Tracking issues - whats the problem

[MisterC1501]

I recently replaced both front strut top mounts, and both front wishbones, and had my tracking done (front only).

When I recently rotated my wheels from front to back, I noticed that the fronts were wearing on the inner sides of the tyre. Took the car back to the garage were my tracking was done before, and they said that this may have been caused by the strut mounts "settling" and they adjusted it again.

I swapped the wheels again and put the best ones on the front, but again my steering feels as though the tracking is not right.

Do I assume that the garage has not done my tracking correctly, or is there something more sinister going on.

If so, what specifically could be causing this problem

[nobananas]

Most likely the problem may be with your camber and not the tracking. It depends on how the front suspension was dismantled to replace the top mounts, if the two bolts securing the leg to the front hub were slackened or removed then the camber setting will have been lost. The bolt holes are larger than the bolts allowing the hub to be tipped in or out to set the camber. If your tires are wearing on the inside then there is likely to be too much negative camber. A decent body shop or garage specializing in 4 wheel alignment etc should be able to set it right for you although the tracking will have to be set again afterwards (if they don't do it for you at the same time !)

[Nico20V]

I seem to have a similar problem. Each of my T5s has been prone to wear on the inside and my v70r seems to be prone to it on the rear too. No matter how times I have my tracking done, it seems all my T5's end up pulling to the left!? Is that just something to do with my weight in the car??

Have peeps any particular recommends for camber adjust kits? I see pfvs do one for 24 quid. My R is factory lowered - and quite a bit too, so may be investing in one of these is worthwhile as I'm guna start running Bridgestones for a change I think.

[Jaseb77]

Wear on the inside , I think is too much negative camber

I had my S60 laser aligned and got Eibach camber Bolts fitted, with which you can dial out the neg camber further.

[nobananas]

I had a set of camber bolts from PFV but found them impossible to use. I ended up drilling the upper hole in my hub carriers slightly larger then drilling and tapping the small metal tongue that sticks upwards from the carrier with a 10 mm thread. Then using a bolt screwed in and leaving the hub to strut bolts slack you can dial the camber in with a socket through the wheel. Bit unconventional but it worked for me !

[MisterC1501]

got Eibach camber Bolts fitted, with which you can dial out the neg camber further.

Have you any piccies of where these are fitted, and how do these actually work

[LeeT5]

I recently replaced both front strut top mounts, and both front wishbones, and had my tracking done (front only).

When I recently rotated my wheels from front to back, I noticed that the fronts were wearing on the inner sides of the tyre. Took the car back to the garage were my tracking was done before, and they said that this may have been caused by the strut mounts "settling" and they adjusted it again.

I swapped the wheels again and put the best ones on the front, but again my steering feels as though the tracking is not right.

Do I assume that the garage has not done my tracking correctly, or is there something more sinister going on.

If so, what specifically could be causing this problem

Hey mister. Firstly 'strut mounts "settling"...' What a load of rubbish! They would have settled after only driving half a mile.

Secondly.....'Do I assume that the garage has not done my tracking correctly, or is there something more sinister going?' .....Most definitely YES!

These cars need to be 4 wheel aligned or you will never get the tracking right. if you don't they will crab. Also you must get your camber checked. It is slightly adjustable without fitting camber bolts. Your local garage will not have the equipment to do any of the above and neither will the likes of Kwikfit, ATS, National tyres..etc etc. You need a specialist tyre fit center ie ELITE, in Rainham....(linky) http://www.elitedirect.com/06a-alignment/index.html

I had mine done recently and cost £74. This included 4 wheel alignment and o/s/f camber adjustment. It drives like it is brand new now! Worth every penny and saves scrubbing your tyres. I gave up getting my tracking done at other places because they just don't know what they're doing. Also they do it by eye using the equipment on the floor and one person's vision will be different to another...hense never getting it right.

I know Elite is along way from you, but you could phone them and ask if they know of anyone that has similar expertise and the proper equipment to do your alignment correctly and professionally. BTW, checking your alignment is FOC and they give you a print out explaining what needs to be adjusted and by how much. It's all very trick stuff and done using lasers.

your wasting money doing it at a garage unless they have equipment which costs tens of thousands of pounds. Most local garages don't.

[LeeT5]

I recently replaced both front strut top mounts, and both front wishbones, and had my tracking done (front only).

When I recently rotated my wheels from front to back, I noticed that the fronts were wearing on the inner sides of the tyre. Took the car back to the garage were my tracking was done before, and they said that this may have been caused by the strut mounts "settling" and they adjusted it again.

I swapped the wheels again and put the best ones on the front, but again my steering feels as though the tracking is not right.

Do I assume that the garage has not done my tracking correctly, or is there something more sinister going on.

If so, what specifically could be causing this problem

Hey mister. Firstly 'strut mounts "settling"...' What a load of rubbish! They would have settled after only driving half a mile.

Secondly.....'Do I assume that the garage has not done my tracking correctly, or is there something more sinister going?' .....Most definitely YES!

These cars need to be 4 wheel aligned or you will never get the tracking right. if you don't they will crab. Also you must get your camber checked. It is slightly adjustable without fitting camber bolts. Your local garage will not have the equipment to do any of the above and neither will the likes of Kwikfit, ATS, National tyres..etc etc. You need a specialist tyre fit center ie ELITE, in Rainham....(linky) http://www.elitedirect.com/06a-alignment/index.html

I had mine done recently and cost £74. This included 4 wheel alignment and o/s/f camber adjustment. It drives like it is brand new now! Worth every penny and saves scrubbing your tyres. I gave up getting my tracking done at other places because they just don't know what they're doing. Also they do it by eye using the equipment on the floor and one person's vision will be different to another...hense never getting it right.

I know Elite is along from you, but you could phone them and ask if they know of anyone that has similar expertise and the proper equipment to do your alignment correctly and professionally. BTW, checking your alignment is FOC and they give you a print out explaining what needs to be adjusted and by how much. It's all very trick stuff and done using lasers.

your wasting money doing it at a garage unless they have equipment which costs tens of thousands of pounds. Most local garages don't.

[MARKY70RRR]

i had my wishbones done and my car ate my tyres,so i went to a local ish garage in bolton for 4 wheel laser thingy,done buy computer and you would not believe the differance,all i will say is worth every penny at 62 quid,tottally differant car,get it done.

[JUDGENINJA]

Here is when my ignorance kicks in... I thought that only early model 850's had the camber adjustable hubs...??? I was of the under standing that the late models have to be adjusted by the old method of putting spacers (washers) between the hub??

[MisterC1501]

i went to a local ish garage in bolton for 4 wheel laser thingy,done buy computer and you would not believe the differance,

Yo Marky, what's this place called and where abouts in Bolton? I'm only a couple of miles away.

[MARKY70RRR]

its called langs garage or something like that,definatley langs,not far from the bus station,number is 01204 439 995 HTH

[LeeT5]

Here is when my ignorance kicks in... I thought that only early model 850's had the camber adjustable hubs...??? I was of the under standing that the late models have to be adjusted by the old method of putting spacers (washers) between the hub??

I thought so too. You are infact correct, however you can still adjust them very slightly by playing around with the strut bolts.

Before mine were adjusted the nearside camber was -0*23' (that's 0 degrees and 23 minutes). The off side was -0*01'. (way out of spec). Basically the offside wheel was sitting vertical and should of been leaning in.
Also f/n/s toe = -0*06'
f/o/s toe = 0*19'
r/n/s toe = -0*08'
and r/o/s toe = 0*10'. The above specs gave a thrust angle of -0*09' which basically meant my car was crabbing left, camber angle vertical on f/o/s and steering wheel not straight, also a total toe of 0*13' to the left (remember a + & - = -. Therefore: -0*06' + 0*19' = -0*13' ie toe in of 13 minutes!) . Rear camber is non adjustable.

..:confused:....stay with me..

After adjustment:
camber on both sides = -0*22'.
f/n/s toe = 0*12'
f/o/s toe = 0*11'
r/n/s toe = 0*07'
r/o/s toe = 0*07'. (Perfect!) Total toe = 0*23' (well within spec)
The above specs give a thrust angle of 0*00' (ie Dead straight!!)

The above is the entire reason i don't get my wheel alignment adjusted at Kwikfit and the like because they just don't have the expertise nor the equipment to carry out wheel alignment correctly.

[MisterC1501]

its called langs garage or something like that,definatley langs,not far from the bus station,number is 01204 439 995 HTH

I'll be giving these guys a ring once I have replaced my wheels and tyres, within the next week or so.

[Babybadger]

3 things to check first,

1) is there wear in the rear axle bushes? No. 3 in the diagram

http://www.swedishautoparts.com/shop/catimages/top/Volvo-850-Rear-Control-Arm.jpg

The tracking is measured from the rear wheels as a reference.

2) Is the lower control arm bent?

3) are there lowering springs like eibachs on the car? Did they use the specific camber kit?

[MisterC1501]

its called langs garage or something like that,definatley langs,not far from the bus station,number is 01204 439 995 HTH

I went and had my 4 wheels laser aligned today at Nigel Langs garage in Bolton, and can honestly say that Peter has done a fantastic job :B_thumb:

I can highly recommend anyone who can get to Bolton, to let these guys do this. Phone number 01204 392995. Heres a linky;

http://www.nigellangsgarage.co.uk/index.htm