Tracking (possibly UK only)
Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2004 10:20 am
I need to get the tracking done on my car as new wheel bearings and a change in wheels have left the car pulling a bit and with a noncentral wheel.
However, most places I have seen so far do the tracking by hanging a device that looks a bit like a wheel clamp on each wheel that shines torches onto boards with measurement markings on (or in fancy ones, lasers)
Now my problem is that with the 17" wheels on, garages cannot hang these devices on the wheels due to insufficient clearance between the wheel and the arch. With the 15" wheels back on, they can hang the devices, but still can't do my tracking because they say they can't get the beam of light across the front of the car due to it being lowered. The gentleman as kwik-fit (don't ask) was helpful in that he showed me the problem and explained himself very well - he then told me there were at least 2 other "systems" of accurately measuring and adjusting tracking in use by garages, one of which simply invovles driving onto a special device and nothing more (?).
So my question-de-jour is: Does anyone know what these systems might be called, so I can phone up local tyre centres and garages to find someone who can cope with my car - I feel a bit silly phoning up and saying "can you do tracking checks on a lowered car"
Does anyone know of such places (of course preferably in the Sheffield/Barnsley/Wakefield area, but confirmation of the existence of these places anywere would be good)
Thank ye
However, most places I have seen so far do the tracking by hanging a device that looks a bit like a wheel clamp on each wheel that shines torches onto boards with measurement markings on (or in fancy ones, lasers)
Now my problem is that with the 17" wheels on, garages cannot hang these devices on the wheels due to insufficient clearance between the wheel and the arch. With the 15" wheels back on, they can hang the devices, but still can't do my tracking because they say they can't get the beam of light across the front of the car due to it being lowered. The gentleman as kwik-fit (don't ask) was helpful in that he showed me the problem and explained himself very well - he then told me there were at least 2 other "systems" of accurately measuring and adjusting tracking in use by garages, one of which simply invovles driving onto a special device and nothing more (?).
So my question-de-jour is: Does anyone know what these systems might be called, so I can phone up local tyre centres and garages to find someone who can cope with my car - I feel a bit silly phoning up and saying "can you do tracking checks on a lowered car"
Does anyone know of such places (of course preferably in the Sheffield/Barnsley/Wakefield area, but confirmation of the existence of these places anywere would be good)
Thank ye