Tracking problems

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H

hilly1

New Member
Posts
55
Location
peterborough
When my 1998 300tdi went for its mot I was advised to change a track rod end.
Got home and thought sod it if I,m going to get under it and dirty I will change both.
All done and I drove it and the tracking was out alittle, so I took it for tracking drove it away and the steering wheel was off center to the right and it was pulling to the left.
Went back told them this and they played again but this time the wheel was off center to the left and it was still pulling to the left.
It has had no new tyres or anything else done to make it pull to the left and before I changed the track rod ends it drove perfect, but the garage are telling me I have buggered up the steering, anyone know how I could have done this or should I just take it to another garage and have the work done properly as I dont trust this garage anymore.
Many thanks,
Mark.
 
hilly1 said:
When my 1998 300tdi went for its mot I was advised to change a track rod end.
Got home and thought sod it if I,m going to get under it and dirty I will change both.
All done and I drove it and the tracking was out alittle, so I took it for tracking drove it away and the steering wheel was off center to the right and it was pulling to the left.
Went back told them this and they played again but this time the wheel was off center to the left and it was still pulling to the left.
It has had no new tyres or anything else done to make it pull to the left and before I changed the track rod ends it drove perfect, but the garage are telling me I have buggered up the steering, anyone know how I could have done this or should I just take it to another garage and have the work done properly as I dont trust this garage anymore.
Many thanks,
Mark.
Click to expand...

They should have wedged/strapped the steering wheel in the central position to make sure it stays straight. Then they loosen the securing collars at the track rod ends. By twisting the 2 bars they should be able to get the tracking right while keeping the steering wheel correctly centred.

The garage don't have a clue what they are doing. Ask em to give you your money back and take it elsewhere.
 
ratty said:
They should have wedged/strapped the steering wheel in the central position to make sure it stays straight. Then they loosen the securing collars at the track rod ends. By twisting the 2 bars they should be able to get the tracking right while keeping the steering wheel correctly centred.

The garage don't have a clue what they are doing. Ask em to give you your money back and take it elsewhere.
Click to expand...

I am going to them this week to ask for my cash back and not going to let them touch the Disco again as I think your right they didn't have a clue by the looks of it



PASTMASTER said:
Most tyre people won't touch the tracking on a disco. Take it to a LR specialist?
Click to expand...

I have got both Nene overland and Footloose 4x4 on my door step I just hope they do tracking.
 
hilly1 said:
I am going to them this week to ask for my cash back and not going to let them touch the Disco again as I think your right they didn't have a clue by the looks of it


I have got both Nene overland and Footloose 4x4 on my door step I just hope they do tracking.
Click to expand...

I bent the trackrod on my 110 last year and after fitting a replacement I tracked it up with a piece of string. When I finally got around to getting the tracking done professionally I found out that I was only 1mm out. If I can do a pretty good job with a bit of string I would expect a top notch job with propper gauges.

If the garage refuse to refund your money it may be worth talking to your local trading standards office.
 
Went to another garage today about my tracking only to be told that they dont do tracking on motors with 18" rims. I told him that it was on std 16" disco rims and he told me that I have got the wrong wheels and tyres on it thats why it wrong.
I dont need to say that I didnt stay there long :doh:.
Have got it booked in at another place for later in the week so I hope it gets sorted then.
 
hilly1 said:
Went to another garage today about my tracking only to be told that they dont do tracking on motors with 18" rims. I told him that it was on std 16" disco rims and he told me that I have got the wrong wheels and tyres on it thats why it wrong.
I dont need to say that I didnt stay there long :doh:.
Have got it booked in at another place for later in the week so I hope it gets sorted then.
Click to expand...
Got to be a LR specialist. No-one else understands us.....:(
 
hilly1 said:
Went to another garage today about my tracking only to be told that they dont do tracking on motors with 18" rims. I told him that it was on std 16" disco rims and he told me that I have got the wrong wheels and tyres on it thats why it wrong.
I dont need to say that I didnt stay there long :doh:.
Have got it booked in at another place for later in the week so I hope it gets sorted then.
Click to expand...

If you add your location in your profile there may be somebody nearby that can recommend somewhere to you.;)
 
After having the main dealer in Belfast make a balls of my tracking twice, I went to a place recommended by my local independant (Philip White Tyres in Lisburn). This place has a machine that provides a print out of figures achieved against expected for the car. I was suprised to get a print out actually. They did a great job, steering straight and no more uneven wear.

Really like the sound of the measuring tape technique. On the D2 you can only adjust the front wheels so sounds like an option.

Cheers, Andy
 
andymach23 said:
Really like the sound of the measuring tape technique. On the D2 you can only adjust the front wheels so sounds like an option.

Cheers, Andy
Click to expand...
The easiest is the adjustable rod measurer which someone has already mentioned. Basically a tube with a rod in each end, one fixed and one adjustable (a simple grub screw would do but something you can tighten with your fingers is better). It's important to measure against the rims, at the same height in front of and behind the swivel. This was pretty standard until the advent of modern cars like the mini with the engine and other bits getting in the way. My dad made one and we used it for years, but it's got lost somewhere along the way.
I'm afraid I get my indie repairman to do it. He says they are all (Landrovers) a bit different and it's important to keep an eye on your tyres for edge wear. My local (very helpful) tyre man will check the adjustment for me, but refuses to actually adjust it if it's out - says it's beyond the capability of his equipment!
 
The haynes manual will give you a specific length to set your track rod ends to.
If you do this first and then fit it to the disco you will not be too far out.

I have also used an extending caravan awning pole to gauge the distance between the wheels at the front and back of the rim or tyre. You gan get it dead on by this method if you take your time.

If your steering wheel is off centre then adjust the front drag link to centre it.

I have also been turned by two tyre depots here and I reckon they just did not want to do the job or they are just PLONKERS.

Give it a go it's easy.
 
Ok all done and it was out when they got it onto there machine so it wasn,t set right.
Drives in a straight line and wheel now in the center at last.
The other garage is still saying they where right and its my steering at fault. I,m not going to leave it there I want some or all of my money back.
 
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