Track rods & tracking

[MartinN]

Good Morning Zedders, I hoe you are all coping with whats going on, both physically & mentally. Like most I have been tinkering with the Zed recently.
but I have a bit of an techy ask please.
I had the tracking done a couple of months back, this left to car driving fine but the steering wheel off centre. Took it back as I suspected they only adjusted one track rod end. I suspected this as only one track rod showed signs of heat and being worked. Rechecked but wheel in same position, in desperation I moved the wheel on the column to get it central.

Now I have the offside wheel rubbing on the wheel arch on full right lock. Now this did happen a little while ago so I poly bushed the car throughout, so it's not the banjo.
On axle stands I can get my finger between the wheel & bodywork on full lock on the nearside, on the offside the wheel is just rubbing, so about 8 to 10 mm difference. the rubbing is on the bulkhead
I replaced the wishbone yesterday as there was play in one of the ball joints, no difference.The track rod ends look fine,no play

Question is to you techies, if the track rod end was adjusted on the offside only could this be a cause?

Should I get a couple of new track rod ends on then get the tracking done again?

Car has been lowered but not been an issue since I changed the banjo's to poly.
Getting frustrated, any advice gratefully received.

TIA

Stay safe.

 

[mrscalex]

My personal experience is that lowering can cause tyres to rub. But others say this isn't always the case.

Was the rubbing definitely not present before the tracking was done? Have you fitted larger wheels/tyres at any point? Did you do the wishbones both sides? Are the wheel bearings okay?

I think I would get it tracked again somewhere else. And maybe for good measure given the relatively small cost involved change both the inner and outer tie (track) rods.

 

[MartinN]

My personal experience is that lowering can cause tyres to rub. But others say this isn't always the case.

Was the rubbing definitely not present before the tracking was done? Have you fitted larger wheels/tyres at any point? Did you do the wishbones both sides? Are the wheel bearings okay?

I think I would get it tracked again somewhere else. And maybe for good measure given the relatively small cost involved change both the inner and outer tie (track) rods.

Hi,yeah no rubbing before, well since I rebushed any how, standard wheels/tyres, just the wishbone on the offside, i replaced the nearside about 2000 miles ago and checked this while looking at the problem. wheel bearings fine.

 

[the Nefyn cat]

Take it to somewhere competent. The steering wheel should be locked into place by a spring-loaded thing that sits on the seat, then the tracking is adjusted. There should also be graduated boards put on the back wheels, that way all four wheels get used in the alignment. The set-back comes into it as well, but it's the kind of thing that's easier to do than explain. If you can get the steering wheel back to where it started (up on stands, wheel turned lock to lock, and once you've found the central position put the wheel on straight) take it to someone who'll do it right.

 

[MartinN]

Take it to somewhere competent. The steering wheel should be locked into place by a spring-loaded thing that sits on the seat, then the tracking is adjusted. There should also be graduated boards put on the back wheels, that way all four wheels get used in the alignment. The set-back comes into it as well, but it's the kind of thing that's easier to do than explain. If you can get the steering wheel back to where it started (up on stands, wheel turned lock to lock, and once you've found the central position put the wheel on straight) take it to someone who'll do it right.

Thanks, looks like some investigation & checking, at least I have some time to look these days.

 

[the Nefyn cat]

A lot of it can be done in a shed/on the drive, assuming you've got at least one of them. If you can get the steering wheel central when the wheels are also central then you're on the way, normally you'll only get one wheel rubbing in a wheel arch because someone's adjusted that side too far out, and not moved both wheels to align with the back end. Trust me, it is easier to do than explain, used to do this for a living, and have had to sort out many other people's f**k-ups.

 

[DrWong]

Used to hate taking my car for tracking as garages never did it properly and it often came back worse

Since getting the Z I’ve done it myself using axle stands and string and it’s been perfect every time. Mainly cos I take my time and do it properly.

If it was me, I’d centre and lock the steering wheel (I use the boot jack), loosen both track rods off, and re-adjust both wheels with the string method. You said you had a lot of time on your hands...

 

[Bazza]

Yes same method used, after I had done a front end refurb have a look on you tube,

 

[MartinN]

Appreciate your replies folks, hope the weather stays fine for a few more days. Wish I had some space like DrWong to work in.

 

[DrWong]

Appreciate your replies folks, hope the weather stays fine for a few more days. Wish I had some space like DrWong to work in.

That's the car park at St James' Park on an evening. It was the flattest and most level ground I could find locally. Done it on the back yard drive before, but much more room in an empty car park! I'm sure you'd be able to find similar close to you