track rods fitting

[richy200]

Hi guys i'm having a slight problem.

I've never fitted track rods before and it's not exactly a hard job.

The reason i was fitting them was to give me more lock as the rods i have just fitted have been machined down 4mm and a 6mm wedding band washer was added.

i have refitted the rods and now the car is all over the place i mean it feels like the wheel is loose (which it's not)

i didn't think having the tracking being out could be that bad!?

took it to the garage this morning for them to track the car up and they said did you count the amount of turns? I said no i just screwed them up and they said they might not be able to track the car and that even if they do track the car it might be fine when i'm going straight but when i turn the corner it might be all over the place as i might have screwed one side in too far?

any ideas what i do if this is the case?

also now that i have more lock the inside edge of the steering wheel is now hitting the jic tension rod as my wheels are slightly large. How do i overcome this issue?

I already have 20mm fenders on the front and riddiculous stretch and the wheel only just sits in the front arch with a 5mm spacer on.

[Phill]

Sounds like you went to the wrong garage. What you want them to do is set the car up so that you have the same amount of thread on each tie rod, then track it from there.

[mags200]

anyone in swansea u guys recommend for tracking my s13?? u know how low is it! (srry to jump in on your thread mate )

[richy200]

no worries mate and my car is now sorted i know the boss in quick fit in town (he's not a cowboy) he did my tracking and it's all sorted :)

the guys i spoke to this morning obviously didn't have a clue!

[mags200]

will he do my tracking u think mate?

[richy200]

will he do my tracking u think mate?

I take it back don;t use them my tracking aint the best. Over 50 mph the car likes to wander so i need this getting done before pod. I'm going to try protec or something in llanelli. They do alignment. Gna get the car aligned there i think.

Or orchard motors i dunno, heard bad things about them recently tho

[VIDAL BABBOON]

I take it back don;t use them my tracking aint the best. Over 50 mph the car likes to wander so i need this getting done before pod. I'm going to try protec or something in llanelli. They do alignment. Gna get the car aligned there i think.

Or orchard motors i dunno, heard bad things about them recently tho

Richy i have a contact for a new alignment place in Bridgend :nod:

Initial results have proven first class.

They have 4 wheel laser alignment and corner weighting facilities :nod:

A few of the lads on SW-CC have used him and it's 100% top marks so far.

I was hoping to use him first before mentioning it on here BUT wont be able to get there till the new year (or need to bother)

Will get contact info for you later and give them a bell (price was reasonable also)

[barryjdart]

Could you post them here? I will definately need to get my alignment done when I get the car back.

[diamondsink]

Hey mate,
You need to make sure your rack in central before adjusting the tracking.

When the car is up on the ramp at the alignment place. Ask to pull the boots back on the rack and measure how much rack is out of the rack housing on each side. (68.5mm)

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x59/diamondsink2000/rack.jpg

Then remove the steering wheel and put it on straight (if its not straight already after centring the rack).

Now you can adjust the tracking (0deg).

Finally just check that when on extreme lock the knuckle touches the bump stop both ways.

Just give us a shout if you need any more help.

[VIDAL BABBOON]

Avia Autos,
Unit 7-8 Queens Court,
Bridgend Industrial Estate,
CF31 3tq.

For general enquiries call Hayley Murdoch on 01656 645050

One of the local lads had 3 hours work done on his starlet at a cost of £120 (Corner weight setup, alignment setup, and shimming work to rear axle)

[richy200]

Hey mate,
You need to make sure your rack in central before adjusting the tracking.

When the car is up on the ramp at the alignment place. Ask to pull the boots back on the rack and measure how much rack is out of the rack housing on each side. (68.5mm)

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x59/diamondsink2000/rack.jpg

Then remove the steering wheel and put it on straight (if its not straight already after centring the rack).

Now you can adjust the tracking (0deg).

Finally just check that when on extreme lock the knuckle touches the bump stop both ways.

Just give us a shout if you need any more help.

I will do, was trying to get your number the other day as after all this was your idea :P

had the car tracked not very well, but the car goes straight so at least i can drive to a decent place now :)

There wheels were touching the tension rods on full lock both sides before the tracking but now they are about 1 inch away on full lock both sides.

i'll book the car in at the alignment place and do what you have said :thumbs:

edit - actually i could just jack the car in the air and remove the boots and check this first couldn't i and set the steering wheel to centre and then when i take it to them by putting the steering wheel back straight i will know the rack is central?


Avia Autos,
Unit 7-8 Queens Court,
Bridgend Industrial Estate,
CF31 3tq.

For general enquiries call Hayley Murdoch on 01656 645050

One of the local lads had 3 hours work done on his starlet at a cost of £120 (Corner weight setup, alignment setup, and shimming work to rear axle)

Nice one mate much apprecieated!