Tracking with a stage 3

[prankstar2003]

Right, just been to have my tracking done, but the guys were unable to get it spot on. I have too much toe in and a misalignment of about 5 deg front to back. They went as far as they sould with the adjustment they had but to no avail. Would having a stage 3 subframe cause these issues? Do i need to alter the front arms to bring the front of the wheels in? I don't want to play about too much as the castor looks pretty even. Does anyone know anywhere local to Banbury that could help with castor/camber/alignment. None of the usual tyre places were even able to suggest anywhere to go.

It's an early MK2 saloon btw, and I've heard rumours that the threaded tube that is the tracking adjustment is a different length to those of later cars. Can anyone confirm this? I find most of the replacement parts provided are only ever designed for later cars, and I have renewed all of the steering ball joints etc.

Thanks

[hayesey]

yeah most tyre fitters places that do tracking wont know what to do with a stage 3 subframe.  You need to take it somewhere a bit more specialist as the castor needs setting too at the same time.  Although I don't think I've ever had an issue being able to set the tracking even with loads of castor angle - did they realise that the steering arm is adjustable at both ends of it and not just by the wheel?  I've seen some places who have been a bit confused with mk2/3 polo tracking even on a standard one with it only having one adjustable arm.

Can't recommend anywhere in your area unfortunately but anywhere that does motorsport/rally prep would be good.

[Andy]

They sound retarded. Sadly most tracking places are.

Set the castor yourself by measuring the wheelbase either side and setting it to 2335mm. Then take it back and make sure they realise that there's only steering rod adjustment on one side, so they need to get the driver's side wheel aligned to spec by turning the steering wheel - and then adjust the passenger side steering rod to get the passenger wheel in spec too.

Failing that, these guys in Warwick are recommended by some of my work colleagues - but I've not tried them myself:
http://www.silverlinewheels-tyres.com/

These guys are supposed to be the dog's dick, Robin used them for his S2000 and I'm planning on taking my car there unless I can sneak it on the Hunter rig at work.

[Yoof]

Nah, that's these boys Andy: http://www.centergravity.co.uk/

prankster, sounds like you've got a later steering arm fitted to an earlier strut...

[Andy]

I forgot to stick the centre of gravity link up after the last line, lol!

[prankstar2003]

Yoof - that's what I think. Kerrly posted up some pictures on CP and there's a difference between some of the components. I have some later coupe parts I'll compare too.

Andy - Where do you get your tracking etc normally? Anwhere local (other than that guy?), I'm only in banbury? And I'm right in thinking the wheel base is center to center?

One last thing, does anyone use the bonrath camber adjustable poly mounts? I'm not fussed about camber adjustment, but rather a longer lasting top mount.

[Jezza-7]

i have heard they can last a while or not very long at all. Just stick with standard ones and they will be fine.

[cheys03]

I want to stick in a vote for a Gunson Trakrite. Apologies - this is going to sound like an advert.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gunson-G4008-Trakrite-Wheel-Alignment/dp/B0012M9KEC/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

Have been doing the tracking since having a similar experience at Kwik Fix (they had an offer on) where they failed to do the tracking and even scratched up the bonnet by resting their cheap-ass tools on it. Ok, so the Trakrite is a simple system - but the results are damn good. We have two Mk3 Polos so it's paid for itself already, especially with all the suspension tweaking and swapping I did when setting up the car. Very satisfying to do the job yourself and it takes approx 45mins. Having the tool in your garage means you can do the tracking right away when you've finished a job (Sunday afternoon?) and lend it to friends for beers. Last set of tyres lasted 40,000 doing easy motorway miles, but still a testiment to the tracking being ok.

Sounds like you may have an incompatible strut/steering arm combo too, but if you plan to get a Trakrite, buy it first and see for yourself before buying and swapping the arms.

[Andy]

I've had the Polo tracked up at Southam tyres in the past, a couple of the staff were dubbers but I still had to point out how to track the Polo.

Last 2 times I've done it myself. First time with string, second time with Yoof's alignment gauges which he's now sold unfortunately!

That place I mentioned in Warwick has been used by a few guys at work and they were happy - so I imagine if they can keep automotive engineers happy then they're half decent, and it's not too far from Banbury.

As for top mounts, I've found that standard genuine ones last okay with a stage 3 frame.

[Robin]

Just beware that center gravity are expensive - minimum price is £229 but they are seriously shit hot.

[Jezza-7]

They best be good for that price.

Im waiting for the PPP track adjustable control arms then maybe take it to them once its all done.

[prankstar2003]

@Robin - thats far too steep to justify. It's not meant to be a race car so I doubt I'll take it there 

I think the problem has been traced to an incompatible (early) steering rack and later solid steering arm. I'll need to dig all the relevant parts out tomorrow and compare them