of a car, or is it likely just to be from knocking the kerb at some point? I don't recall hitting the kerb recently but it's not unlike me to do that from time to time. If I didn't have the tracking done, is the consequence that I'd get faster tyre wear?
 
Incorrect tyre pressures across the axles , bad camber settings, a kerb etc could all have shifted the steering a tad. A touch from the rear is unlikely to have caused it unless you hit a kerb at the same time.
 
54 quid for basic tracking is scandelous! Will take the guy about ten minutes. It should be about half that, tops unless its a proper 4 wheel alignment.

Its possible you'll get uneven wear if it's not sorted, yeah
 
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rodenal said:
54 quid for basic tracking is scandelous! Will take the guy about ten minutes. It should be about half that, tops unless its a proper 4 wheel alignment.

Its possible you'll get uneven wear if it's not sorted, yeah
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Hmm, but what garages don't charge at least 50 quid for anything they do? It's £45 to be specific + VAT.
 
Honestly, if its the standard stick the tool on 2 front wheels effort it should be 25 quid or so at many places - they're having a laugh
 
Get your balancing and tracking done, while doing this they will also spot any suspension/wheel defects, such as buckled alloys, rotting mounts etc...

Tracking and balancing is money well spent, always.
 
davy89 said:
What he said! Garage I use charge £15+vat!
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Anywhere near me in north london? Sounds very good at that price.



danjama said:
Get your balancing and tracking done, while doing this they will also spot any suspension/wheel defects, such as buckled alloys, rotting mounts etc...

Tracking and balancing is money well spent, always.
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When I had my MOT done last month (at the same place I'm taking it to on saturday), it passed but with advisory notes.
One is : 'Nearside front lower suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement'

Could that have any bearing on my wheel alignment?
 
Yes and no - if its worn it'll potentially affect your tyre wear but it wont be the reason your wheel is off centre - to fix that they'll adjust your track rods, you realistically should get alignment checked whenever you've had suspension work done though so you should really get this done first.

I personally only get my wheels balanced when I can feel they're out but if you're not sure it can't hurt
 
Had my daughters cars 4 wheels aligned yesterday with the Hunter laser machine. Basic 2 wheel alignment would be £30, all 4 wheels for £50. It does much more than tracking and has been money well spent. The steering wheel is now straight and the car drives much better with no pulling.
 
Thats the site I used to find a place near me(nearest one was Sheffield). The place I used were very thorough, taking around an hour to do the work. They also recommended I stay and watch what they did, explaining all the different readings and adjustments they were making.
 
even a "posh" place using "posh" gear would only charge £30+vat

in fact, i got my e36 done (front and rear toe and front camber) for £109incl
 
atpbx said:
FFs don't take it to a garage for tracking, just go to a national tyres or ats, it will cost less than half that.
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I just rang ATS and it's £41 and I rang National Tyres and it's £30. Not exactly the less than half price you mentioned. But certainly a bit cheaper at National Tyres.
 
Go on the national tyres website - they often have a voucher for 15 quid tracking. Infact t I've just done that, 2seconds of looking in special offers and there's a voucher for it

Ats will be expensive, try other local tyre /exhaust places and again check the websites
 
rodenal said:
Go on the national tyres website - they often have a voucher for 15 quid tracking. Infact t I've just done that, 2seconds of looking in special offers and there's a voucher for it
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Ah yeah, found that. https://www.national.co.uk/special-offers-wheel-alignment.aspx

Ok, thanks, I can print that off and pop down there. Closest branch is 8.5 miles away.
I'm always paranoid when there's cheap offers at garages though, I always think they're going to look for something to repair which will end up with me paying lots of money.
 
The easy answer is, "show me what's wrong" - they'll show you and you can then go away to think about whether you believe it needs doing.

Tbh if you're only paying them £15 they'll just want you in and out as quickly as possible.
 
rodenal said:
The easy answer is, "show me what's wrong" - they'll show you and you can then go away to think about whether you believe it needs doing.

Tbh if you're only paying them £15 they'll just want you in and out as quickly as possible.
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True. Well, I'm gonna pop down there shortly. I'll let you know how I get on.
 
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