Left wheel out of geometry

[sansvalo]

Hello, I got a problem with my left wheel after it's been fiddled with by a garage. http://puu.sh/6DAXX.png the wheel is pointing slightly outwards like in picture (toe out). Is it possible to reset it's position somehow? I'm pretty new to this, do you have any diagrams / photos / videos?[frame][/frame]

[LouiseM]

The first thing you should do if you are unhappy with the work carried out is to raise this with the company and ask them to put it right rather than try to remedy the problem yourself.

[sansvalo]

It's this xxxxxxx. I had quite bad experience with them, as I put car for simple geometry fix and tire change, and they kept saying that things got worse and worse with car. After I took it from them, I realised my steering wheel got swapped for more worn and there were problems with steering. So I came back and this time watched mechanic to fit my old wheel back, as well as fix steering rack back, as it felt like it have been swapped too. So I don't know if they can fix it back, and I don't want to deal with them again anymore.

[ian.mcdougall]

Put up where you are located and someone may be near to you and can help you out by suggesting another place to take it to, sorry not myself as I live in Ireland , there have been claims in the past on the workmanship of this garage. Keep us informed on the progress and don't say too many negative things or the post may be blocked, just tell the truth and the facts.Cannot for the life of me think why the steering wheel had to be changed what was their explanation ???
So sorry your experience as a newbie has been bad, remember not all places dealing in Minors are bad
Regards Ian

[bmcecosse]

Hahahaha - I guess Louise hasn't seen this yet -!! If that one wheel is obviously off line (and well done for that drawing!) then the tracking will need resetting. You can do this yourself - but you need to make a simple gauge to do so. It is also very important to make sure both track rod ends are equally set on the track rods. Measure the exposed thread on the track rods, both sides. If you can't do this yourself - take it to a small/friendly/old skool garage urgently. And obviously never return to the garage that caused the upset in the first place - unless you feel you can get them to fix it for no further cost. If a second garage confirms the tracking is way out - you could of course consider a Small Claims Court action against the first garage - but do take pictures 'before and after' - and give them the chance to put it right first. I would be interested to know the name of the garage - by Private Message please, to avoid further conflict with the MODS!

[LouiseM]

Sansvalo - Please don't post any information on the open forum which could identify the garage / trader as this could result in legal implications for both you and the Club. Thank you.

[bmcecosse]

Can't understand why = provided the true facts are listed

[LouiseM]

But how does anyone know whether the facts posted here are true or not? Plus without hearing from all parties how can anyone form a reasoned, balanced view of the matter?

See Ray's post in this thread if you are still unsure of the reasons Roy: http://www.mmoc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f= ... 6&start=60

[kennatt]

If you are unsure about doing it yourself,bearing in mind the safety aspect,all tyre fitting depots have alignment equipment,ask them to set it with all wheels parallel,they should also set the steering wheel to the straight ahead position.They do it all the time and are regarded as the experts,not all garages have the equipment.

As far as the poor workmanship from wherever you had it done,tell them what you are doing,and then send them the bill they may pay up,worth a try.

[sansvalo]

Hello, I have just been in other workshop, and we set the geometry - the gauge showed good fit, yet wheel was still out of alignment. We pulled it inside, so now it appears negative on scale, but it improved on road a little.

[Trickydicky]

Hi,

You dont mention in your post what you are setting it to? The toe-in should be 3/32" (2.5mm), or 0.8 in degrees.

[bmcecosse]

Hmmm...the gauge showed good fit - but the wheel is out of alignment?? That can't be...... Is the problem perhaps that the REAR axle is out of alignment - giving the impression of the front wheel being 'out' as the car crabs it's way along the road? Or - is that front wheel set with incorrect camber angle - ie the top of the wheel perhaps sitting further out (or in) relative to the bottom of the wheel - in the vertical plane? To quickly check the rear axle - use a length of nice straight timber - and hold it against each wheel in turn - with the length pointing forwards - is it equal each side? You will probably need to nail an extra short piece of timber to the long piece - the short piece then sitting against the side of the wheel - horizontally at hub level..... Can we see some pictures of the problem?