Tracking

BennyBongo · Post by **BennyBongo** » Sat May 05, 2007 9:44 pm

Hi folks,

Can anyone help. I need to get the tracking checked on my new baby but the tyre co. need the data as they haven't got a Bongo listed.
Thanks in advance.

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Sat May 05, 2007 10:12 pm

My Workshop Manual says this:

FRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENT

Steering Angles
-Inspection
Use a turning radius gauge to check the steering angle

Standard value Inner Side 39 degrees + or - 2 degrees
Outer side 35 degrees + or - 2 degrees

Would this be it? There's also stuff about camber and caster angles but I dont suppose that is what you need right now?

Hope this helps

Mike

francophile1947 · Post by **francophile1947** » Sat May 05, 2007 11:09 pm

Does it mention toe-in or toe-out Mike?

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Sat May 05, 2007 11:16 pm

No, and that was what I was looking for. So I just typed in the nearest likely looking thing and hope it makes sense to the mechanic(s). I think the translation in the Workshop Manual may 'suffer' at times as (for example) the Japs may not use the expression 'toe in'. Dunno.

BennyBongo · Post by **BennyBongo** » Sun May 06, 2007 8:27 am

Thanks for the info Mike but in my experience tyre depots only have the equipment (and mental capabilities) to measure the tracking eg. toe settings. The measurements you have are, I believe, used to set up the total steering and suspension geometry by people such as Main Dealers and Body Repair Shops.

timhum · Post by **timhum** » Sun May 06, 2007 8:28 am

Check out "Wheel Data" in the fact sheets. It is all there. I took the sheets to the tyre shop when I needed a full set and they did the business.
The "Average toe in value" is given as -1.7 they understood that and the Bongo seems better after the adjustment.
The fact sheet gives all the instructions needed for an experienced tyre fitter.
He seemed to understand what was going on anyway. He seemed impressed that I had the info and took time to get it right.
My usual mechanic told me to ask for a "4 wheel" tracking check. That is the one when they put the mirrors in the back wheels and fire a laser down the side of the vehicle.
I know virtually nothing about all this but armed with the data sheet and the 4 wheel tracking advice, the tyre fitter realised I was not to be fobbed off and was very conscientious.
Hope this helps,
Tim

BennyBongo · Post by **BennyBongo** » Sun May 06, 2007 9:18 am

Tim

you've obviously got an intelligent tyre fitter where you are. I took my other car into a local company to have the front tyres swapped from side to side and the muppet let the jack down too quickly - result = suspension compressed and car stopped it's downward travel when it hit the jack. Cost them £1200 for the repair

but as a good bit of P.R. they didn't charge me for swapping the tyres over.

timhum · Post by **timhum** » Sun May 06, 2007 11:15 am

Yikes, at least they had the decency to put things right and give you the tyres.
I guess I had the muppet tendency on my mind when I mentioned going in complete with knowledge and jargon to show them you know what you are expecting.
I have had bad service in tyre fitting places before and found myself being fobbed off if it was the easy way out.
Another thing I forgot to add is to tell them to torque the wheelbolts to 110 foot pounds. I was not sure of the amount (someone will be along in a minute who knows the correct value) but it stops them making a roadside tyrechange impossible with their impact drivers.
Cheers,
Tim