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BigJimnyMeet (North) 2024 (12 Jan 2024)


BigJimnyMeet 2024

14th July 2024
Parkwood Nr. Leeds

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Tyre tracking

  • Cremator1
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28 Nov 2018 16:44 #198281 by Cremator1
Tyre tracking was created by Cremator1
Hi all hope u all ok well noticed today that front tyre is little more worn on outer edge than the OS and seems to wander to the left rang garage and they said they will check tracking and do a 4 wheel check now can all four corners be checked and adjusted on a jimny don’t want to be ripped off only reading on here it can’t but don’t really understand what can be checked and adjusted on it many dawn

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28 Nov 2018 17:56 #198286 by Max Headroom
Replied by Max Headroom on topic Tyre tracking
I thought four wheel tracking was for these modern saloon things like BMWs Mercs and similar. How can you adjust trrack on a rear fixed axle?


IF IT AINT BROKE, KEEP FIXING IT UNTIL IT IS

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  • paradox1001
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28 Nov 2018 17:58 #198287 by paradox1001
Replied by paradox1001 on topic Re:Tyre tracking
No adjustments to be made on the rear

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28 Nov 2018 18:23 #198290 by Cremator1
Replied by Cremator1 on topic Re:Tyre tracking
Hi thank you so they can only adjust the front so no point paying for a 4 wheel tracking

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28 Nov 2018 18:29 #198293 by jackonlyjack
Replied by jackonlyjack on topic Re:Tyre tracking
My local ATS where the cheapest I could find at 25 quid
He hooked it all up and told me it was within tolerance
Mine pulls to the left slightly

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  • Cremator1
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28 Nov 2018 18:32 #198294 by Cremator1
Replied by Cremator1 on topic Re:Tyre tracking
Oh ok could be a common thing but nsf tyre slightly more worn than the osf on the outer edge

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28 Nov 2018 22:03 #198313 by Scimike
Replied by Scimike on topic Re:Tyre tracking
Not sure its a common issues, I can't say I have noticed my Jimny pulling to the left, steering is neutral.
It has standard suspension and summer road biased tyres, standard size. It does have a steering damper fitted, but thats for the 45mph bump induced wobble. I have not noticed that the edges of the tyres are worn in any way.
No means to adjust tracking on the rear wheels, only front adjustment is available, but they still call it a 4 wheel track.

Yokohama Geolanders, Sony head unit, NAUTILUS Air Horn, DRL conversion, Rear cargo space, Elvis Bobblehead, transfer Guard, Indian hanging Elephant, Koni Heavy track dampers, Custom SS exhaust, Voodoo Doll, Adventure Rack with LED ight bar, vintage ERIBA caravan usually attached (yes it's slow)

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  • Jimx5
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28 Nov 2018 22:23 #198316 by Jimx5
Replied by Jimx5 on topic Re:Tyre tracking
The nearside front tyre on my Jim is scrubbed on the outer edge, i checked and found wear in that king pin which i replaced two weeks ago...the bottom bearing was a rusty mess and i'm putting the scrubbing down to that having too much free movement.

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29 Nov 2018 00:00 #198320 by Delux
Replied by Delux on topic Re:Tyre tracking
I think the mix up exists on the expression '4 wheel alignment'.

4 wheel alignment check refers to the euipment used rather than the work that is done. It is done using gauges that measure the angle of all 4 wheels and allow the mechanic to determine what to set the front wheel tracking to.

As Max pointed out, on modern stuff like Mercs and BMWs the camber, castor and tracking is adjustable, front and rear. On a Jimny the only thing that is really adjustable on a standard car is the tracking. If the camber or castor is out it is usually caused by something being worn or bent. Adjustment is done by repairing that component!

In the olden days, the mechanic would stick the tracking gauges on the front wheels and wind the track rod ends in or out to set the tracking to the angle it should be. Nowadays, most garages have 4 wheel alignment gauges. This allows the mechanic to measure the alignment of the rear wheels and more accurately adjust the front. Its called the combined cross toe effect. (well, thats what I was taught anyway!)

Another common mix up is assuming your tracking is out because the steering wheel is off centre or pulling to the side. Your steering wheel can be off centre and your alignment correct or your steering wheel could be centred and your tracking could be out. This mix up happens because if the mechanic sets the tracking properly they should align the steering wheel as they adjust the tracking.

If your tyre is wearning on the outer edge it would indicate one of two things...
1. The front wheels are toeing in too much
or
2. You stay somewhere where there are many roundabouts and drive 'enthusiastically'!

Where I work we are in the countryside between a new town with loads of roundabouts (Glenrothes) and an old city (Dundee) with less roundabouts and streets roughly laid out in a grid. If you look at the front tyres of a car you can generally figure out where it spends most of its time by the wear on the tyre. Front wheel drive cars are more obvious though.

I am not suggesting you avoid roundabouts rather than having your tracking checked.

After your tracking has been adjusted, do not expect the worn tread on the outside of the tyre to grow back, if it has worn on the outer edge it will remain worn ther until you change the tyre. Some customers seem to forget this.

Finally, your worry about being ripped off. Most garages or fast fit centres I can think of charge a fixed price to check tracking. They may charge extra to adjust it but usually this is only to cover the extra time if they have to free off something to allow them to adjust it to the correct setting. I cannot see why any workshop would not be able to give you a firm price before starting the work. If they can't, walk away. Depending on where you go, some garages may 'notice' work requiring attention but if you have only asked them to adjust the tracking you are under no obligation to have them do the work. Larger companies with sales targets to meet are more likely to 'notice' stuff!

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The following user(s) said Thank You: Max Headroom

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29 Nov 2018 00:37 #198321 by Max Headroom
Replied by Max Headroom on topic Re:Tyre tracking
Blimey!

Excellent explanation! [smiley thumbs-up needed here]


IF IT AINT BROKE, KEEP FIXING IT UNTIL IT IS

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  • Cremator1
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29 Nov 2018 06:24 #198327 by Cremator1
Replied by Cremator1 on topic Re:Tyre tracking
Wow deluxe thank you I now full understand about tracking answer all I needed to no thank you so much

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29 Nov 2018 17:38 - 29 Nov 2018 17:49 #198379 by Delux
Replied by Delux on topic Re:Tyre tracking
(Blushing!)

I was more worried someone would spot my typo and slag me off!

Forgot to explain what toe in and toe out is. If you imagine your feet are the wheels you want them to point perferctly straight when the car is driving. You want them to be perfectly parallel. However, as cars generally have their suspension parts mounted on rubber bushes the wheels move away from parallel when you drive away. Rear wheel drive and 4 wheel drive cars generally push the front of the wheels outwards (toeing out) as they drive along because the torque from the rear wheels is shoving them from behind. Front wheel drive cars do the opposite. This means in order for your front wheels to sit parallel when you drive you need to set them to toe in slightly on a jimny. If they dont the tyres will wear on the edge. Wear on the outer edge indicates too much toe in, wear on the inner edge means too much toe out. If the tracking is out, the 'feel' of the steering will be different too. Generally, on a standard car, the tracking figure the manufacturer issues is the best balance between the steering being too twitchy and too heavy!

I think it is worth mentioning too, if you modify your Jimny significantly, for example, massive tyres, suspension lifts etc. you will alter the cars camber and castor angles, thats why specialists sell offset suspension bushes.
There is no easy way of adjusting the camber or castor angles on the jimny so offset bushes allow you to set it.

Also worth mentioning is, while many garages boast 4 wheel lazer alignment etc. wheel alignment can be set up just as accurately at home. The advantage modern garage equipment has is it is easy to set up and use which in turn speeds up the job.
If you are handy with a ball of string and a measuring tape you can set everything up from your driveway (providing it is level!) There are bound to be plenty of pages just a google search away for anyone who fancies a go.

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My pics (inc. pics of my latest Jimny project)...
www.flickr.com/photos/159422664@N08/albums
My ebay stuff for sale...
www.ebay.co.uk/usr/deeelux
Last edit: 29 Nov 2018 17:49 by Delux.

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