Tracking: Your thoughts please

mattyprice4004 · 24 Dec 2012 at 15:35

Hi guys,

I noticed when I first bought my 75 I had odd tyre wear on the front-passenger side.

I've just been for another look, and have noticed when the steering wheel is set dead ahead both front wheels appear to be 'toed out' to each other - I assume the type of shoulder wear pictured is normal for mis-aligned tracking?
I also assume wheels should be 'toed in' rather than out.

I ask as my MPG is down 5-6 on what it should be, and literally everything else is now perfect engine and running wise.

Driver's side:

91A63907-1929-4366-A033-22B047B0FEC4-394-0000005A5F22EA05.jpg

Passenger side:

D32A1A0A-7B0E-4D24-8AF7-6E491A2A586C-394-0000005A65048255.jpg

Tyre wear:

2FA1EE99-6950-43FF-B94B-56145D86291E-394-0000005A6A81C73A.jpg

I am having the tyre affected replaced, and the tracking done soon. I was just curious if this could be the cause of my not-quite-there MPG (around 5-6 less than expected now everything else is perfect).

Cheers

Type_R · 24 Dec 2012 at 15:50

Probably

But if just looking was enough to estimate toe in and toe out, people like Chris at centre mavity wouldn't spend thousands on laser equipment to check the geometry.

Get the tracking done by a proper place with proper equipment then you will have your answer.

mattyprice4004 · 24 Dec 2012 at 15:58

I've been burned by the typical 'fast fit' places in the past - they took 3 times to get it right.

I'll have a look for a decent place near me - thanks.

sovietspybob · 24 Dec 2012 at 15:59

As a general rule you have very slight toe in yes, when it comes to track driving a lot of people like toe out as it makes the car more eager to change direction at the expense of outright straight line stability.. but as this is a rover 75 i'm sure that's little use here

Always hard to tell from a picture but that does look rather bad on the near side so i'd expect a decent MPG increase plus not chewing through tyres.

mattyprice4004 · 24 Dec 2012 at 16:02

Cheers.

As it has the 17" alloys this doesn't really drive like any of the other 3 75's I've driven - it's a surprisingly sporty ride. I'm trying to work out if it has the Sports suspension option fitted - certainly doesn't have much give when pushing each corner down.

I'm used to having the wingmirrors touch the floor when taking corners at speed - it's refreshing to drive something a little more firm.

Simon · 24 Dec 2012 at 16:15

Toe in static is defined by the OEMs to take up slack under power meaning the front wheels point straight. Toe out will increase tyre wear.

Get the tracking checked on all 4 wheels

mattyprice4004 · 24 Dec 2012 at 16:16

Will do, found a laser alignment place near me that use a Supertrack 3 (?) laser system - sounds like it'll do.

Cheers

red eye · 24 Dec 2012 at 16:48

get the suspension looked at too, just incase somethings bent

mattyprice4004 · 24 Dec 2012 at 16:51

red eye said:
get the suspension looked at too, just incase somethings bent

We had a good look while it was up in the air for it's MOT - everything seems OK to the naked eye. I suppose we'll find out when we get it aligned

red eye · 24 Dec 2012 at 18:15

mattyprice4004 said:
We had a good look while it was up in the air for it's MOT - everything seems OK to the naked eye. I suppose we'll find out when we get it aligned

could be lucky might of been tracked badly.

Clarkey · 24 Dec 2012 at 18:32

Not possible to align a car that badly unless you are blind and brain dead. Can't think of any reason other than crash damage for there to be that much toe out.
Must be seriously lacking perception too to drive a car in that condition and not notice, it must drive bloody awful.

I had a similar toe out after doing some suspension work on one of my colts. I don't even think it was as severe as that but the car could barely even make a turn at all, it was horrendous. It also pulled quite severely left and right over road imperfections.

Simon · 24 Dec 2012 at 18:37

Depends on the car and tyres as to how obvious it is.

It's probably been knocked out of alignment over time rather than being aligned like that

red eye · 24 Dec 2012 at 18:49

Clarkey said:
Not possible to align a car that badly unless you are blind and brain dead. Can't think of any reason other than crash damage for there to be that much toe out.
Must be seriously lacking perception too to drive a car in that condition and not notice, it must drive bloody awful.

I had a similar toe out after doing some suspension work on one of my colts. I don't even think it was as severe as that but the car could barely even make a turn at all, it was horrendous. It also pulled quite severely left and right over road imperfections.

quite easy for a busy mechanic to forget to lock the steering wheel dead ahead.

kae2 · 24 Dec 2012 at 18:49

Or someone has replaced the track rod ends and done a cack-handed job of it.

red eye · 24 Dec 2012 at 19:00

kae2 said:
Or someone has replaced the track rod ends and done a cack-handed job of it.

also possible

Third Opinion · 25 Dec 2012 at 12:55

I had no end of tracking problems on my Rover 75. It only stopped when I sold it and it wasn't my problem anymore.

Amoeba · 25 Dec 2012 at 13:57

Probably overkill for a 75 (not so adjustable) but if you want the best alignment service in the area -- go to Nigel Lang's garage in Bolton

Dave L · 29 Dec 2012 at 08:26

All depends on your budget Matt - at this time of year most of us are skint!!

Proper 4 wheel alignment will cost £125 min - what is your rear tyre wear like?

If the rears are wearing nice and flat then a simple front end geometry set will suffice; not ideal but in this case, entirely acceptable.

Have you got a local garage with simple tracking gauges?

And yes, that nearside wheel 'looks' to be at a weird angle! Does the car run straight??

Dave L · 29 Dec 2012 at 08:33

PS Sort that broken coil spring and in-tank pump too ya tight git!!!! You'll only burn out the engine bay pump...........

mattyprice4004 · 29 Dec 2012 at 19:11

Second hand in tank pump and full hub / spring assembly here now, and full laser alignment done this morning.

Much better

As for not being 'perceptive' it wasn't bad to the point of being distracting, however now it's done it's like a different car. 3-4MPG up according to the computer too.