Tracking/wheel alignment help

[drewbee]

Hi

I took my car to a garage this morning to get the tracking done, and the guy told me that audis are a pain to do, something like you have to undo a nut somwhere and that can be seased!

i fort i would be ok, so i told him to do it, and he came back saying that he coundt undo the pass. side. so i left and went ot another place.

this 2nd place said the same thing but had ago at it, an hour later and a quick test drive, he told me the tracking was bang on and after the test drive, it seemed fine.

but im pretty sure the steering wheel is going slightly left to keep the car straignt.

anyways, my question is, could it be that the 2nd garage coundnt be assed to do it and just made up the crap about it being spot on?

although both garages didnt charge me!

has anyone here had troubles getting a garage to align their wheels?

thanks

 

[markyzs180]

happens alot unfortunately, even with the sterring wheel clamped in the correct postion because they are changing the track of the front wheels you cna end up with a slightly off center wheel. Just had our Zaf sri 4 wheel laser aligned and the steering wheel is out by about 1 degree now......give it a couple of days and you'll not notice it lol

 

[Woorlord]

I had an optical check after an MOT (at a local small garage) as they flagged up internal tyre tread wear on the fronts. They checked it and said it was spot on.
Still got the wear - so reckon first optical check was wrong and did need adjustment.

The nut is located high on the suspension on the A4 and I had the same problem with Kwik-Fit when I ordered a £27 (ordered on-line) laser tracking check, (and adjust if necessary), when I had 4 new tyres fitted.
With sports suspension it's even more limited access to this track bar nut and thread adjustment.
The passenger side adjustment nut was corroded on mine too.
I insisted on it being done and even supervised the guys in the workshop and gave em a hand!
They found a very small blow torch (gas canister propelled) and were able to heat the nut and thread up to release them - although this had to be done with the wheel off to loosen the necessary parts, and kept away from the rubber gaiters nearby.

After adjustment, did a test drive and the steering wheel in a straight line was very slight wonky, but as they recommended coming back within 14-days anyway for a 2nd free check this was corrected at that time.
On reflection, the steering wheel got wonky as we had to release their steering wheel lock gadget, (normally set straight on), to get the car in a position to remove the n/s wheel and loosen that awkward nut.
After the 2nd visit - everything was sorted.

To check the steering wheel alignment - find a nice straight road with no adverse camber and take your hands off and see where the steering wheel settles in a straight line.

 

[drewbee]

I had an optical check after an MOT (at a local small garage) as they flagged up internal tyre tread wear on the fronts. They checked it and said it was spot on.
Still got the wear - so reckon first optical check was wrong and did need adjustment.

The nut is located high on the suspension on the A4 and I had the same problem with Kwik-Fit when I ordered a £27 (ordered on-line) laser tracking check, (and adjust if necessary), when I had 4 new tyres fitted.
With sports suspension it's even more limited access to this track bar nut and thread adjustment.
The passenger side adjustment nut was corroded on mine too.
I insisted on it being done and even supervised the guys in the workshop and gave em a hand!
They found a very small blow torch (gas canister propelled) and were able to heat the nut and thread up to release them - although this had to be done with the wheel off to loosen the necessary parts, and kept away from the rubber gaiters nearby.

After adjustment, did a test drive and the steering wheel in a straight line was very slight wonky, but as they recommended coming back within 14-days anyway for a 2nd free check this was corrected at that time.
On reflection, the steering wheel got wonky as we had to release their steering wheel lock gadget, (normally set straight on), to get the car in a position to remove the n/s wheel and loosen that awkward nut.
After the 2nd visit - everything was sorted.

To check the steering wheel alignment - find a nice straight road with no adverse camber and take your hands off and see where the steering wheel settles in a straight line.

Hey Woorlord,

i went to kwik fit last weekend and they told me it would cost from £49.99 to £100 to get my audi tracked depending on how much adjustment it needed!! - i walked straight out of the door.

he must of quoted me wrong if you paid them £27!!

might try another kwik fit LOL

 

[Woorlord]

As I said at Kwik-Fit, I had 4 new tyres and Laser tracking alignment which I pre-ordered ONLINE from their website and arranged for fitting at one of their local garages.
Just checked their website today and with tyre quantities from 1 to 4 wheel alignment is still £24.50+VAT.
However, you can't get it without a new tyre purchase, entering 0 tyres and you can't select the alignment option.

Doubt if you will get this offer by simply driving in off the street and only wanting alignment.
£60+ is what I would estimate.

 

[Syncopix]

I have just had my car done today by a company that use Hunter alignment machines - they're accurate to 0.01 of a degree. I got a print out for the work they did of a 'before' and 'after'.

They also said about the A4 being a pain to do, but that was something to do with the track rod ends, although he didn't specify why. It cost me £45 in total to have it done, but my god they have done a cracking job. It took them about 35 minutes to do in total. Here is the website:

CLICKY

Find somewhere near you and give them a call, the cost of the work is relational to the amount of correction needed.

 

[Syncopix]

Just to add, this is like the printout I had...

LINK

 

[jisumfish]

Had the same problem with mine. Garage where I had the tyres fitted said they couldn't do Audis! Phoned up Audi for a price check, I think they wanted somewhere round £150!!

Got in done by a local independent in the end for £70 - no problems steering wheel is spot on.
I asked him about it having to be done by an Audi specialist, he said that wasn't the case but that sometimes it could be tricky and therefore alot of tyre centres wouldn't attempt Audi's, because of the issues stated above.

 

[Woorlord]

Just to add, this is like the printout I had...

LINK

Now that's good and a-lot more than your standard tracking alignment check.

 

[simon.m]

think they are in the wrong job if they cant do any car.
evan if they are a pain if it needs to be done they should do it good old Kwik-Fit lol

 

[ringo_the_audio]

Personally, I wouldn't touch Kwik-Fit with a Cattle prod. Don't fall for the adverts on TV, they are actors. I've always steered clear of them after being burned a few years ago of which got nasty with solicitors etc.. They are ruddy monkeys.

 

[aragorn]

The front of an A4 is no more complicated to track than a Vauxhall Corsa. It has a track rod end and a locking nut, just like a corsa (and most other cars out there) and they're just as likely to sieze up. TBH, i've had LESS problems with corroded and siezed nuts/bolts on my Audi than i ever had on my previous vauxhalls, and the A4 is older too, mainly because all the audi bolts/threads/fixings appear to be zinc plated.