Tracking!

[12dan34]

What is it these days with tracking, it seems so difficult to find anyone who can do it properly? Picked up my 120i a couple of months back, tires were not brilliant so I ordered four new via blackcircles and had them fitted by protyre. Drove 5 miles home, got out and had a quick glance at my new purchase only to realise they'd left dirty great scratches on two of my anthracite wheels. Rang up and to be fair without any resistance they booked the wheels for refurb at an indie nearby, who are brilliant btw (rolling rims in dunmow, essex).

I then book it in somewhere else for 4 wheel laser alignment, clever enough not to allow protyre anywhere near that job. An hour and a half after arriving and £96 lighter I'm on my way back to work, with a steering wheel now sitting nicely to the right when I'm on a perfectly straight road. So back I go a few days later and the guy is proper moody but after an hour seems to have straightened things up. However, whilst the steering wheel is now pretty much straight in a straight line, the steering appears to have light spots where in a turn it just feels lighter than usual and really starts to pull this way of that on a straight road. I don't want to go back to the same firm for a third time but I'd really like to get it right.

Anyone else has similar issues? What did you do, where did you go?

[Ron99]

I would like the tracking/alignment checked on one of my cars but, like you, I'm worried about parting with my money and a mess being made of the job resulting in numerous repeat attempts.
I'd love to know who, near Cambridge, is most likely to do it properly first time.

[GreenV8S]

12dan34 said:

whilst the steering wheel is now pretty much straight in a straight line, the steering appears to have light spots where in a turn it just feels lighter than usual and really starts to pull this way of that on a straight road.

Pulling on a straight road might be related to camber settings. Steering feeling heavier/lighter while steering could be a sticking UJ in the steering column.

[steveo3002]

ive been down to elite in rainham , they used to be able to get it right first time , bit of a trek but saves going back n forth or being told lies by thickos

[Olas]

Buy Dunlop gauges of eBay and set your toe where you want it. Magnetic angle gauges are cheap at b&q for camber.

SAI is a bit more involved depending on the car - do your toe & camber first.

[12dan34]

Do they do camber work 4 wheel alignment?

[12dan34]

Found a place called tyre smart in Witham, all they do is 4 wheel alignment and tires (to my knowledge), really good. I took it there having been to the previous place twice and they checked it all and showed me how far out it was, I would say bordering on unsafe.

Anyway all rectified and it drives like a different car now, plus they are cheaper!

Thoroughly recommend if you're based in this area.