New tyre fitted/steering wheel wrong

hiya

had 2 x new tyres fitted to my freelander yesterday and noticed today my steering wheel is now out of line.

now surely just by fitting new tyres couldnt put it out

ive taken the steering wheel off and moved it round a notch on the spindles but now concerned its knocked something out, ie my tracking etc.

just dont understand it, i rang them and they said if i want it to be aligned by lasers will cost me £60.00

it was find before i had the tyres fitted, the fronts had about 2mm on them they were removed, the rear ones that were nearly new put on the fronts and the brand new ones on the back, they are all now bridgestones

any ideas please

just dont want to ruin my new tyres

is it just a question of keeping an eye on them or is it worth getting them aligned by these lasers.

it doesnt pull to the left when im driving in a straight line and let go of the wheel for a second

thanks as always

gary

Sounds like they knocked the tracking out - put wheel back to where it was and have an argument with them. If it's out the tyre is wearing now so the damage is bring done.

Sounds like it could have a bent track rod, usually caused by the trolley jack being wrongly positioned.

£60 just for tracking, what a rip off. I did my own tracking with a Trackace laser unit. Bit fiddly to set up but very accurate & superb piece of kit. I was lucky enough to pick up a unit off ebay for £56 from a guy who was selling off a lot of trial pre-production units. Exactly the same as the main production except the case isn't as robust.

maybe they adjusted the tracking after fitting the tyres but didn't make sure the steering wheel was straight..

hiya

thanks guys i think i will pop the freelander back down there, they are a land rover specialist garage and i have been very happy with them in the past but just couldnt understand it why my wheel had gone out of line.

all the 4 x tyres have been wearing evenly so i know the tracking was ok, but certainly dont want my new rear tyres to wear out or the fronts that were changed from the back as they had plenty of meat still on them

they balanced all 5 x tyres up for me but when i rang them and spoke to them i was advised they dont do tracking when fitting new tyres unless there is a problem or asked for.

i will however have a look under the car tommorow of any marks, bent track rods etc but it doesnt pull to one side even when im in a straight line and let go of the wheel quickly for a second

will let you know of the outcome if thats ok, i wouldnt go down there and be rude to them as i know things can happen and to be honest im a bit of a woose as i dont like any confrontation and would just walk away and go elsewhere

thanks again my friends

gary

Did you get your service and MOT done????????

Hiya

I only got my mot done I've still got to do my full service and really keen to get the belts done and the oil in the ird and final drive done and engine oil etc. But had to get new tyres first as they were about to become illigal but now got that out of the way want to get all the other bits done epecially the belts as I don't know how to get them on and off as the garage want several 100 pound to do them and want to do it all myself to save some money

But really concered about my tracking at the moment and defentely want to get that done first would be ideal if I could do it myself but don't have the laser tracking

Hope your keeping well

Gary

Belts? What model is it?

Public profile says 2002 TD4.

Then there us no belt it's a chain unless he means something else

hiya

sorry the belts i meant were the air con, alternator, power steering belts etc.

didnt mean the timing chain, my apologise guys

ive booked the car back into the garage tommorow to get the tracking checked and fined out why my steering wheel went out of line, as im very concerned that as others have said here the damage to the tyres are being done to it know if indeed the tracking has been knocked out.

the garage has been very good in the past and i think unfortunatly i will have ot put this down to one of those things.

think it will be better to get all 4 x wheels done by the laser tracking.

silly question the laser tracking is it controled by a computer as was wondering if they print out the tracking of the wheels before and after

thanks again so much for all your great help with this,

will let you know tommorow if thats ok to update you if/ how much they were out.

defently learnt a lesson here as when i get new tyres put on again will show them the steering wheel is straight before its touched.

all the best

gary

gstuart said:

Hiya

I only got my mot done I've still got to do my full service and really keen to get the belts done and the oil in the ird and final drive done and engine oil etc. But had to get new tyres first as they were about to become illigal but now got that out of the way want to get all the other bits done epecially the belts as I don't know how to get them on and off as the garage want several 100 pound to do them and want to do it all myself to save some money

But really concered about my tracking at the moment and defentely want to get that done first would be ideal if I could do it myself but don't have the laser tracking

Hope your keeping well

Gary

Click to expand...

Im fine cheers, was expecting a call about you coming up to use the facilities that's all, hope every thing's ok.

Ya don't need laser tracking equipment to set ya tracking, we use dunlop optical gauges. From what you have said it sounds like they may have bent something when they jacked your car up to do the tyres.

oldskool said:

Im fine cheers, was expecting a call about you coming up to use the facilities that's all, hope every thing's ok.

Ya don't need laser tracking equipment to set ya tracking, we use dunlop optical gauges. From what you have said it sounds like they may have bent something when they jacked your car up to do the tyres.

Click to expand...

Trackace laser kit is cheaper than dunlop optical & is ideal for diy use. Probably not robust enough for constant garage use though but I definitely recommend it.

Hiya I do apologise for not calling to be totally honest I put you into my contacts and my pc crashed and lost everything and for the life of me couldn't remember your user name I know its cheeky but would it be ok to still give you a call please my email is [email protected]

I have actually booked my car to go back down the garage I'm actually waiitng in the reception now whilst there looking at it as I was concerned driving it any distance and doing any damage to my new tyres

I will if I may defently come up to you if that's still ok I know you was kind enough to send me the price list for parts etc may I have your email please

I'm really sorry once again and hope I may still be permitted to come and see you

Will if that's ok let you know how I get on about the tracking

All the best

Gary

hiya.

took my car back down the garage where i had the tyres fitted,

they done the full laser on all 4 x wheels.

they advised me the rear wheels where towing in by 1 and it should be towing out by 2

all now sorted and done only had to pay half as a good will gesture.£30.00

the steering wheel is now straight again and im a happy man.

cannot thank you guys enough for listing to me going on and as always giving me sound advice

all the best

gary

Sounds like there talking bollocks to me, more like they got it on the ramp found a bent track rod straightened it and done you a favour by only charging you £30, but as long as it's sorted and your happy it's all cool

chromiumuk said:

£60 just for tracking, what a rip off. I did my own tracking with a Trackace laser unit. Bit fiddly to set up but very accurate & superb piece of kit. I was lucky enough to pick up a unit off ebay for £56 from a guy who was selling off a lot of trial pre-production units. Exactly the same as the main production except the case isn't as robust.

Click to expand...

Can the traceace be used to setup the front and rear wheels on a Freelander 1, 2001? My car pulls to the left a bit. ATS said they did the front wheels with reference to the rear wheels, but can't setup the rear wheels. They did the fronts by putting clamp stands on both front and rear, and passing a laser along the side of the car, rear to front and adjusted. As it didn't work after the test drive, they didn't charge. This was mainly due to another "expert tyre fitter" who did a "4x4 laser track" which included steering geometry, and all 4 wheels. Well it did at the cash desk. They don't actually have the kit to do anything other than the front wheels. Un they were out anyway the bastids.

Can't find another garage who can confirm they can do all 4 wheels and geometry to the steering. Something about rear thrust angle if I remember correctly. Had a main dealer do a 4 wheel alignment and steering geometry some years ago. £150+vat. But only got charged £100+vat as I had to go back as they forgot to do it in addition to a service.

Have found the answer to my question regarding 4 wheel tracking and the trackace. The current model won't do rear wheels. It's front wheel only. However, an add on kit is planned for later this year.

gstuart said:

hiya

had 2 x new tyres fitted to my freelander yesterday and noticed today my steering wheel is now out of line.

now surely just by fitting new tyres couldnt put it out

ive taken the steering wheel off and moved it round a notch on the spindles but now concerned its knocked something out, ie my tracking etc.

just dont understand it, i rang them and they said if i want it to be aligned by lasers will cost me £60.00

it was find before i had the tyres fitted, the fronts had about 2mm on them they were removed, the rear ones that were nearly new put on the fronts and the brand new ones on the back, they are all now bridgestones

any ideas please

just dont want to ruin my new tyres

is it just a question of keeping an eye on them or is it worth getting them aligned by these lasers.

it doesnt pull to the left when im driving in a straight line and let go of the wheel for a second

thanks as always

gary

Click to expand...

hi just having the tyres change will not alter steering but may alter the camber a bit you need to have your tracking done but that is a rip of at £60 try some where like national tires they did mine on lazer for £25
hope this helps