Has anybody got any experience of these (or something similar)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Trackace-Lase ... 0814333955
I have had to do the tracking on 3 cars over the last month which has cost as much as one of these to do the job myself.
DIY Tracking tool
DIY Tracking tool
Understeer: when you hit the wall with the front of the car.
Oversteer: when you hit the wall with the back of the car.
Horsepower: how fast you hit the wall.
Torque: how far you take the wall with you.
Oversteer: when you hit the wall with the back of the car.
Horsepower: how fast you hit the wall.
Torque: how far you take the wall with you.
Re: DIY Tracking tool
I've not tried it,but there's a good mention on using just a 5 quid laser pointer on here
http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthr ... tid=153195
http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthr ... tid=153195
Re: DIY Tracking tool
I use a Gunson Trakrite - super bit of kit, cheap, simple and yet very accurate. Like you, I'd have spent a fortune at a professional place if I didn't have the tool, plus all the inconvenience.
Some people are like Slinkies - they serve no useful purpose, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them downstairs.
Re: DIY Tracking tool
This:
(And if you're too tight to shell out the £30 for a Trakrite, it's neither more nor less than a user-friendly scuff gauge which you can make at home using two sheets of 18swg steel, 18" x 2' on the ground, with one 2" narrower on top, and a magic marker since correct tracking isn't about a measurement, but about whither each wheel is running dead ahead relative to the rest of the car, the correct setting being that where the upper plate remains unmoved relative to the lower when you drive over it. Remember that the numbers aren't relevant).
is all. Thread won by Mr Barge.Luxobarge wrote:I use a Gunson Trakrite - super bit of kit, cheap, simple and yet very accurate. Like you, I'd have spent a fortune at a professional place if I didn't have the tool, plus all the inconvenience.
(And if you're too tight to shell out the £30 for a Trakrite, it's neither more nor less than a user-friendly scuff gauge which you can make at home using two sheets of 18swg steel, 18" x 2' on the ground, with one 2" narrower on top, and a magic marker since correct tracking isn't about a measurement, but about whither each wheel is running dead ahead relative to the rest of the car, the correct setting being that where the upper plate remains unmoved relative to the lower when you drive over it. Remember that the numbers aren't relevant).
J
"Home is where you park it", so the saying goes. That may yet come true..
"Home is where you park it", so the saying goes. That may yet come true..
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suffolkpete
- Posts: 1141
- Joined: Sun Jan 23, 2011 11:54 am
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Richard Moss
- Posts: 425
- Joined: Wed Jan 05, 2011 5:09 pm
Re: DIY Tracking tool
On my Jeeps I do the tracking with two steel broomhandles, a pair of bun gee cords and a tape measure. It works beautifully.
Broom handles are attached to the front wheels with the bungee cords and the tape measure is used to see how far they are off being parallel.
Broom handles are attached to the front wheels with the bungee cords and the tape measure is used to see how far they are off being parallel.
Re: DIY Tracking tool
I'll have a look for a trakrite then
The current issue I have (and the reason for getting irritated with paying garages to almost do a job) is that 2 cars steering wheels are slightly off which annoys me immensely.
The current issue I have (and the reason for getting irritated with paying garages to almost do a job) is that 2 cars steering wheels are slightly off which annoys me immensely.
Understeer: when you hit the wall with the front of the car.
Oversteer: when you hit the wall with the back of the car.
Horsepower: how fast you hit the wall.
Torque: how far you take the wall with you.
Oversteer: when you hit the wall with the back of the car.
Horsepower: how fast you hit the wall.
Torque: how far you take the wall with you.
Re: DIY Tracking tool
Good call.TerryG wrote:I'll have a look for a trakrite then
Another good call - like you I HATE steering wheels that are off-centre, I've virtually got OCD about it, and of the 6 cars in my keeper-ship at the moment, none have off-centre steering, almost entirely due to the services of said Trak rite. If only they'd lose that stupid spelling, it's be a perfect tool.TerryG wrote:2 cars steering wheels are slightly off which annoys me immensely.
Some people are like Slinkies - they serve no useful purpose, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them downstairs.
Re: DIY Tracking tool
It looks like the "Trakrite" name is applied to a couple of different products.
Do you have one of these: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GUNSON-G4008- ... 1053785124
or one of these? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gunson-77113- ... 1055440560
Do you have one of these: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GUNSON-G4008- ... 1053785124
or one of these? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gunson-77113- ... 1055440560
Understeer: when you hit the wall with the front of the car.
Oversteer: when you hit the wall with the back of the car.
Horsepower: how fast you hit the wall.
Torque: how far you take the wall with you.
Oversteer: when you hit the wall with the back of the car.
Horsepower: how fast you hit the wall.
Torque: how far you take the wall with you.
Re: DIY Tracking tool
One of the first type mate - the sliding type - didn't even know they made a laser one.
Here it is being used on my Volvo:
Cheers!
Here it is being used on my Volvo:
Cheers!
Some people are like Slinkies - they serve no useful purpose, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them downstairs.