Getting tracking done

jp7152

jp7152

jp7152

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Joined
14 Oct 2003
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1,582
I just went to get my tracking done as I think it was out.

It took the garage ages and they said it was 'stuck' and the mechanic was under the car with a blowtorch?

Seems a bit crazy, could that be true?

Also now the car feels a lot more positive, however the steering wheel is off center when driving straight.

Did they make a hash of it? Strange thing is it feels better now.

Any ideas?

Thanks.
 
The track rods are usually very exposed and suseptible to water/salt etc and it's quite normal for them to get quite rusty and it's quite feasible that things can get seized and difficult to free off for adjustment.
 
When I had my tracking done - it was off too, my steering wheel ended up off center. I just it got back to them and they sorted it out in 5 mins. It felt like a new car afterwards I tell you. Well worth doing it if you think it may be out. As for the blow torch - well maybe they had to loosen something off, or a bolt had got itself rusted to a linking arm or something and needed to cut it off and put a new one on? Not too sure.
 
Tracking is easy to set up, 1st u put the laser gages on the front, then some gauges on the back, u need to clamp the steringwheel dead straight at this point. u then look at the toein / toe out degrees and also the setback (that shows if ure car has been shunted at some point). after u read up the the new settings for the car you loosen the trackrod end nuts (this is the bit that normaly ceases and u need the oxy-acetylene just to warm and free them off!)

1ce the nuts are unscrewed slightly u turn the trackrods until both back gauges read the exact same (as the backs control ure steering wheel) , and the fronts read the correct amount of toe in / toe out, common is parrelel ( which is 0, +/- 1).

after that tighten all back up, takes gauges and clamps off and all done :) . hope that helps!
 
Enfield said:
Probably took it off then put it back on centre.
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That can only be done though if it's got a multisplined steering column. Some cars (Fords for one) have a hexagon shape and invariably if you take the steering wheel off and move it it'll be out the same amount the other way. In this case it has to be adjusted on the track rod ends.
 
yeah after removing my steering wheel (fiesta 1994) the steering is now slightly out i think. Only driven it once so am not 100% sure.
 
na most fords are standard tracking as i explained in my post, as im a mechanic i do them quite often, u only normaly take the wheel off on 1 sided trackings, e.g the old VW golfs etc
 
jp7152 said:
OK Thanks

I'll take it back and get them to put the wheel straight. Was just a bit worried about the blowtorch bit. :)
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did they sort the steering wheel out mate?

just had mine tracked, and noticed on the way home that my steering wheel was off centre, i can see it getting on my nerves so will be going back 2moro to get it sorted. FYI had "national" do my tracking.
 
i'm looking to get the tracking done on my clio, how much is it usually?

also, is it one of those while you wait efforts?
 
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MrMatteh said:
i'm looking to get the tracking done on my clio, how much is it usually?

also, is it one of those while you wait efforts?
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£22 all in for my Astra at a "National" centre (formerly Smiley's) and waited about 30mins i think. Probably worth while having it done once a year, ive not had it done on this car since i bought it and having put on new tyres i didnt want to chance early waer and tear on the tyres.
 
i definatly need it done! clipped a rather high curb a while back
car now pulls slightly to one side

i suppose it cant be good for the tyres or economy
 
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