19 replies to this topic

[Boycie]

Hi guys,

I decided to set my cars' tracking last night as it felt very wrong..
well it was- showing 3 degrees toe-in..

Anyway, I was rushed for time and ended up setting it 30 minutes toe out. Is this acceptable? The thread is the same on both sides and it feels lovely but will it scrub the tyres?

Many thanks.

[dklawson]

Hmmm... no one does their own?

It's been a while since I've messed with alignments. I have always worked to measured distances, not angles. I don't have the book in front of me but I remember the value as either 1/16" or 1/8" toe out. I'm not sure how either of those values compare to your 1/2 degree toe out. Regardless, setting a small amount of toe out will be better than toe in you started with. If the car feels good and doesn't shake or pull on the motorway, relax and enjoy your car.

[Boycie]

Cool thanks Doug. I'm always surprised at how nicer a car is to drive when the wheels are pointing in the right direction!

[Dan]

I believe it should be set to 15 minutes when measured as an angle but as Doug says, what you have done will be a vast improvement.

[Paul Wiginton]

It all depends on what wheel size you have. 10" should be 1.6mm out, 12 and 13" will be more

Paul

[dklawson]

It all depends on what wheel size you have. 10" should be 1.6mm out, 12 and 13" will be more
Paul

Thanks for that. I couldn't remember if it were 1/16" or 1/8" and hadn't thought about any influence of wheel size. 1.6mm is pretty close to 1/16".

[Boycie]

Cheers all, standard 4.5x10 rims with 145 tyres.

Been driving it alot today Feels tidy so I'll leave it and keep an eye on tyres.

[valve bounce]

if you rub your had across the tyre you will be able to feel which way the tyre is wearing and if its toe in or out

[MRA]

This is not the first time I have heard of people having toe in on a Mini it used to be the "norm" some years ago when most other vehicles were front wheel drive... but in this day and age it is just poor training to cut costs etc......

[Boycie]

Well the previous owner fitted two new track rod ends... so I presume it was too much effort to have it properly tracked afterwards.. Anyway, it still seems ok, I'm enjoying the handling which is just as well because the Mini is my daily at the moment Tyres seem to not be scrubbing at all so I think it's ok

[MiniMonty]

Can I have a slight newb hi-jack please ?

Just fitted some new steering rack gaiters and diff oil seals and although all
is essentially well the car now pulls slightly to the left (especially under breaking)
and the steering feels like it has a little more 'play' in it than it did before. (could be my imagination).
I was very careful to get the track rod ends and locking nuts back on exactly where they had been.

Any tips on curing this and any chance of a newbie guide to setting the front geometry ?
Standard Mayfair on 12".

Best wishes
Monty

[Boycie]

It probably does need tracking MiniMonty.. No matter how carefull you are when fitting a new TRE, I think differences in the actual manufacture of them would throw the alignment out anyway!
Do double check the 4x rack 'u' bolt nuts and column pinch bolt though, just to be sure

[rpowell86]

Quick Q:

According to the haynes manual the front wheels are supposed to be toe in & positive camber.

Is haynes wrong here?

[MRA]

Quick Q:

According to the haynes manual the front wheels are supposed to be toe in & positive camber.

Is haynes wrong here?

It says that ??? can you tell me where and which version page number etc... as that needs to fixed

Edited by mra-minis.co.uk, 30 June 2009 - 09:20 AM.

[Nightrain]

It's not called the HAYNES BOOK of LIES for nothing