Where's best (or worst) to get tracking checked?

[PreTVR]

'lo all...

I wanted to get the tracking checked on my 98 Chim and I wondered whether it is futile going somewhere like Halfords (or godforbid KwickFit) as they will just "do it like a normal car"... or can I take the details that were posted on an earlier thread (about the angles etc) or should I specifically go to a dealer or a specialist?

Does anyone have any recommendations/advice or opinion?

Thanks in advance,
Phil

[SGirl]

Phil! You got one!!! Congratulations!! Will you be bringing it along next Friday?

Actually, I was going to ask this question too, you beat me to it. I know of places that do the full 4-wheel alignment on Porsches, but I'm reluctant to take the Griff there, I'd rather go to someone who knows their TVR onions. Does anyone know of any place local to the South Bucks area that can do this? (David Batty, perhaps?)

[PetrolTed]

Best to go to a specialist as they'll be familiar with your car and there should then be no doubt about any settings. Take along the settings to Halfords and you'll get some gimp in a boiler suit arguing the toss with you.

In the south, the two specialists that offer the service are Motorvation Motorsport and Racing Green TVR.

[chim_boy]

Yay! Yep Sian I am one of "them" now!!

Thanks to Chim_girl (Jo) for hassling me into getting one! and Rob Ingleby for testing one for me and to Romain Thierry for entrusting one to me (in exchange for money - but that's not what matters is it!!)

Thanks PetrolTed - do you/does anyone know a ball park figure for the check and then, assuming the best, the work?

Thanks,
Phil

[apache]

got mine done at TMS for £90, well worth it

edited to add "do not take your TVR to Krapfit, Hellfords, etc"

>> Edited by apache on Friday 13th December 14:17

[trefor]

SGirl said: Phil! You got one!!! Congratulations!! Will you be bringing it along next Friday?

Actually, I was going to ask this question too, you beat me to it. I know of places that do the full 4-wheel alignment on Porsches, but I'm reluctant to take the Griff there, I'd rather go to someone who knows their TVR onions. Does anyone know of any place local to the South Bucks area that can do this? (David Batty, perhaps?)

Thames Valley Racetech - out the back of Henley. They've got the laser sighted device and Steve Howard knows what the car needs too.

T/.

[Maca]

debatable...

[ncs]

Racing Green near Guildford showed us their state of the art set up last Sunday, why not give them a try?

Nick

[marlboro]

I used a place in Farnham about six months ago to have my tracking checked using a laser system. The guy spent 30 minutes checking my Chim and told me all was OK so no charge. Gave him £20 for he's trouble.

The place is after Farnham Road Train Station on the LHS of the road. Just next door to a place where they sell trials bikes.

[BLUETHUNDER]

Yep got to agree with ncs,we had a little visit to racing green last week prior to our meet at the royal oak,and i must say there computer tracking system was very state of art.I had a word with my cousin who has been in the wheel and tyre business for 35 years and in his belief they have some of the best equipment around and they know what they are talking about.

[whitey]

I had the complete 4 wheel 3D laser geometry check done by Micheldever in Hampshire earlier this year, 3 hours worth for about 140 quid. The TVR Centre in Barnet now have the same equipment and charge about the same.

Cheers
Whitey

[chim_boy]

Thanks for your opinions guys...

I checked the tyre pressures and the fronts were spot on (22 psi) but the rears were 28 (which I believe is recommended for Continental driving/heavy loads) I reduced that to 24 (as per the owners manual) and the steering feels much, much better... now, to a novice like me - this doesn't make sense. How can the rear tyre pressures make so much difference to the steering?!

Is there a simple explination? Is it just that I was mistaking a twitchy back end for twitchy steering?

It's not really a problem as I am very happy with the handling now - just curious!

Cheers,
Phil

[roop]

IIRC, Giles Cooper at the TVR Centre in Barnet recently had a computer alignmenty thingy installed. Might want to give them a call...?

Roop

[M@H]

Servitune Motors in Ledbury will also do this for any of you in the Herefordshire area, they did my S (four wheel laser alignment and tracking) for £30..

Cheers,
Matt

[hut49]

chim_boy said: Thanks for your opinions guys...

I checked the tyre pressures and the fronts were spot on (22 psi) but the rears were 28 (which I believe is recommended for Continental driving/heavy loads) I reduced that to 24 (as per the owners manual) and the steering feels much, much better... now, to a novice like me - this doesn't make sense. How can the rear tyre pressures make so much difference to the steering?!

Is there a simple explination? Is it just that I was mistaking a twitchy back end for twitchy steering?

It's not really a problem as I am very happy with the handling now - just curious!

Cheers,
Phil

28 at the back end would make it fidgety and you would be more likely to be subconsciously aware of this while integrating this with info received through the steering wheel from the front wheels as you set up for corners. I think what you're sensing is the reduction of rear end sensory noise making the info from the front end purer. I suspect 28 in the rear over time will increase the amount of rattle/knock/clatter/thump that can detract from the driving experience. So 24 is the way to go!
Have fun
Hutch

[ribol]

---

"28 at the back end would make it fidgety and you would be more likely to be subconsciously aware of this while integrating this with info received through the steering wheel from the front wheels as you set up for corners. I think what you're sensing is the reduction of rear end sensory noise making the info from the front end purer". Hutch

We have a poet in our midst - go there Hutch!

Ivan