tracking

[scumbag]

A guy here at work, just asked me if you can tell if your tracking is out without having it tested. in otherwords, what signs would you have.

i rattled on about the tyres having uneven wear, but that was about it.

 

[PJH]

The vehicle won't go straight...
http://www.familycar.com/alignment.htm

http://www.pureservice.com/site/content.asp?pageID=WheelAlignment

 

[Flash]

Another technique is to find a nice straight flat/even road and drive the car up to 30/35MPH and then suddenly brake (letting go of the steering wheel before ahnd) and if the steering wheel does not pull out of the centre postion by much then tracking is fine (obviously MBs tend to pull slightly to the left anyway but if the steering wheel moves too much to the left in this test then that may suggest that something is not right...) and off course if the steering wheel moves to the right then tracking is def well out!!!

 

[Dieselman]

Essentially the tyres will be wearing unevenly and the tread blocks will have a feathered look and feel.

 

[Tiff]

Yup,all of the above,plus,usually your steering wheel will be offset. If you rub your hand over the tread of the tyre,you will feel an "edge" one way where the trye is scrubbing up the road,

 

[Swiss Toni]

Another technique is to find a nice straight flat/even road and drive the car up to 30/35MPH and then suddenly brake (letting go of the steering wheel before ahnd) and if the steering wheel does not pull out of the centre postion by much then tracking is fine (obviously MBs tend to pull slightly to the left anyway but if the steering wheel moves too much to the left in this test then that may suggest that something is not right...) and off course if the steering wheel moves to the right then tracking is def well out!!!

My mate did this, and found the car pulling to the right.

Took me out and it stoped straight and true every time.

On his own again, and it pulled to the right....

Had more to do with him (us) being fat lads in a light car than the tracking...