Is wheel tracking worth doing?

[focusdriver]

Recently had some 195 rainexperts fitted on the front axle of my mk1 focus for £65 each. The garage did a free check and the readings were showing them to out by 5 on each wheel. Can't remember if it was + or -

I think it was £25 to get it done. I've never bothered with it unless it was obvious the car is veering towards one side which it isn't.

[hornetrider]

5 what?

If your tracking is out it can cause uneven wear on the tyres, meaning you have to replace them sooner. Plus the car won't be handling correctly. It's worth doing periodically or immediately if you bash a kerb.

[focusdriver]

I don't know, but the tracking computer showed a reading with a big 5 on the screen. Someone with knowledge in this area may be able to explain what the number means.

[Rickyy]

I had 4 wheel alignment adjusted on my Focus and it transformed it completely. Best £50 I ever spent. I'd strongly recommend getting it done.

[sparks_E39]

I spent £60 getting my E39 tracked by a Hunter machine, apparently the best one for the job as BMW's for the most part can't be sorted by the likes of Kwik Fit etc. It's like a different car.

[Deluded]

Always worth getting it done on a new set of tyres.

[Dog Star]

Don't confuse a proper 4 wheel alignment with "tracking" as done my some fitter down your local fast-fit place.

It is 100% worth having it done, but go to a specialist place who has a Hunter or Beissbarth machine that does all 4 wheels, and (if your car can have these adjusted) they can do camber, caster, toe etc. It will transform the car.

[Chicane-UK]

If your tracking is well off you'll end up with premature wear on the tyres and in extreme circumstances unpredictable behaviour when cornering, etc. Just get it done!

[moreflaps]

focusdriver said:

I don't know, but the tracking computer showed a reading with a big 5 on the screen. Someone with knowledge in this area may be able to explain what the number means.

The owner's IQ?

Cheers

[well'Rd]

Just put my VW in for a Beissbarth alignment due to uneven wear on the rears. Difficult to say I had noticed anything particularly untoward with the handling but if it means I don't have to replace tyres as frequently then it will be money well spent. It also gives me an excuse to take the car for a decent run to see if I can feel any difference post-Beissbarth. I suspect not!

[Leptons]

moreflaps said:

The owner's IQ?

Cheers

Either minutes or degrees. If its the latter you will probably crash and die.

[cuprabob]

If your tyres are wearing evenly and the car drives ok tehn I would say no. I wouldn't trust what any of these guys say. As said above "5 what", degrees, minutes or secs.

[Captain Muppet]

focusdriver said:

I don't know, but the tracking computer showed a reading with a big 5 on the screen. Someone with knowledge in this area may be able to explain what the number means.

What did it say on the screen in smaller letters after the reading? The smaller letters normally include the unit the big number is measuring.

[Rakoosh]

Tracking / alignment is out on the OH's Tucson (Hyundai ) - car pulls to the left and I can spot the uneven wear on the front left tyre.

I took it to Kwik Fit and it wasn't sorted by a simple alignment (or whatever they do for £30) - albeit it was improved slightly.

Looking for a proper place to get this done?

Can anyone recommend where though? Ideally SW London - close to Surbiton / Kingston / Surrey etc.

[funkyrobot]

Rakoosh said:

Tracking / alignment is out on the OH's Tucson (Hyundai ) - car pulls to the left and I can spot the uneven wear on the front left tyre.

I took it to Kwik Fit and it wasn't sorted by a simple alignment (or whatever they do for £30) - albeit it was improved slightly.

Looking for a proper place to get this done?

Can anyone recommend where though? Ideally SW London - close to Surbiton / Kingston / Surrey etc.

I'll add to this.

Anyone know of a decent place in Lincolnshire that can do the alignment?

[BliarOut]

funkyrobot said:

Rakoosh said:

Tracking / alignment is out on the OH's Tucson (Hyundai ) - car pulls to the left and I can spot the uneven wear on the front left tyre.

I took it to Kwik Fit and it wasn't sorted by a simple alignment (or whatever they do for £30) - albeit it was improved slightly.

Looking for a proper place to get this done?

Can anyone recommend where though? Ideally SW London - close to Surbiton / Kingston / Surrey etc.

I'll add to this.

Anyone know of a decent place in Lincolnshire that can do the alignment?

Apex in 'Borough will never rip you off

[kambites]

This will give you a list of places with a Hunter machine, although the quality of the operator can still vary.

http://www.alignmycar.co.uk/

[StoatInACoat]

Rakoosh said:

Tracking / alignment is out on the OH's Tucson (Hyundai ) - car pulls to the left and I can spot the uneven wear on the front left tyre.

I took it to Kwik Fit and it wasn't sorted by a simple alignment (or whatever they do for £30) - albeit it was improved slightly.

Looking for a proper place to get this done?

Can anyone recommend where though? Ideally SW London - close to Surbiton / Kingston / Surrey etc.

Take the missus to IKEA in Thurrock and pop into AMD Essex next door. They have a hunter and I think I paid £60 to have mine done properly. Lots of go faster goodies in thier waiting area bit so leave your credit card behind although they don't try to sell you crap you don't want or need.

[Jurgen]

On most FWD cars you can only adjust toe in/out on the front. But even that can make quite a difference to how a car feels. If your car is fully adjustable and can adjust camber/caster and toe, then it's definately worth doing. It can make a HUGE difference (ask anyone with an mx-5 or S2000 how big the difference can be!).

I'm having mine checked once a year and it's on of the first things I do when having bought a different car. Can really change the perception of a cars handling.

[buzzer]

kambites said:

This will give you a list of places with a Hunter machine, although the quality of the operator can still vary.

http://www.alignmycar.co.uk/

agreed. the best equipment in the world is useless if the fitter does not know how to use it... or its been knocked and not calibrated.

I took my Lancia in for alignment a few years ago... the fitter adjusted the track rod without slackening the steering rack gaiter... he ripped it off, oil all over the floor!