Car tracking to one side

[TuggyChief]

Had front tyre replaced and car tracked , now car drives its self to the right and steering wheel not centred when driving straight , went back to tyre shop retracked still the same , put it back on ramp and they said tracking has moved , retracked , still the same , swapped tyres from side to side now tracks the other way with steering wheel still of centre but to the same side as before . Any body had the same or ideas ? there 18's with Conti's, checked pressures all ok .

 

[Sp!ke]

I have a few questions for you.

1. You replaced only 1 front tyre? Did you hit a kerb or something?
2. Is the other front tyre of the same brand and type and does it also have a similar amount of tread?
3. When you say you swapped your tyres from side to side, do you mean from front to back or side to side as tyres are usually directional, meaning you shouldnt swap side to side.
4. The place that does the tracking... do they do 4 wheel alignment or only fronts?



As for the point about the steering wheel not being centered - this usually indicates that the person doing the alignment doesn't know what they are doing.

 

[Sp!ke]

Another question I thought I would ask. When they fitted the tyre, do you recall where the radial markings were?

See link below which explains why I ask.

New Tyres and their Markings.... - Tyres / Wheels - Wheels-InMotion

That said, if your steering wheel is misaligned... it indicates that you've either hit a kerb and knocked the tracking or that the people doing the tracking didn't know what they were doing (or potentially both).

 

[TuggyChief]

Not long had the car just December , the o/s side front had worn due to tracking I presume so I ordered two new tyres , when they removed the front wheels the near side was almost brand new so they replaced the worn one only, they then swopped them side to side as they tell me the new one should be fitted to n/s as that side wears quicker due to round a bouts , there not directional but must be fitted the correct way round on the rim . Not hit any kerbs etc , they used laser tracking on all four wheels , im thinking they don't know what there doing but I've going there years and never had a problem .Can't see any marking on tyre what you've mentioned . perhaps I'll try another tracking shop...

 

[Sp!ke]

You could do worse than having it looked at by Olly at PCS in Horndean just to see if there are any worn bushes or other problems before you go getting it aligned.

Olly will be also able to advise on a reputable four wheel alignment specialist locally (if he doesn't do it himself that is).

 

[TuggyChief]

Thanks for info .