wheel alignment?

[Mailo]

Hi!
I just installed new suspension in the front aswell as new wishbones. Now the right frontwheel points slightly to the right. How do I adjust it back?

[Boumsong]

Everything bolted on straight and tight?

It might be that the tracking needs adjusting, easily done with a spanner, the big nut on the tie rod, give it a few turns and see if it sorts it.

[Mailo]

everything is tight yes.
Had the wheel off this morning inspecting it but could not figure out how to adjust it. Will locate the nut and see if it gets eny better.
Thanks allot!

[Mailo]

is it the big nut close to the end of the tie rod?

[Mailo]

anyone?..need to fix this real quick.

[Jay4424]

the tie rod.. if you've still got the original set up, you'll only have one (on one side, I forget which) so after adjusting you'll need to reset your steering wheel!

..I could be wrong, i suggest getting the garage to set it up.. how ever i've never had a succesfull result from a garage setting up my tracking, but they'll get it close!

..make sure your camber is correct too! and if you've lowered it you may need your rear end chacking aswell.

jay.

[hyperdrinky]

Confirmed.

The adjustable tie-rod is on the driver (off) side. If you're looking to correct this you need some form of alignment gauge. We got ours (old mirror-style) from Ebay relatively cheap.

I think its a 13mm and a 19mm wrench you will need to loosen and turn the tie rod until the correct setting is reached. From memory I believe it is 15 minutes toe out.

Once you are happy that the wheels are straight you need to re-centre your wheel. Dependant on your steering wheel you should prise off the horn. Pull off the horn wire from the pad and then pull off the back plate. The wheel should be held on by a 24mm nut. loosen it when the wheels are pointed straight ahead centre the steering wheel. You may need to go for a quick spin and then re-check the connection.

Its a very simple steering design but form someone who has had to centre two tie rods many times its refreshingly simple.

Hyperdrinky

[Mailo]

Thanks guys for the help. Got it pritty close but will make a 4 wheel check apointment at my local garage to make it perfect!

[Nate]

Thanks guys for the help. Got it pritty close but will make a 4 wheel check apointment at my local garage to make it perfect!

if the rear needs adjusting, don't let them tell you it can't be done! you get unbelieveably thin, uneven shims that go behind the stub axle to sort it

[fonzooorooo]

Both my Dad and myself got sick of dodgy garage tracking, so he made a gauge...

You just need a long straight edge (2m at least) and something to make a rigid frame the width of the car. (He used 1" steel box section)

Car needs to be on a level surface at ride height.
Gauge needs to span the width of the track of the car, and have vertical members long enough to get half way up the tyre. You use the gauge to measure front and rear of the wheel rim (the amount of tow in/out over the diameter of the rim)

Use the straight edge to assure the non-adjustale track rod side of the car is facing straight ahead. (sighting down the length of the car with the straight edge firmly butted up against the trye wall.)
Measure the width, front and rear on the wheel, of the track and adjust until both wheels face straight ahead. Then do the maths to decide what measurement 15 minutes of tow out equates to. Adjust to suit. Ignore where the steering wheel points. Fix that last by removig the wheel, and reolving by the appropriate umber of splines.

If it doesn't make sense and you care - read it again!

We did "the best tracking I've ever had" on his '72 Daimler XJ6 that he's had since about '76 and sorted my rocco in 20 mins after changing the front suspension. Tyre wear's been dead even on both cars.

You do admittedly need a 2nd pair of hands to ensure the gauge is pointing to the same place on the wheel rim on each side.

Some days, I think we take DIY too far!

You can get a Gunson "drive on tracking gauge" at machine mart etc. ... Anyone had any experience with one of those? Looks incredibly simple!

[Nate]

gunson's trackrite is the tool you're referring to. they're about 50 squid new and do work well, provided you'v got some flat level ground to use them on. 2nd hand dunlop tracking gauges (still the best imho) on the bay for under a ton. they come up regularly