Adjusting tracking on 1987 90

I feel ridiculous asking this as I know its been covered a million and one times but even searching on Google I can't find the simple method that I've seen before.

Anyway. What's the easiest way to adjust tracking at home? I'm sure I've read of a method involving a tape measure and some chalk and that's about it. Just fitted a new drag link and the tracking is well out which is a pain so hopefully could get it sorted by tommorow and possibly this could cure my vibration

id get tracking set properly then adjust drag link yourself whilst steering box is centered

I would but I'm skinto at the moment so this is just a stop gap measure until I can phone the gentleman I usually visit

Centre the steering wheel, then get the O/S front wheel dead straight ahead by adjusting the drag link, using a straight edge from the rear wheel.
Then adjust the track rod to get the N/S wheel dead straight (again using the straight edge).
Measure the distance between the front tyres at the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions and fine adjust to get them the same. (LR spec is +/-6mm!)

No need for fancy laser rigs on a tratter!

Cheers dude

the_wolf said:

Cheers dude

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then get it set properly once youve some funds ,plus or minus 6mm isnt correct,you can drie any vehicle set badly but that doesnt make it good to do so, same with drag link you can drive with box off set ,but you shouldnt

Will only be for a week or so so should be fine. It'll be better than it is at the moment

String! simple and works well!!

My bro was working at LR dealership years ago they had issues with a RRC wearing tyres was on and off the tracking machines all day for a few months. Eventually a Tech bod came from LR Armed with a ball of builders line!!

I have one of these. May be a bit expensive at first but of the years it will pay oft.

Trackace DIY laser wheel alignment tracking gauge. Poor wheel alignment wastes fuel, damages tyres & increases your CO2 emissions carbon emissions.

My old man has the old skool pointers on stands for works extremely well for toe in tow out could be made easy enough tho

Hippo said:

I have one of these. May be a bit expensive at first but of the years it will pay oft.

Trackace DIY laser wheel alignment tracking gauge. Poor wheel alignment wastes fuel, damages tyres & increases your CO2 emissions carbon emissions.

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hmm what a good tool

That does look good doesn't it? Maybe at some point in the future as tracking costs £40 a pop! I know its done right but its not cheap and it adds up.

Hippo how much did you pay? I'll go with treweys method for now and get it done professionally on payday but I like that wee tool . More and more I'm getting tools that will let me fix and do pretty much anything and everything at home and that looks worthwhile

the_wolf said:

That does look good doesn't it? Maybe at some point in the future as tracking costs £40 a pop! I know its done right but its not cheap and it adds up.

Hippo how much did you pay? I'll go with treweys method for now and get it done professionally on payday but I like that wee tool . More and more I'm getting tools that will let me fix and do pretty much anything and everything at home and that looks worthwhile

Click to expand...

Think I paid around £60 to £70. I wrote this some time ago to help someone understand how to do a FL:

Use some stand to put tight fishing line in paralell along side the Freelander. Measure the distance from the parallel fishing lines, allowing for the rear track to be 11mm wider than the fronts. Now make sure the fishing lines are the same distance apart in front and behind yer Freelander. Now do the wheel distance to fishing line measurements again. Now do the parallel line measurements again. Keep doing this and adjusting to get it perfect. Now set rear wheel degrees with trackace. Now check centre alignment of rear wheels with fishing line. Now measure fishing lines/wheels to slightly adjust fishing line to be perfect again. Repeat rear wheel/fishing line setup until perfect. Now do the same to the fronts. Once setup you need to test drive it to see if steering in central. If not, adjust both sides to move in the same direction, and check with traceace. Simple int it.

the_wolf said:

I feel ridiculous asking this as I know its been covered a million and one times but even searching on Google I can't find the simple method that I've seen before.

Anyway. What's the easiest way to adjust tracking at home? I'm sure I've read of a method involving a tape measure and some chalk and that's about it. Just fitted a new drag link and the tracking is well out which is a pain so hopefully could get it sorted by tommorow and possibly this could cure my vibration

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Just like you I was checking for DIY/home methods of adjusting tracking/wheel alignment because at low speeds I was experiencing a small but annoying wobble that I could feel in my steering.

However, I decided it was wise to cover the basics first. So after a wheel rotation my vibration/wobble has literally all but disappeared. My next step is to remove the panhard rod and replace bushings.

Then go for the "professional" alignment job.

My only concern with the tape measure and chalk method is that it is difficult to be as accurate in comparison to a system which employs the pinpoint accuracy of lasers. I've seen people use string and chalk using varying methods (some questionable) and all claim great results.
Mind you, I plan to give the chalk and tape method a try before I get the "professional" job done.
Please post your results and I'll do the same when I give it a shot this weekend.

All the best.

the_wolf said:

That does look good doesn't it? Maybe at some point in the future as tracking costs £40 a pop! I know its done right but its not cheap and it adds up.

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40 quid for tracking check

Yeah that's mostly what it costs around here. The guy I go to is very good and works independently but its £20 for an alignment check then £20 for any adjustments. Most franchises or tyre garages won't touch it as its 'too large' apparently :s