Tracking poser.

F

Finisterre

Senior member
 Buxton Narnia
Okay I had the tracking checked. It was well out. Three full turns of thread on one side and a turn on the other. They had to free up the bolts with a gas torch they were that solid. So the track-rod ends must have been wrong for 50.000 miles?

how can this be, how does it change?
 
I'm going to get mine to a hunter place this weekend. I'm guessing with the roads in Manchester that mine are a real mess.
There's a place in Manchester (Oldham) that specialises in BMW an theyre way way cheaper than the dealer!
 
Minor bends in track rods is possible. You'd probably not notice it. I hit a brick in the road (and promptly s**t one) and it put a minor bend in one of mine. It was adjusted out rather than replaced.
 
I wasn't really thinking the chassis would deform so easily, I supposed only a bad design would have the unsprung sections so stiff they could tear the car apart, and it would be unsaleable. I was just encouraging expansion of the possibilities. :)
 
Finisterre said:
Okay I had the tracking checked. It was well out. Three full turns of thread on one side and a turn on the other. They had to free up the bolts with a gas torch they were that solid. So the track-rod ends must have been wrong for 50.000 miles?

how can this be, how does it change?
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I hope you didn't have it checked or set at a 'normal' garage, given you say 'tracking checked'. It has to be done on specific equirpment such as 'Hunter' or BMW's system. Car needs to be full of petrol and weighted in both front seats and boot.
 
I did. Gulp. I used out local tyre place, lots of their lads have BMWs, I was hoping they would get it right. The car seems okay. Anyway I just got in and out a couple of times, checking the ground clearance in each case with some engineering callipers. 7mm was the maximum deflection. I imagine 10mm might be possible with a load of shopping in the boot.

There is a Hunter system somewhere in Stockport which I noticed was mentioned by someone on here. How accurate does it need to be, is it really worth it?
 
You don't need a hunter system. Thats just a name thats thrown around a few forums that people feel is the standard. As long as its laser alignment, it'll be ok. If you want the geometry checked, i'd go to a specialist - usually Jap car tuning garages have the facilities. What i WILL say, is any kit is only as good as the operator - so go somewhere with a bit of reputation :)

If you have a bump, or knock the wheel laterally it can throw some of the steering parts out of alignment. This is common. When you lower a car it throws alignment RIGHT out of tolerances for example.
 
Steve220 said:
You don't need a hunter system. Thats just a name thats thrown around a few forums that people feel is the standard. As long as its laser alignment, it'll be ok. If you want the geometry checked, i'd go to a specialist - usually Jap car tuning garages have the facilities. What i WILL say, is any kit is only as good as the operator - so go somewhere with a bit of reputation :)

If you have a bump, or knock the wheel laterally it can throw some of the steering parts out of alignment. This is common. When you lower a car it throws alignment RIGHT out of tolerances for example.
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I specifically noted 'Hunter' as an example of the type of equipment, not the only one. Regardless of the equipment critical to the Zed set up is proper weighting of the vehicle and not using simple equipment found in typical garages that will lead to poor results and inaccurate alignment.

I totally agree that the technician is important and a key element in the process.
 
There's only about 3 companies i trust to do my suspension geometry - but thats because i've been screwed around by people claiming they could get it right.
 
Steve220 said:
There's only about 3 companies i trust to do my suspension geometry - but thats because i've been screwed around by people claiming they could get it right.
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Agree with you there. I even had a top 'expert' make a pigs ear of mine and add loads of settings that might make it good as a twitchy and cornering track car, but wrecked tyres on road.
 
Cj10jeeper, who would you recommend, need to get min checked properly and don't mind a trip to south staffs for someone who'd do it right. (thought I'd seen a post somewhere when you'd had it done)

Cheers

Corrie Phil
 
Wouldnt worry about it being out a little, small bumps or bumping the kerb while parking can cause the tracking to be out
 
SU74
I can recommend ABP motorsport ( http://www.abpmotorsport.co.uk) who are in Shavington near Crewe which may not be too far depending where in Staffs you are
They completely transformed my MX5
Not the cheapest around but Know what they are doing
 
Andy :thumbsup: will get in touch and have a run over there, north staffs here so only about 20 mins away. Cheers

Phil
 
SuZ4 said:
Cj10jeeper, who would you recommend, need to get min checked properly and don't mind a trip to south staffs for someone who'd do it right. (thought I'd seen a post somewhere when you'd had it done)

Cheers

Corrie Phil
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Looks like you're sorted out now. I actually went to Erdington, which would be a bit too far off for you.

Worth looking on alignmycar.co.uk as you can search locations, but more importantly print off a discount voucher to many places.
 
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