Ice skating!

Finally! my s3 is insured and on the road, so was driving about in it today.
Great fun! till i hit patches of snow/ice, then its like trying to steer a wonky shopping trolley!
It just takes a dive to the right, thankfully ist too icy to go quick so not an issue. However it does need sorting.
Figured its the wheel alignment/tracking.
So i measured between the rims at wheel centre and front and back of front wheels.
there is over 10mm difference with the wheels being splayed outwards, tried to adjust it but the rod ends are siezed in the bars and i didnt want to force it and break the ends.
Any one got a easy fix?

Lots of releasing fluid and a big pair of stilsons - you might have to take the rod out to loosen off the balljoints. Use coppaslip on reassembly. You only need about 2mm of toe out so 10mm is a bit big, but check the wheel bearings are adjusted and the swivels aren't worn first.

ok, will try to wip it out, to check bearings and swivel, i assume its just jack up and check for movement? up, down and side to side?

Jamesbil said:

ok, will try to wip it out, to check bearings and swivel, i assume its just jack up and check for movement? up, down and side to side?

Click to expand...

Wont tell you if they're good but WILL tell you if they're knackered......which is good enough for most folks.....oh yeah.....check for rumble from the bearings when you spin the wheels

Look out for excess play in the wheel. Vertical play will be bearings plus swivels, horizontal play is bearings only. There should be a little bit but not too much.

ok, after a bit more looking, the track rod ends look like they are screwed all the way in, but i need to screw them further in as the wheels are splayed outwards instead of slightly in as they should be.
the rod itself, measures about 43".
what is going on?
is this the correct length?
is it a homemade bar?

any advice appreciated!
James

anyone got a length for the tie rod itself?

No, but the balljoint centres should be 1030 to 1033 mm or 45.5 to 45.7 inches for initial setup. There's usually 3 or 4 threads visible at each end. If the rod is too long you might be able to trim it if the threads go deep enough.

your using the green bible?
Trouble is those figures are wrong! 1030mm is actually 40.5"!
The next page states 1160mm to be 45.6" which is correct.

im going to take it off and try to screw them in a bit, might need to trim it tho.
still trying to find rod length!

Ooh, well spotted. I went for the imperial dimensions when refitting mine and it looks about right.