sorted

23rd August 2011, 18:13

As titled, my tracking is a tiny bit out so thought I would get it done today but I went to a few garages and they all said that they wouldn't do it as my car was lowered? And talking to some of my mates they have said that they also have trouble; so is it just my town or is there a reason?

23rd August 2011, 18:16

one of the garages i went to in my town wouldnt do it either mate, there just nobbers.
the garage that i now use for all the stuff i cant do myself dont have a problem with it.
infact i went for my tracking last week and they flew it on the ramp and tracked it up in like 10 mins. no problems.

23rd August 2011, 18:18

It's the same around my town!

23rd August 2011, 18:18

if your car is too low so that the tracking plates cant attach around the top of the tyre then its impossible on most systems. you can get the car tracked using old fashion methods though

23rd August 2011, 18:20

Maybe they are worried about damaging or something..
or as said just nobbers.

23rd August 2011, 18:21

As above most tracking gauges won't fit between the tyre and the arch

23rd August 2011, 18:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by gaz4399

if your car is too low so that the tracking plates cant attach around the top of the tyre then its impossible on most systems. you can get the car tracked using old fashion methods though

my housemate tom5190 had someone in oxford say they cant do it because its too low, and he used to work at a garage and did it by him self fine, so i think its more to do with the fact most garages cba with modified cars

but your point is deffo a valid one

23rd August 2011, 18:25

some people need to learn more about how tracking works, and how they go about doing it...

you may also want to learn about how suspension works too, with regards to caster, camber, and toe.

23rd August 2011, 18:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffchiz

my housemate tom5190 had someone in oxford say they cant do it because its too low, and he used to work at a garage and did it by him self fine, so i think its more to do with the fact most garages cba with modified cars

but your point is deffo a valid one

i work in a garage mate, it all depends on what system you use tbh, some will work on low cars but most modern ones dont.

in the link below you will see that the plates need to hook onto the top of the tyre and this is the reason why you cant track cars where you have no access to the top of the tyre

http://www.redesignracing.com/redesi...-alignment.asp

23rd August 2011, 18:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonto_VTR

some people need to learn more about how tracking works, and how they go about doing it...

you may also want to learn about how suspension works too, with regards to caster, camber, and toe.

oooook, i understand why you said the first part, but the second part is a bit ott, the OP only wants his tracking done so his wheel is straight, bless him lol

23rd August 2011, 18:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonto_VTR

you may also want to learn about how suspension works too, with regards to caster, camber, and toe.

Was just looking for a simple answer as to why they wouldn't do it, not looking for revision areas on the subject to sit an exam on tracking...

23rd August 2011, 18:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by gaz4399

i work in a garage mate, it all depends on what system you use tbh, some will work on low cars but most modern ones dont.

in the link below you will see that the plates need to hook onto the top of the tyre and this is the reason why you cant track cars where you have no access to the top of the tyre

http://www.redesignracing.com/redesi...-alignment.asp

yea i see what you mean

most lowered cars arent stupidly low though, even saxo's down 60mm still have arch gap, im sure those plates would fit on my car, might be a bit questionable at the rear though, but i can still fit a digit above the wheel lol

23rd August 2011, 18:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffchiz

yea i see what you mean

most lowered cars arent stupidly low though, even saxo's down 60mm still have arch gap, im sure those plates would fit on my car, might be a bit questionable at the rear though, but i can still fit a digit above the wheel lol

yes i should of made that clearer mate, you can track lowered cars on the system which i showed you above for example, providing you have enough access around the top of the tyre to do so.

23rd August 2011, 18:52

just to clarify, my garage used a tracking device that has two arms that hook over the wheels and it fitted no problem with the car lowered 40mm.

23rd August 2011, 18:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by rick_VTR

just to clarify, my garage used a tracking device that has two arms that hook over the wheels and it fitted no problem with the car lowered 40mm.

yeah you will be fine lowered that much on a saxo, garages refusing to track a saxo at that height will most likely be against modified cars

23rd August 2011, 19:00

I may be being stupid here, but could you not put it on a two post lift( the one that has the 4 points, one on each end of each sill) and lift the car just enough for the gauge to fit under? or would this affect adjusting the tracking?

Cheers

23rd August 2011, 19:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by AL3X_

I may be being stupid here, but could you not put it on a two post lift( the one that has the 4 points, one on each end of each sill) and lift the car just enough for the gauge to fit under? or would this affect adjusting the tracking?

Cheers

that wouldnt work mate as you need to have the car resting on all four wheels to get the correct readings

23rd August 2011, 19:43

by the response of my previous comment...

i stick by it. you lower your car, it will effect the caster, camber and toe of your wheels.
most garages have a simple tracking device, that will not be able to adjust the set up to compensate for the (even if minimal) changes made by lowering.

so, you have lowred your car, you take it to a garage to get tracked, they set it back to the manafacture spec, so they should be pointing straight, and you then get a smooth inner edge of your tyre... you will argue they didnt do the tracking correct, where in fact, no, you fucked up the camber.
they wont do it, because of the hassle it could potentially case them in the future.

a super tracker, would be able to sort this out
even better a hunter.

basic, hook over the wheels / lazers, will allow you to adjust toe, and toe only as its a basic set up.

understand now? or again, am i talking crap?

23rd August 2011, 19:48

i had the same problem today, apparently it has to go to citroen. Thanks for that info tho tonto at least I understand why they cant do it now

23rd August 2011, 19:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonto_VTR

by the response of my previous comment...

i stick by it. you lower your car, it will effect the caster, camber and toe of your wheels.
most garages have a simple tracking device, that will not be able to adjust the set up to compensate for the (even if minimal) changes made by lowering.

so, you have lowred your car, you take it to a garage to get tracked, they set it back to the manafacture spec, so they should be pointing straight, and you then get a smooth inner edge of your tyre... you will argue they didnt do the tracking correct, where in fact, no, you fucked up the camber.
they wont do it, because of the hassle it could potentially case them in the future.

a super tracker, would be able to sort this out
even better a hunter.

basic, hook over the wheels / lazers, will allow you to adjust toe, and toe only as its a basic set up.

understand now? or again, am i talking crap?

Bang on. We used a super tracker at my old garage, decent set up with bluetooth to a pc and digital gauges

23rd August 2011, 19:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonto_VTR

by the response of my previous comment...

i stick by it. you lower your car, it will effect the caster, camber and toe of your wheels.
most garages have a simple tracking device, that will not be able to adjust the set up to compensate for the (even if minimal) changes made by lowering.

so, you have lowred your car, you take it to a garage to get tracked, they set it back to the manafacture spec, so they should be pointing straight, and you then get a smooth inner edge of your tyre... you will argue they didnt do the tracking correct, where in fact, no, you fucked up the camber.
they wont do it, because of the hassle it could potentially case them in the future.

a super tracker, would be able to sort this out
even better a hunter.

basic, hook over the wheels / lazers, will allow you to adjust toe, and toe only as its a basic set up.

understand now? or again, am i talking crap?

no one said your talking crap, obviously you know what your talking about, but look at his first question, which was, was the garage talking crap when they said they wont do his tracking because its lowered, and by the responses a lot of garage wont do lowered cars, therefore his question was answered
the way you come across is very abrupt and almost rude, just little comments can be taken the wrong way when you talk over the internet

and now i have said this, im sure this will spark an argument

23rd August 2011, 19:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonto_VTR

by the response of my previous comment...

i stick by it. you lower your car, it will effect the caster, camber and toe of your wheels.
most garages have a simple tracking device, that will not be able to adjust the set up to compensate for the (even if minimal) changes made by lowering.

so, you have lowred your car, you take it to a garage to get tracked, they set it back to the manafacture spec, so they should be pointing straight, and you then get a smooth inner edge of your tyre... you will argue they didnt do the tracking correct, where in fact, no, you fucked up the camber.
they wont do it, because of the hassle it could potentially case them in the future.

a super tracker, would be able to sort this out
even better a hunter.

basic, hook over the wheels / lazers, will allow you to adjust toe, and toe only as its a basic set up.

understand now? or again, am i talking crap?

I never said you were talking crap I just thought that the way you were speaking was a bit unnecessary as I was only a simple yes or no answer, as it is obvious that I dont know as much about this as you. Disregarding that, thank you for your input as it has answered my question and I will look for a garage with a super tracker or hunter. Think I might give Demon Tweeks a call tomorrow

23rd August 2011, 20:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matty

I never said you were talking crap I just thought that the way you were speaking was a bit unnecessary as I was only a simple yes or no answer, as it is obvious that I dont know as much about this as you. Disregarding that, thank you for your input as it has answered my question.

sorry if it came across, abrubt or rude in anyway, but you were getting alot of bullshit answers.
and thats when problems start, when no one gives a good enough answer.

tracking a lowered car, is do able. just get it done right.
id suggest trying to find some where with a hunter machine, or atleast a supertracker - so the computer does all the working out.

23rd August 2011, 20:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonto_VTR

and thats when problems start, when no one gives a good enough answer.

are you refering to me?

i was merely answering the op without going into too much detail

23rd August 2011, 21:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonto_VTR

by the response of my previous comment...

i stick by it. you lower your car, it will effect the caster, camber and toe of your wheels.
most garages have a simple tracking device, that will not be able to adjust the set up to compensate for the (even if minimal) changes made by lowering.

so, you have lowred your car, you take it to a garage to get tracked, they set it back to the manafacture spec, so they should be pointing straight, and you then get a smooth inner edge of your tyre... you will argue they didnt do the tracking correct, where in fact, no, you fucked up the camber.
they wont do it, because of the hassle it could potentially case them in the future.

a super tracker, would be able to sort this out
even better a hunter.

basic, hook over the wheels / lazers, will allow you to adjust toe, and toe only as its a basic set up.

understand now? or again, am i talking crap?

that is what the garage i go to now have. the other garage said we wont track your car cause its lowered and lowering your car is stupid, its like that standard for a reason, so i just told him to fuck off and went to a different place. wrinkly old coffin dodger he was anyway.

23rd August 2011, 21:23

aha ^^^^^ lmao

23rd August 2011, 21:25

A place in Luton did mine for £30 and with a free check in the next few weeks.

He said Saxo's were a little tricky but the guy who was about to do it looked at the car and said he will struggle because he can't get his hand in-between the wheel arch.

He managed in the end, after about 40 mins

23rd August 2011, 21:25

......

23rd August 2011, 21:30

So, to conclude:

Tonto gives a nice structured answer with detailed (yet simple enough) reasons as to why the garage wouldnt track the car, and he ends up getting stick for it.

SaxP's intelligence shines through again.

23rd August 2011, 21:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by logic_guy

A place in Luton did mine for £30 and with a free check in the next few weeks.

He said Saxo's were a little tricky but the guy who was about to do it looked at the car and said he will struggle because he can't get his hand in-between the wheel arch.

He managed in the end, after about 40 mins

the saxo, is a tricky one, as the track rod ends are quite high up the arch, not as high as some people make them out to be

but, annoyingly out of the way.

i find the easiest way, is to do it like any other car and do it from under the car, and just reach! if you know what youre doing there shouldnt be any issues...going through the arch, or under the bonnet, would concern me, although i know many people who do it those ways.

im more than happy to do it for people, even with lowered cars, i just inform them they need to keep an eye on things and to come back in 3-4 weeks for me to check it again, and adjust if necessary.

23rd August 2011, 21:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by gaz4399

are you refering to me?

i was merely answering the op without going into too much detail

Quote:

Originally Posted by gaz4399

......

i wasnt making reference to anyone or any comments in particular, but if you feel the shoe fits...im not going to stop you wearing it.

23rd August 2011, 21:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ashleyp

So, to conclude:

Tonto gives a nice structured answer with detailed (yet simple enough) reasons as to why the garage wouldnt track the car, and he ends up getting stick for it.

SaxP's intelligence shines through again.

i feel loved.

Thanks.

23rd August 2011, 21:35

Tonts, good answer!

23rd August 2011, 21:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by jayyoung

Tonts, good answer!

thanks...now where is my awesomely stolen road sign ?
you know what i mean boy!

23rd August 2011, 21:38

the products people are referring to are great as mentionned but on a vast majority of standard cars, including saxos, the only parameter you can actually adjust is the front toe as the rest is fixed. The only way to get adjustment of camber, caster etc is to spend a lot of money.

23rd August 2011, 21:39

I can't get one, not a proper one thats not stolen....its two weeks of racing on the course so could potentially stop the races by nicking a sign

23rd August 2011, 21:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by jayyoung

I can't get one, not a proper one thats not stolen....its two weeks of racing on the course so could potentially stop the races by nicking a sign

do it, and in my eyes you would be a fucking hero! . . .

or

steal me a motor

only stop the race for once person then.

23rd August 2011, 21:46

Guys who sort my vehicles use a fairly new hunter, as long as I can get onto the ramp they can track it..

They even keep my custom settings on their computer

23rd August 2011, 21:46

and just....ride over on a race spec bike? alright!

23rd August 2011, 21:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by jayyoung

and just....ride over on a race spec bike? alright!

well it took them long enough to even spot the janspeed bag of crap...by the time they even notice the bike has gone, it would be in my room...and id be wanking, violently over it!

24th August 2011, 00:43

so out of interest, can they adjust the caster and camber on a saxo? if so how?

24th August 2011, 00:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by gaz4399

that wouldnt work mate as you need to have the car resting on all four wheels to get the correct readings

how about if you just raise it the little amount needed to get the gauge in between, as with cars when you jack them you remove the compression of the springs before the wheels actually start to lift?

24th August 2011, 01:06

My a3 cambers like shite, but i like it