Interesting info, need verified...

[16v_paddy]

I can verify that I haven't got a clue

[white16valver]

You know when you have no key in the ignition, your car is parked, your security steering lock engages, right?

Now, there is some play in the steering still. Turn the steering wheel left until you get the the end of the lock. If what the guide is saying is true, it SHOULD be the straight ahead point ... so the steering should be centred on the rack.

If it's not, then simply set the steering wheel to how it should be for going straight forward, then set the tracking accordingly.

Is this true? If so, mine is out, and I will correct this weekend...

WTF

I think I'm going daft in my old age as I swear that is the most confusing post ever LOL

So what you're saying is...

With the key not in the ignition and the wheels facing where you think straight ahead is, turn the steering to the left so the steering lock engages. When it's at the end of its travel to the left while 'locked', that is the straight ahead????

[Wobba]

You know when you have no key in the ignition, your car is parked, your security steering lock engages, right?

Now, there is some play in the steering still. Turn the steering wheel left until you get the the end of the lock. If what the guide is saying is true, it SHOULD be the straight ahead point ... so the steering should be centred on the rack.

If it's not, then simply set the steering wheel to how it should be for going straight forward, then set the tracking accordingly.

Is this true? If so, mine is out, and I will correct this weekend...

WTF

I think I'm going daft in my old age as I swear that is the most confusing post ever LOL

So what you're saying is...

With the key not in the ignition and the wheels facing where you think straight ahead is, turn the steering to the left so the steering lock engages. When it's at the end of its travel to the left while 'locked', that is the straight ahead????

That's what the tech manual says it should be, yes. So in theory if that is true if you have a sttering wheel that points left, even a bit, then the lock is engaged then the rack is not where it should be. I am going to test this theory before having the tracking done.

[stevie_b]

I have a manual rack and wound out track rod ends for my widetrack so I'm more interested in having a balanced amount of thread on each side within the rod, rather than having it technically 'spot on' by the tech manual but leaving me with a dangerously small amount of thread within the rod on one side. It would be interesting to see if both methods give the same result anyway though! I guess I can try by lining up the hole in the column with the hole that the steering lock would have gone through and seeing if its out.

[white16valver]

My head hurts lol

[Wobba]

My head hurts lol

*Pat*


Stevie, yea if you have a spare bit of time, check it out and see what it looks like I am going to test it tomorrow or Sunday if I have the time.

[Matty86]

I aligned mine by manually finding the centre of the rack.. i've just been out and checked that with my steering lock on and left hand down, the the wheel is bang on centre... so both methods work, but wobbas would be easier :p

[Wobba]

I aligned mine by manually finding the centre of the rack.. i've just been out and checked that with my steering lock on and left hand down, the the wheel is bang on centre... so both methods work, but wobbas would be easier :p

Ahh nice one!

I did actually do the counting rotations method when I had the track rods off to calculate the central position for the rack, but for whatever reason, its no longer central (I blame the shit tracking I had done not long ago).

As I have new suspension I want it set to straight ahead for when it goes to the specialist 4 wheel tracking place that can do my car with lowered suspension. I'll adjust tracking to roughly what it should be before I go.

I could let them do it, but I like to do as much as I can myself.

[Wobba]

Just to confirm: This method works.

For those of you doing track rods or wishing to reset their geometry etc, this is an effective way of setting it up and ridding the car of years of people tracking the car but not resetting the rack/steering wheel.

The balance between left and right turns has been restored (i.e. one side does not feel 'lighter' than the other when turning) and handling has never been better.

[white16valver]

If I can get my head round this when I'm sitting in the car, I might give this a go lol