PUNCHLINE - I describe a method of setting the tracking temporarily that seems far superior to the string and duct tape methods on youtube.
So after replacing several front suspension bits, I turned my attention to the tracking. Something obviously wrong as the car had a serious drift to the right going on.
As I had new disks and pads to fit on the front, I thought I would try an experiment. Having watched the various "DIY tracking using string" videos I was unconvinced about the accuracy of measuring something to the 2-3 mm required based on how string fits around potentially dented bodywork.
With both wheels off and new disks fitted and the screws tightened, I tried measuring from disk to disk at the front and rear edges of the disk. I used a batten eventually - photos should give you the gist of my method. The second image shows my tasteful pink markings of the length. The knotty end was on the opposite disk, so the front measurement is about 8mm longer than the back of the disks.
The results were clearly that I had a massive toe out going on, probably on the right side. Putting this together with a drift to the right, and the amount of work on that side, it looked like my right hand wheel was pointing to the right, but being paranoid I didn't want to assume the left hand wheel was OK. Here the "wrap string around the car" method does help with symmetry, but I found I could measure from the leading and trailing edge of the disks to one of the ribs on the sump. Left hand wheel was practically parallel with the lines on the sump. Right had wheel very much not so.
So, I adjusted the right hand tracking outwards (to push the front edge inwards) until the disks were parallel. Refitted wheels, and now the ol' beast handles like a different car. My family even commented how smooth the ride seemed (unaware I had been working on it), although I will get the job done properly at some point in the near future.
So after replacing several front suspension bits, I turned my attention to the tracking. Something obviously wrong as the car had a serious drift to the right going on.
As I had new disks and pads to fit on the front, I thought I would try an experiment. Having watched the various "DIY tracking using string" videos I was unconvinced about the accuracy of measuring something to the 2-3 mm required based on how string fits around potentially dented bodywork.
With both wheels off and new disks fitted and the screws tightened, I tried measuring from disk to disk at the front and rear edges of the disk. I used a batten eventually - photos should give you the gist of my method. The second image shows my tasteful pink markings of the length. The knotty end was on the opposite disk, so the front measurement is about 8mm longer than the back of the disks.
The results were clearly that I had a massive toe out going on, probably on the right side. Putting this together with a drift to the right, and the amount of work on that side, it looked like my right hand wheel was pointing to the right, but being paranoid I didn't want to assume the left hand wheel was OK. Here the "wrap string around the car" method does help with symmetry, but I found I could measure from the leading and trailing edge of the disks to one of the ribs on the sump. Left hand wheel was practically parallel with the lines on the sump. Right had wheel very much not so.
So, I adjusted the right hand tracking outwards (to push the front edge inwards) until the disks were parallel. Refitted wheels, and now the ol' beast handles like a different car. My family even commented how smooth the ride seemed (unaware I had been working on it), although I will get the job done properly at some point in the near future.
