dano
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| posted on 30/3/15 at 11:50 AM |
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how can i get my tracking done?
My car is on the road but haven't had my tracking done properly, just roughly pointed the wheels forward for the IVA.
Im getting all the little jobs done ready for summer I want to get the tracking sorted properly, the car is a Dax rush and I think they are normally
tracked to 0 degress.
The problem is, I've been to two garages now that cant do the tracking because there equipment wont fit under my cycle wing arches, which are
very snug on the rush, I don't want to remove these as they are bonded on.
Is there anywhere that uses different equipment that will suit or will I be better off playing with string and laser pens in the garage?
Thanks Dan
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wylliezx9r
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| posted on 30/3/15 at 12:00 PM |
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I don't know exactly how the dax rush cycle wings work, but surely you must be able to take the cycle wing bracket and arch off as one piece ?
Get the tracking done and then re-fit ?
I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered.
George Best
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J-16
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| posted on 30/3/15 at 12:01 PM |
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I've just done my alignment using the string method after the local tire shop couldn't get it right after three attempts.
Steering wheel is now perfectly straight and the car handles well, will keep an eye on tyre wear.
Next time I will use fishing line and a digital caliper to improve the accuracy.
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dano
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| posted on 30/3/15 at 12:08 PM |
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I cant remove the cycle wing bracket, its sort of bolts between the top of the upright and top wishbone ball joint, so wouldn't really work with
out it,
do any garages use different equipment that doesn't hook over the top of the tyre?
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The Black Flash
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| posted on 30/3/15 at 12:13 PM |
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A local motorsport place did my Rush, didn't mention any problems. They advertise that they do work on Caterhams so that's why I went
there. But maybe they just used a piece of string :-/
Might be worth looking for that sort of garage though rather than a normal one?
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Madinventions
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| posted on 30/3/15 at 12:16 PM |
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I used a local garage that I found using this site: http://www.alignmycar.co.uk/
They had a Hunter jig and did a full 4 wheel alignment and did not need to hang off the top of the tyre. Maybe worth checking if there's one
near you?
Failing that, a decent level floor with 4 axle stands and some string can give very sensible results if you're patient and careful.
Mojo build diary: http://www.madinventions.co.uk
Solo music project: Syrrenfor http://www.reverbnation.com/syrrenfor
View my band website:
http://www.shadowlight.org.uk
http://www.eastangliankitcars.co.uk/
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Brian R
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| posted on 30/3/15 at 12:24 PM |
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Try and find somebody with a pair of these. More modern ones are similar but use lasers.
http://www.interex.co.uk/motorsport/content/images/products/AGO40_v2.jpg
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mcerd1
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| posted on 30/3/15 at 12:34 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by wylliezx9r
I don't know exactly how the dax rush cycle wings work...
The stays on the Sierra based Rush are welded on as part on the mushrooms, so removing isn't going to work 
As above the answer is to find a place with better / more modern tools
Procomp aren't all that far from you and they'd setup far more than just the tracking 
[Edited on 30/3/2015 by mcerd1]
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loggyboy
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| posted on 30/3/15 at 12:38 PM |
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Buy one of these (or make one of these out of some ally and some threaded rod)
http://www.premiermotorsportdevelopments.co.uk/adjustable-tracking-gauge-620-p.asp
Mistral Motorsport
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DJT
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| posted on 30/3/15 at 12:45 PM |
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I used two 15mm copper pipe lengths and some bright orange fishing line. Drilled very small holes in the pipes, near the ends, at equal distances to
hold the strings parallel down the sides of the car. Clamped the pipes to axle stands in front and behind the car at wheel centre level. Adjusted
the pipe positions until the string to wheel centres distances were even, using a steel rule marked in mm. Then measured the outside front and rear
of each rim to the string. Adjusted each wheel geometry as necessary.
It might not be absolutely perfect, but I'm fairly sure it is quite accurate. For sure, it is miles better than the original guess settings
used to build the car and I'm not going to take it to Quik Fit and have somebody hacking away underneath with an adjustable spanner trying to
adjust the rear rose joints. Plus it was very satisfying to do it myself and I can re-adjust myself whenever I need to.
http://tigeravonbuilddiary.blogspot.com/
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Chris_Xtreme
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| posted on 30/3/15 at 12:46 PM |
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http://www.merityre.co.uk/wheel-alignment
have done mine before - don't recall them having to get under the wheel arch, the tool hung on the rim if I remember correctly.
not sure if there is one close enough to you tho.
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dano
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| posted on 30/3/15 at 12:47 PM |
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thanks for all the suggestions guys,
I've found a couple places about 5miles away that seem to be better equipped, I try them first.
I do plan to go Procomp, but was going to wait till after I've refurbished my suspension next winter,
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whitestu
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| posted on 30/3/15 at 06:06 PM |
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I used a Trakrite which seems to do the job perfectly.
They cost about £40
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907
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| posted on 30/3/15 at 07:11 PM |
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I keep meaning to make a gauge. Needs to be this shape.
[__________]
The tops need to be threaded so they adjust up onto the wheel rim half way up the wheel.
Set to the rearmost part of the rim, then transfer to the forward edge of the rim.
It would be easy with an assistant. (wife)
Paul G
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motorcycle_mayhem
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| posted on 30/3/15 at 07:13 PM |
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String, and care, will give you superb results.
The three cars that I've set up on string, were later placed on a John Bean laser bench. Absolutely no difference in the numerical output.
You can start from the basics with a stripped chassis, cross the suspension points to find the centre-line of the chassis, taking measurements from
that. This is the starting point for the repair you'll need to do when you plant the car into the wall at Quarry Corner.
Just take care. Get some good spirit levels for camber, castor and bump steer.
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cliftyhanger
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| posted on 31/3/15 at 07:05 AM |
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Can anybody share a link to the string method for tracking? and castor, I am struggling to get my head round that too. Camber is easy enough with a
string inclinometer.....that I can do!
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J-16
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| posted on 31/3/15 at 07:30 AM |
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Have a look on YouTube, there are lots of vids under DIY Wheel Alignment
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02GF74
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| posted on 31/3/15 at 11:08 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by 907
I keep meaning to make a gauge. Needs to be this shape.
[__________]
The tops need to be threaded so they adjust up onto the wheel rim half way up the wheel.
Set to the rearmost part of the rim, then transfer to the forward edge of the rim.
It would be easy with an assistant. (wife)
Paul G
I made a wooden frame like thay, bits of coat hanger wire on the ends that can be bent.
It slips in from the front and contacts the rim front and rear.
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907
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| posted on 31/3/15 at 11:51 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by 02GF74
quote:
Originally posted by 907
I keep meaning to make a gauge. Needs to be this shape.
[__________]
The tops need to be threaded so they adjust up onto the wheel rim half way up the wheel.
Set to the rearmost part of the rim, then transfer to the forward edge of the rim.
It would be easy with an assistant. (wife)
Paul G
I made a wooden frame like thay, bits of coat hanger wire on the ends that can be bent.
It slips in from the front and contacts the rim front and rear.
Did my wife help you then ?
It's just that she didn't mention it.
Paul G
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loggyboy
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| posted on 31/3/15 at 12:00 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by 907
I keep meaning to make a gauge. Needs to be this shape.
[__________]
The tops need to be threaded so they adjust up onto the wheel rim half way up the wheel.
Set to the rearmost part of the rim, then transfer to the forward edge of the rim.
It would be easy with an assistant. (wife)
Paul G
Like the link I posted above?
I made one like below, which was an adaption of the one you describe that my dad had already made, which needed 2 people. This one only needs 1, and
can also be used to measure camber.
Only issue with mine is it needed some well made connections/triangulation to keep it from flexing.
[Edited on 31-3-15 by loggyboy]
Mistral Motorsport
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mark chandler
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| posted on 31/3/15 at 12:19 PM |
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String is the way forwards 
Another solution is to use a laser level, park the car 10 ft from a wall pointing directly at it.
Tape a couple of nuts to the laser level at the wheel rim width so you can hold the laser against the wheel not the tyres crossing the centre, now
point at the wall and draw a line where the dot is, repeat on the other side.
Now measure the width of the wheels, add the distance of the nut to the laser x 2 and if they are the same width as the lines on the wall the wheels
are parallel.
Use a bit of trig and you can then work out the toe in that you require.
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