Author Topic: Front end sorted (Read 3041 times)

Darrell · « **on:** May 27, 2006, 12:51:20 AM »

Amazingly... I found my wheel alignment to be way out!!

Ok so I got some info from one of the on line manuals that the wheels should be toe in by between 2-6mm.

So, I figured I'd put a brick up against each wheel to support strait edges so i can measure the wheel alignment.
I then placed a level on the one brick and up against the one wheel and a piece of strait wood on the other brick up against the other wheel (the level was just a strait edge, so was the wood)
I then measured with the aid of a friend the distance between the rear and front of my two strait edges.
My measurements told me what i suspected, and that was I was toe out by 9mm!!
I have done the adjustments and am now 4mm toe in.

This may not be hi-tech but it's worked and cost me nothing! And equal turns on each side ensured the steering didn't go crooked! Well...any more crooked than it was before!

She looks to have perked up in the front and handles like a dream.

However a set of new shocks wouldn't be a silly idea, thanks for the suggestion. I have inspected the spring which looks sound.

Co-incidently, I read that the 126 spring acts as an anti roll bar! Clever design and little wonder the car handles so good.

The only shocker I have to get over was the cost of a tyre I was quoted over Ã‚Â£40!
I thought a nice Pirelli would be nice...but at that price, maybe not! :roll:

neil 126 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 28, 2006, 10:19:28 PM »

well done on getting hte toe sorted, i like your back to basics approach with regards this problem, sounds exactly like something i would do.
I remember taking my bis into the fiat garage to get the toe fixed, they very cheekily charged me for fixing it, but blatently had not even looked at it. the front edges of the wheels were practically touching.
well worth it though, handeling was much improved and saved me tyres too.

ChrisRLewis · « **Reply #2 on:** May 28, 2006, 10:34:13 PM »

On the subject of tracking what do you guys do? I know the tyre/exhust centres will not touch the ones with the steering box in my area.
I purchased one of those Gunsons drive over tracking device years ago. It's paid for itself over and over!

neil 126 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 30, 2006, 02:05:00 PM »

hi cars, i hear those alignment tools are good but i am a tight wad, i go by my eye and use bits of string. this seems to work for the front wheels but having just repaced the rear swing arms i may need to get the garage o look at this.
plus my garage and drive are very rough and small, dont think i have enough room to use the drive over tool

bis13 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 31, 2006, 02:55:31 PM »

the good thing about using string is you can also use the same system for building walls , levelling gardens and tying your missus up good work fella ! dont forget glue thats also an essential item in my book ! ps welcome to the club

toz · « **Reply #5 on:** May 31, 2006, 09:18:02 PM »

:lol:you make me laugh mick.alot of companys like bushes charge 25 for a 4 wheel alignment,i find this cheaper and you also get a copy of the print.

bis13 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 31, 2006, 09:49:30 PM »

toz you crack me up get chris to send you a stats graph and you can put it up next to your alignment sheet... i will also send you some glue...ha ha