Tracking

[123hotchef]

has any one used the dunlop tracking gauges?

http://mk1-performance-conversions.co.uk/dunlop tracking gauges.pdf

I have always used string on my 4x4s but not sure how accurate this is.

I was thinking about investing in a set of proper gauges because the garage gets expensive every few months

 

[johnik]

I used them when i had my garage, everyone seemed to use them and some still do so they cant be that bad ?.
IMHO, all this fancy new electrical stuff if just bling gadgets that are no better

 

[123hotchef]

r they easy to use seem easy enough but how does one differentiate between what wheel to adjust

 

[steveo3002]

http://www.trackace.co.uk/

another one to consider - ive got one seems to work well

 

[123hotchef]

http://www.trackace.co.uk/

another one to consider - ive got one seems to work well

I saw this a few years back it seamed a faff to set it up with more room for error. But correct me if I am wrong, I have only ever used string!

 

[steveo3002]

is a bit of faff to get the hang of...once youve understood its like 2 mins to set it up as per his video , gives the same reading over and over so i reckon its good enough for a home user , dunlop ones are so expensive

 

[123hotchef]

I can get a second hand Dunlop near me second hand £150 but they are so bloody big and I have to store them somewhere, the trackace is small and easy to hide away

 

[8ob]

Another vote for the Dunlop gauges , I bought a fancy set of guages that do all four wheels but it's always the Dunlop ones I grab for tracking. Just so quick and easy.

Bob

 

[steveo3002]

yeah one thing to mention ...im guessing same with dunlops is that you take a reading then adjust , and need to set it up again to check your work

doesnt really bother me as i only do my own cars once in a while

 

[123hotchef]

Another vote for the Dunlop gauges , I bought a fancy set of guages that do all four wheels but it's always the Dunlop ones I grab for tracking. Just so quick and easy.

Bob

how do the Dunlop ones work I mean how do you know what wheel to adjust to get the correct toe

 

[steveo3002]

thought they just give the total , so even it out so the steering wheel is straight? prob so youtube videos

 

[123hotchef]

I think they both only give the total they do not tell you which side is at fault

 

[8ob]

how do the Dunlop ones work I mean how do you know what wheel to adjust to get the correct toe[/QUOTE


As with any steering the rack or steering box/idlers will need centering first or you will end up with bump steer. It's more than just having the wheels parralel or toein/out.

Bob

 

[steveo3002]

is it for home use or a garage?

say for me ...most times you would be replacing /repair one side of the car so the other side would be trusted as correct and adjust the new side you worked on

if doing day to day checks then it would soon become a chore

 

[123hotchef]

it is for home use, that makes sense but if I replace ball joints or track rods on one side I always do the other side too. I guess one could always do the tracking between each side and again at the end

 

[123hotchef]

Of course that is the beauty of the string lock steering wheel and adjust away

 

[steveo3002]

if you like using the string carry on , i think its pretty accurate once youve got the hang of it , tried it myself but working outside on a windy day and you cant use the string so easily

 

[123hotchef]

the string is accurate if the back wheels are straight! not always the case on a old 4x4 with leaf springs and spider jointed shackles

 

[reb78]

I've got the trackace thingy and its too small to work well with the wheels on my 110. Personally I dont really like it at all, but I havent tried it on a normal sized wheel. I keep considering selling it TBH.

On the land rover, a laser measure between the wheels on the front and back of the rim underneath works perfectly - I don't think you can get more accurate than that??

 

[123hotchef]

I've got the trackace thingy and its too small to work well with the wheels on my 110. Personally I dont really like it at all, but I havent tried it on a normal sized wheel. I keep considering selling it TBH.

On the land rover, a laser measure between the wheels on the front and back of the rim underneath works perfectly - I don't think you can get more accurate than that??

I run 16" wheels on my 4x4 with 33s or 35s good idea about the laser measure what one do you have I have always though about getting one for the tool bag saves reaching for the tape all the time.