Tracking

**Posted:** Thu Mar 31, 2005 10:36 pm

Had my car tracked at a commercial garage 3 weeks ago, they claimed the left wheel was out of alignment. Fair enough for 22 quid.

After a few days i decided to take it back because the car wouldnt drive straight unless you have the steering wheel slightly off - no central.

Took it back to the garage whereupon they claimed it was spot on.

2 weeks later Im fed up with driving like this, jack the car up straight after work, take wheel off and adjust the right hand wheel 'by hand' with my best judgement/

Only moved it a very small amount but to my surprise its cured the off-steering.

I like to think it was more judgement than luck, thanks for reading :P

sorry about essay :oops:

**Posted:** Thu Mar 31, 2005 10:46 pm

My steering wheels been slightly off for 3 1/2 years, curtousy of S**tFit :evil:

:twisted:

**Posted:** Thu Mar 31, 2005 10:51 pm

How do you cope? I cant stand anything being wrong with my car! I have developed a rattle in the boot and its driving me nuts.

**Posted:** Thu Mar 31, 2005 10:59 pm

yup mines out everytime I get it tracked... cant be bothered complaining tho, next time i getting it done somewhere else.. car does drive nice and straight tho

**Posted:** Fri Apr 01, 2005 12:08 am

Mike, it IS driving me nuts, as is the tinny rattle fron the front which has no source as far as i can see, but every lazy tosser whos been asked to fix goes 'ohh, its got an air bag, if you want your wheel to be straight, you'll have to get a dealer to "reset it" for you', i swear to god, i'll never ask again, because i'll go mental and get arrested :twisted:

**Posted:** Fri Apr 01, 2005 7:59 am

[quote="fastmike"]How do you cope? I cant stand anything being wrong with my car! I have developed a rattle in the boot and its driving me nuts.[/quote]

Mine's also got a bit of a squeak from the rear end somewhere - I find that turning the stereo up cures it !!

:wink:

**Posted:** Fri Apr 01, 2005 9:35 am

[quote="Smotter"][quote="fastmike"]How do you cope? I cant stand anything being wrong with my car! I have developed a rattle in the boot and its driving me nuts.[/quote]

Mine's also got a bit of a squeak from the rear end somewhere - I find that turning the stereo up cures it !!

:wink:

[/quote]

That'll be the beans you had Smotter :lol:

**Joined:** Tue Aug 17, 2004 7:42 pm **Posts:** 19

andym323 i also have this rattle in the front think it is coming from the vents. also doors front and rear Boot and seat belt adjuster by right ear. Think it would be easier to list where it don't rattle. Drives me crazy :shock:

**Posted:** Fri Apr 01, 2005 5:58 pm

yup am with you on that one Nick ...

If mine stopped rattling I would be getting worried me thinks

**Posted:** Fri Apr 01, 2005 10:07 pm

Think its a case of going all around the car with a screwdriver tightening any lose screws or putting foam in places which rattle to cure it lol

**Joined:** Tue Aug 17, 2004 7:42 pm **Posts:** 19

Could use that spray in gap filler. Just stick it in and squirt in all the holes you can find.

**Joined:** Tue Aug 17, 2004 7:42 pm **Posts:** 19

Sorry just realised that sounds a bit rude. :oops:

**Joined:** Mon Sep 29, 2003 9:59 pm **Posts:** 38

Mine rattles like mad as well, all the door panels and the dash - must be the stiff suspension on the V6 - worth the sacrifice

I've had my tracking done twice at different garages on one of those fancy 4 wheel alignment machines. 1st time was spot on, but over time the steering wheel worked its way slightly off centre again. So I had it done again, just the front this time though, still slighty off centre. Gave up, suppose to keep hold of the steering wheel when driving anyways. :wink:

**Posted:** Sun Apr 03, 2005 7:43 pm

I had my tracking done a little whle ago and the steering wheel is turning slightly left when going straight-ahead. This is slightly annoying but I've gotten used to it; the flip-side to this is that the small amount of 'dead space' at the straight-ahead has now been eliminated......

not sure if I prefer to have a 'proper pointing steering wheel' or slightly quicker steering response more..... Decisions, decisions.

**Posted:** Sun Apr 03, 2005 8:51 pm

Usually, they are supposed to centre your steering wheel before they do tracking. Then they put this springy thing between the steering wheel & the seat to hold it centred while they set the alignment. One option you have now is to remove the steering wheel and replace it straight ?

**Posted:** Mon Apr 04, 2005 12:47 am

You need to deactivate the airbag of course taking the steering wheel off. Guess its ok for folks with aftermarket wheels

**Posted:** Mon Apr 04, 2005 7:51 am

I'm not sure if the steering is linear across it's range. If not, you need to have the tracking re-done and make sure they centre the steering wheel. Just take it back and them to re-do it.

It really annoys me when my steering wheel is not centred, it actually puts me off my driving.

Mark

**Posted:** Mon Apr 04, 2005 8:56 am

I had this happen once, just took it back and they had to re-do it FREE.

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