General How much would it cost to fix tracking?

[branbb60]

Hey guys,

So with my car the tracking is off. If I hold the wheel straight it'll pull to the right slightly.

Called up my local garage and they've said it'll cost about £45.

Is that right or too steep?


Thanks everyone!


-Brandon.

 

[Pirus]

Crickey, my local place often does it for beer money, just a fiver or £10 in their back pocket.

Just ring up a couple of places and ask them.

Assuming the price you were quoted for the usual tracking set up, just a couple of lasers hung on each side and not a full geometry set up? (though personally it would be wasted on a cento).

 

[Metalguru3]

I suppose if they throw in a decent breakfast for you and a couple of mates then its about right
Places that charge those figures will also try and frighten you into spending more money on other stuff.
£15 is probably average
Other things can be wrong if it still pulls to one side
Are tyre pressures the same both sides, also mixing makes of tyre on the same axle can cause pulling sometimes
After that youre into worn or damaged suspension/steering components or worse case scenario - bodyshell damage
do the simple stuff first

 

[varesecrazy]

Hey guys,

So with my car the tracking is off. If I hold the wheel straight it'll pull to the right slightly.

Called up my local garage and they've said it'll cost about £45.

Is that right or too steep?


Thanks everyone!


-Brandon.

TBH ,
get it checked anywhere(for free)
I tended to use "Nationwide Autocentres" ,
@£40 - but I had a £20 off voucher.. IF it's off then it's £20 - otherwise it's free,
I'd be tempted to adjust 1 side to get the wheel straight.., then get them to check it for free

 

[rallycinq]

If only life were that simple.

You must first ensure the rack is centred. If its not your ackerman angles will be out.

You then adjust the wheel to suit, then and only then, adjust the tracking.

If you get the full monty for £40 inc VAT, its not that bad a deal.

I would question whether anyone was doing it right for £15 or £20.

Cheers

D

 

[Metalguru3]

Hi
Im a bit baffled. If, for arguments sake, a manufacturer has specified tracking as parallel, how does the position of the rack if not central affect that if the wheels have been set as parallel.
i know an off centre steering wheel is a pain, but ive always pulled it off and re centralised by moving it a couple of splines if possible - no good on a hex column etc. So ive moved the whole rack over a couple of turns at a time on each side until the car drives with a central steering wheel
what problems have i been causimg doing that - id dread to think!

 

[Metalguru3]

Dont worry
ive just done a couple of o level tecnical drawing locus diagrams and can see how it all goes belly up when things are run off centre
How many cars are running around with off kilter Ackermann angles thanks to me. I hold my hands up!

 

[rallycinq]

How many cars are running around with off kilter Ackermann angles

Loads.....

 

[yiorgos]

... Ackermann angles ...

add 'bump steer' to that

( I am also guilty to driveway alignment techiques )