General Wheel Alignment London

[mr500]

Hi,

Yesterday some idiot bumped my 500 and caught the O/S front wheel of all things and just kissed the wing. Dented my hubcap!

The steering wheel was dead straight before and now it's a degree or two down to the right so something's slightly out. I've had a look at the suspension and all appears OK physically.

I'm hoping a re-alignment will get it back to true. What's the weak spot on these cars? Would the track rod bend a touch? The spring will simply take a knock by its very springy nature I would assume?! The upright again is seemingly robust.

How strong are the upper wishbone arms? They don't look to meaty being pressed steel and would appear to be "sacrificial". I'm thinking they might have just been tweaked a touch. Again I'm thinking it would be sensible to fit a new pair which is quite easy/cheap and all may be well!?

http://www.ricambio.co.uk/996-front-suspension-arm-wishbone-kit--classic-fiat-500

Basically what in ones usual experience has altered?!

Does anyone know of a good sympathetic classic car wheel alignment outfit in London? Or am I into disassembly to be safe?

I welcome your thoughts.

 

[Paolo66]

My guess would be track rod as these are basically a hollow tube. Any damage to them should be noticable
Damian

 

[the hobbler]

I don't know what part of London you're in, but I would suggest that the best people to contact would be PROIETTI--www.Fiat500.cc. they are not that far from Highbury (Arsenal FC)---Steph Proietti is the man to speak to. Another place is 'Mario Auto Repairs'--they are on the Finchley Road, in the railway arches right opposite Golders Green underground station--Mario Davoli is the boss there.

 

[dave]

just outside of london http://www.elitedirect.com/wheel-tyre-alignment-in-essex but a little expencive waiting room is an experiance in its self though with a cafe, games, large tv and comfy sofas.

 

[mr500]

OK everyone thanks for your replies.

I popped over to Proietti to have a chat with Stefano and Bruno.

They said was the steering dead straight and OK before knock. It was.

Bruno said this happens all the time. The upright/spring/top arms do not move unless a proper smash. The track rod is hollow with a split running all along it so is pretty weak and is susceptible to any knock like a pot hole or bashing up a kerb. So this is what to do...

Get underneath and free off the 2 x 13mm's and WD40 to get the rod turning on both track rods ends. Get in car and drive straight. Then whilst loose turn the rod a bit any way and see what happens. Basically I turned is perhaps 10 degrees and the wheel was just off centre. So I stopped a couple more times until it was as before dead straight. Amazing how a tiny amount on the rod affects the steering wheel.

So job jobbed. I will assume the track rod is just a bit out of true but now all's perfect.

Happy days

(Don't forget to tighten the 13mm's!)

 

[fiat500]

It sounds like you got the hang of how to do the adjustment, but the fine adjustment can be a bit fiddly. This is mine loaded with tubs of sand when I did it:
BRA_8382 by peterthompson, on Flickr
The car is supposed to be under load when adjusting and it does have to have a small amount of toe-in.
Get it just wrong and the handling can be poor and tyre wear is increased. having said that, I wouldn't trust your average alignment technician but it's worth keeping an eye on how the tyres wear to give you an indication of how close you have got it.

http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/forum/phpbb/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=121766&highlight=steering#121766