wheel tracking ?

geraint13

Pro Tuner
Points
257
Location
Caerphilly, Wales
Car
Zafira 1.9 SRI
have noticed that my tracking is out on the fronts on the bmw. then also noticed un even wear on the backs aswell.
do you have to get the backs tracked aswell as the fronts on rwd as i have never had rears tracked before ?
the wear on the back goes as follows :-
thin on inside of tyre going to thicker towards outside.
could this be camber angle is out or somthing or just a case or tracking.
 
Always get all four aligned, whether RED, FWD or 4WD.

Aligning the fronts to an imaginary centre line is not adequate.

Unless the rears are aligned then there's no guarantee of the car tracking arrow straight. I've always had all four wheels aligned.

There are other adjustments as well so a full 4 wheel geometry setup is worthwhile considering if you have problems with straight line stability.

Something else to consider is to get the tracking aligned before you fit new tyres. This is because lifting and dropping the car to fit the tyres can upset the alignment temporarily. This results in false readings.
 
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Kwik Fit largely depends upon the individual manager and the staff he/she hires. If you have a good local branch (and you know them) then use them by all means.

Personally, though, I steer clear as I have had bad experiences with Kwik fit on many occasions over 20 or more years.

The biggest factor in wheel alignment is the attention to detail paid by the operator. Secondly, the equipment must be regularly calibrated. The garage will often display the calibration certificate in a public area.

One company I do like is Bathwick Tyres. I use their Bideford (Devon) branch if I need tyres services when I'm in that area. They have branches scattered all across SW England and quite a few in South Wales.

Here's their location map:- http://www.bathwicktyres.co.uk/locations.asp

They are extremely thorough and get my Primera absolutely arrow straight when the dealer couldn't manage it (the car was only 8 months old at the time as well).

If it's perfectly straight first time then let them know immediately and take the car back a 100 or so miles later. This gives everything time to settle.
 
like Paul i wont use Kwik Fit either, bunch of frigging monkeys. i always use a local garage called JK Tyres, they only specialise in this and dont mess about trying to do other things - guys are really friendly and very good plus prices are much lower than the 'chain' stores. (although suspect Stirling is probably bit too much of a trek to fit new tyres!) Let us know where you get yuors done in Cardiff, i still have a lot of family in the area (originally from Cardiff) so will pass it on to them.
 
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My local tyre garage doesn't have 4 wheel alignment,

My ca has torsion bar rear suspension which as far as I know can't be adjusted, so why should I go for a 4 wheel alignment?
 
Rear toe is still adjustable although this might require shims to be removed/added.

The reason for aligning all four is so that the thrust line points straight ahead otherwise the car will pull one way under acceleration and the other way under deceleration.

Basically it's the only way to get it truly straight.
 

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