BlueTR3A-5EKT Posted December 23, 2015 Report Share Posted December 23, 2015 OK sage ones..... We have for years used a simple extending bar / trammel device to set the toe in/out on the front of the TR - PITA as you need to crawl under the car to measure width between the inner rim faces forward and rearward of hub vert centre - then adjust tracking to suit. (POP with a pit or up on a ramp - I drive the car up ramps now) In the old days I had access to Dunlop alignment guages but those days are gone. So, at 600 quid a pop for our own new ones, we are sticking with the extending bar trammel and crawling under the car. However - has any one used this system for DIY not trade - it runs at under £100 a set - Issue is that it will not align front to rear wheels unlike the Dunlop units. Trackace item http://www.trackace.co.uk Dunlop items http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dunlop-Optical-Alignment-Gauge-To-Measure-Tracking-Toe-Angles-/301182868899?hash=item461fe5dda3:g:3tgAAOSwg3FUfFbt Your views on the Trackace item please or any other DIY priced items like the Trackrite pad http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Drive-Over-Car-Wheel-Alignment-Gauge-Adjustment-DIY-Guide-New-Free-Delivery-/172017881820?hash=item280d1092dc:g:WvIAAOSwf-VWYBh4 Cheers Peter W Quote Link to post Share on other sites
graeme Posted December 23, 2015 Report Share Posted December 23, 2015 Peter, I have used the Trackrite for some years with good results. You do need a very good flat surface to use it on. Cheers Graeme Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pfenlon Posted December 24, 2015 Report Share Posted December 24, 2015 You cannot beat a length of string................... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted December 24, 2015 Report Share Posted December 24, 2015 I have also used the Trackrite for years, works well though as Graeme says you do need a smooth floor for it. Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
billy l Posted December 27, 2015 Report Share Posted December 27, 2015 Trackrite does the job and is also quite cheap. cheers, Bill. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
littlejim Posted December 27, 2015 Report Share Posted December 27, 2015 You cannot beat a length of string................... Or a "straightedge". Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lockley210 Posted December 28, 2015 Report Share Posted December 28, 2015 Changed the track rod ends recently and had to check the tracking. Armed with a £4-99 lazer level ( Top quality item !!! ) and a small piece of MDF I was able to place the MDF against the tyre and project the lazer approx 1 meter in-front of the car and then behind ,marking the garage floor with a pen. Measurements revealed an 8mm difference - Which I quickly reduced to 3mm by a quarter turn of the track rod. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PeteT Posted December 28, 2015 Report Share Posted December 28, 2015 Orrrrrrr what about a laser tape measure. Cheap as chips. I came up with this idea in the bath but I think it holds water. Regards, Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
graeme Posted December 28, 2015 Report Share Posted December 28, 2015 Orrrrrrr what about a laser tape measure. Cheap as chips. I came up with this idea in the bath but I think it holds water. Regards, Pete Pete, I don't think, even the most expensive ones, will be accurate enough for this job. Usually +/- 1.5mm Cheers Graeme Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ian Vincent Posted December 28, 2015 Report Share Posted December 28, 2015 Changed the track rod ends recently and had to check the tracking. Armed with a £4-99 lazer level ( Top quality item !!! ) and a small piece of MDF I was able to place the MDF against the tyre and project the lazer approx 1 meter in-front of the car and then behind ,marking the garage floor with a pen. Measurements revealed an 8mm difference - Which I quickly reduced to 3mm by a quarter turn of the track rod. Can you provide a bit more detail on your approach please. Rgds Ian Quote Link to post Share on other sites
peejay4A Posted December 29, 2015 Report Share Posted December 29, 2015 (edited) If you're using the tyres as a datum point I don't think I'd trust the measurements. Edited December 29, 2015 by peejay4A Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lockley210 Posted December 29, 2015 Report Share Posted December 29, 2015 With a tow in of 1mm you can measure a difference of approx 3mm measured 1m in-front of the centerline Hope the attached drawing makes sense Mark Tracking.pdf Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted December 30, 2015 Report Share Posted December 30, 2015 I presume you check this with wheels spun through 180° to eliminate errors due to tyre shape, wheel distortion etc. Bob. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lockley210 Posted December 30, 2015 Report Share Posted December 30, 2015 Bob This DIY approach was just to get the car back on the road after changing the track rods. I have had it checked at the local Kwik Fit and it was ok. Mark Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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