Cheapest Place to get Tracking Checked?

[gtd2000]

I'm getting a track rod end changed today (MOT failure) and wondering where the most reasonable place is to get the tracking checked once it's done?

 

I'm in Newport in Wales which has most of the chains, ATS Kwik Fit etc.

 

Any suggestions?

[Andrew353w]

On the basis that Wales should cost less than north London wherever you go you ought to get change out of £25.00

 

More importantly, go to a garage where you can actually see the mechanic doing his work and, if possible, get under the car while it's up on the ramps. Health and safety gestapo notwithstanding, most garages don't mind too much if you appear to be genuinely interested in your car and how it works. Check he uses the correct spanners to adjust the track rods and doesn't burr the nuts, as well as watching the laser lines & watch them moving as he winds the track rod in or out. The front wheels should be placed on moving plates, to allow them to move freely while being adjusted.

 

Hope this helps!

[myglaren]

Despite all expectations I was quite impressed with ATS. Can't remember how much it was now but as the tracking was >3mm out they said to go back for a free recheck after about a month or if there was anything I was concerned about.

 

I had been run off the road - which was why the tracking was so far out.

 

I went to ATS originally as they are the only ones around here that can balance my silly Citroen wheels.

[gtd2000]

I checked with the ATS and the chap seemed pretty decent and quoted my 25 quid on the phone - so I'll get it in there next week

[mattblack]

I went into a 'chain' tyre 'n' zorst place years ago and and breezely asked "How much to do my tracking?"

 

The bloke behind the counter looked at me like I'd asked if I could do his granny up the wrong 'un and replied "We don't do tracking, we do laser four-wheel alignment, sir..."

 

Yeah, whatever...

[CIH]

"Sorry we don't do basic front wheel tracking. We only do 4 wheel geometry"

-me, on the phone yesterday.

[Pillock]

"My wheels all point in different directions. Fix it."

 

They can't possibly argue with that!

[kelvin2008]

Any one ever used one of those gunson drive over home tracking gauges? is it worth buying one? , dont take up much room.

[M'coli]

I have one, it seems to work quite well. In the past, I've used a "palm of hand" test to sort out really poor tracking - use the palm of your hand to check how warm different parts of a tyre are after a couple of miles of dry fast straight roads, and adjust accordingly.

[whitevanman]

I found the Gunsun one useless and it fell to bits while hanging in the tool room