12 replies to this topic

[Boycie]

As above, I'm considering buying the Minispares (Mintec?) Tracking tool, figured at £47, it's the same as two trips to a tyre bay to have my front wheel alignment set.

http://www.minispare...;title=TRACKING GAUGE(MINTEC)

Worth it?

[TimmyG]

I've got one of these and it's great, cant go wrong really, especially when in my experience tyre garages set all cars the same (zero/parallel) which is way off for a mini's standard setting which is 1.6 mm toe out if i remember correctly. Literally takes about 10mins if you've got a helper to hold the other side still, and you've got your tools to hand.
I suddenly remembered I hadn't checked the tracking before going to the rollers and I did it in 5 mins before I left! Takes a bit longer working solo but can still be done with wooden blocks etc. Hope this helps!

[GreaseMonkey]

How does it work then? Do you hold it up so its on both wheels and adjust so the wheels touch both at a certain point?

[adam_93rio]

i never realised you could get one of these, does anyone know how easy it is to use and how to use it

i was thinking today that i must get to a place to do the tracking, last time i went to kwikfit they said they didnt have the settings anymore because they got a new sheet in they didnt have the settings for minis

[dave21478]

i never realised you could get one of these, does anyone know how easy it is to use and how to use it

i was thinking today that i must get to a place to do the tracking, last time i went to kwikfit they said they didnt have the settings anymore because they got a new sheet in they didnt have the settings for minis

Typical kwikft "its not in the book so I cant do it" attitude. Anywhee that uses intelligent mechanics will knowthat as a very general rule, you cant go too far wrong with 1.5 - 2mm toe out on FWD cars.



Anyway, as for that tracking gauge - it works well but is nothing special and certainly not £50 worth.
A tenners worth of box section steel, some random stuff from the bottom of your toolbox, ten minutes work and a quick tickle with a welder will get you one that works just as well.
In a pinch you can make one with some straight edges and g-clamps as I did when I set the van up initially...

Edited by dave21478, 26 December 2009 - 07:48 PM.

[TimmyG]

All the tool is, is a big external calipers. It works by comparing the measurement between the front of the wheels and the back. So basically you set your wheels straight ahead, use the coarse and fine adjustments of the tool so that it just touches/rubs (like a feeler gauge) the back or front rim of the wheels on both sides in line with the centre of the wheels. (doesn't matter whether you start with the front or the back of the wheel as it's the difference you're looking for). Then you lock the tool, measure the distance with a tape measure, then do the same at the opposite side of the wheel. The measurement at the front of the wheels should be 1. 5mm (0.5mm accuracy with a tape measure!) greater than at the back. If it isn't then you adjust the trackrods in or out of the trackrod ends equally on both sides until it is. Takes a couple of goes till you get it bang on but very simple.

[TimmyG]

Also as someone has rightly pointed out, the tool isn't anything special at all! You could indeed knock one up out of simple materials, a few tools and a welder. I was just lazy!

[Boycie]

Cheers all, very interesting. It occurred to me yesterday that 'tracking' can be set very differently from one place to the next.

The local kwik-fit stylee place near me just sets each front wheel in line with the rear wheel on that side.. when I last did it at work with our simple optical bars, I just aligned the front wheels to toe out by 1deg or something (can't remember now).

I need to set mine up roughly after fitting a new steering rack, think I may just measure it for now.

[minimender]

Trouble is that some garages don't realise that the rear wheels on a Mini are toed in so they have to allow for that on the lazers.
I've got a 'Trackrite' gauge from www.Frost.co.uk. it was a bit expensive at 70 quid but has paid for itself over and over.
You dont need any settings with it, just drive over and if it points to zero then your tracking is correct whether it's toed in or out. It works by the scuffing/drag of the tyre as you drive over, if no resistance then tracking correct.

[adam_93rio]

i had been to kwikfit before and they set my tracking up lovely but the second time i went they said if i bring them the settings they will do it

so the front wheels want to be 1.5 degree toe out? is that all i need to know?

[GreaseMonkey]

Found a thread on the Trackrite, seems much easier to use

http://www.theminifo...howtopic=143072

[TimmyG]

i had been to kwikfit before and they set my tracking up lovely but the second time i went they said if i bring them the settings they will do it

so the front wheels want to be 1.5 degree toe out? is that all i need to know?

No not 1.5 degrees, 1.5 mm! Not sure what that works out in degrees sorry! If you know your trigonometry though, you could work it out

Edited by TimmyG, 27 December 2009 - 09:57 PM.

[Sherlock]

I have a similar type of tracking tool, to get total accuracy, particularly on steel wheels, the measurement should be checked at the same points on the wheel rims by rolling the car forward or backwards to rotate the wheels half a turn between taking the measurements. Otherwise 1/16" inaccuracy at the rim (not unusual) can destroy all your careful adjustment.