Wheel Alignment

[Kedishen]

Mk4 LWB 2.5Di.

So I took the van to SKi Tyres several times in the last 6 months to get the wheel alignment done. Each time it comes out of there, the wheels appear to be toed out even though they are convinced they are adjusting them correctly. This follows with the van quickly starting to pull to the left and its getting on my nerves, let alone wearing out my tyres quickly.

What is the ideal wheel alignment?

I am told that I should align the wheels up to point forward, then toe them in abit.

I am using the sides of computer cases curved up for slip plates and a shower curtain rail to align the wheels forward.

Any suggestions on how much the wheels should be toed in? How many turns?

Thanks.

Regards
Scott

[Kedishen]

Does anybody know what degree of toe in/out i would need on:

92-94 Mk4 Transit 150 LWB Chassis Cab.

Its a chassis cab with an coachbuilt autosleeper fibreglass body on the back.

Thanks.

[jay]

independant suspension on the front 2.0mm toe in to 2.0mm toe out.......so set it to 0 and should be ok..also make sure all tyres are at correct pressure..
beam axle is 0 to 1.60mm toe in

[Kedishen]

I have independant suspension at front.

If I understand correctly, I can be anywhere within 2 in or out?

What is best would you say, to be toed in or out? I am looking for the least amount of drag to increase stability and fuel economy.

Thanks.

[chopper123]

wouldnt it be easyer to take it to a tyre centre and get them to set it with the lazer tracker
its 12 quid plus vat around here
alot cheaper than risk having it set wrong and your tyre scrub off 1 side
so having to buy new tyres ?

[Aardvark]

I get the impression chopper tried that already and they clearly didn't know what they were doing. So fed up that he wants to have a go himself. Good luck to the man. It shouldn't be rocket science.
Myself, I would go for slight tow in, because when you start to roll forward there may be a slight bit of slack in all the joints, once this is taken up you will end up with "0". I would guess that "0" to "1" towed IN would be the one to aim for.

[Kedishen]

SO I made myself up skid plates and a measuring stick.. However the clearance between the middle front and back or front wheels is close.

What other methods do you guys use to do the tracking... DIY style?

Thanks.

[toolless]

some of these tyre fitter are complete con artistes
employ wip snapers out of nappies and shiting yellow any time you bolick them for making a bawls
Did they tell you it was wheel aliment just to get the money from you

Dose the stering juder more when braking or just the same???
could be your tracing is out, jack her up on the front and see if both wheels are leval first
also could be brake pad are not lined up right

[stalwart]

First of all have you tried swopping the front wheels over n/s to o/s and vise virsa,trust me this sometimes cures the pull.
If that dont check for any play in the track rod ends ie ball joints
What about your anti roll bar bushes when was they change last or checked also the anti roll bar link rods
Check you dont have any brake bind, pulling to the left/right can cause this
Wheel bearings ok
TBH if they've done the tracking several times and it still pulling i would say they aren't to blame,you may have problems elsewhere.
I've never taken a motor in for tracking i've always done it myself easy way is 2 axle stands and a bit of string ie brickys line,if i can try and decribe how you do it so you understand i'll add it later
Theres some info on the net if you look around though

[awdriver96]

No accuracy with string and front and rear need to be lined up before adjusting the tracking anyway, it isnt a diy job.
Also on the transit the front springs break with age and not in the middle usually near the bottom end which causes a slight lean but a definite pull to that side of the vehicle. Then there is track control arm rubber bushes that wear and cause pulling to the side as well. Plenty to look at if you know what to look for.
mt

[sideshow_bill]

Tracking normally scrubs both tyres equally. Pulling is uasualy a camber, or caster angle issue.

[Kedishen]

Thanks for the all the info.

I will put some of this to the test and get back to you.

Re: Wheel Alignment

Post by stalwart » Sat Oct 08, 2011 7:04 pm
First of all have you tried swopping the front wheels over n/s to o/s and vise virsa,trust me this sometimes cures the pull.
If that dont check for any play in the track rod ends ie ball joints
What about your anti roll bar bushes when was they change last or checked also the anti roll bar link rods
Check you dont have any brake bind, pulling to the left/right can cause this
Wheel bearings ok

I have trried this. The lower suspension balljoint went recently which I have changed (and had tracked after). The track rod ends appear to be fine without play.

The front anti roll bar bushe on the right side has a abit of play, but not alot. Left side is followingly shortly behind. Link rods also have a small amount of play.

I am not sure how to check for brake bind. I tried turning the wheel and seeing if the pads hit, which they don't.

Wheel bearings are fine.



I can actually see that the tracking is out. When the steering is straight, the left wheel is toed out far more than the right wheel.

[sideshow_bill]

I can actually see that the tracking is out. When the steering is straight, the left wheel is toed out far more than the right wheel.[/quote]

Unless you are holding the wheel straight, any tracking error should be shared between both front wheels.

I would start from scratch, centre the steering wheel, then adjust the track rod ends to give a nominally zero toe in/out then see if you still have a problem.
A minor tracking error will not produce a noticeable pull.
Far more likely that one side is doing a bit of a sick shopping trolley impression.
Worn or incorrectly installed bushes. Trailing arms etc will cause this. As will a bent wishbone or strut.
I once had the same problem with a P100, I ended up having to go under it with the mechanic, to show him what to adjust, to get the caster angle correct, as he thought it was fixed!

Good luck!

[Kedishen]

I have purchased a product called Track Ace (£77) which claims to let DIY mechanics to adjust wheel alignment (fairly) accurately.

I figure that a tracking round where I live costs £35, so two uses and it pays for itself. If its any good, then I can track all my vehicles with it.

I will let you know how it goes.

Even if its not a tracking issue, I still think that being able to the tracking myself fairly accurately is worth while doing. I have a lot of mates who would willingly pay a cheaper price to have their tracking done on their vans. Check it out at trackace.co.uk, looks good and they are doing a £15 discount during October too. I would be interested to hear what you guys think of it.

[MinorMatt]

I have looked at them - and the video.

I'm sure it will work, but you will have to make a change, then drive it a bit, reset re-check etc. Sounds like a lot of faff to me...