The tracking needed doing but I decided to fit lowering springs and new wheels before doing so. I have let everything settle in which time the tracking seemed worse after the springs were fitted.
Anyway, had 4 wheel alignment done today and according to the mechanic, they still could resolve the tracking. They’ve adjust as far as they can and it’s still pulling to the left but not as much as previous. its still over the tolerance.
Ive been told to replace the front right suspension arm for starters as this could remedy it.
Are the tyres worn evenly across the tread of each tyre? If tyres are worn unevenly, due to being used with out of alignment suspension they can cause a steering pull. Imagine what happens to a cone if you roll it on a surface. It’s odd that the wheel alignment won’t go into spec though, which measurement is out? Has it been set evenly side to side although out of spec? Trying different combinations of wheel position may help, swap the left side front to rear, then the right side front to rear then the rears left to right etc…
Only a suggestion, are your tyres all the same make and the pressures set right (29lbs on a mk3).
When i had mine done the very 1st thing he did was check the tyre pressures.
If everything is as above, as Robbie says front to rear swap would be my 1st thing.
One more thought have you got directional tyres fitted? and rolling the correct way.
Hope you get it sorted soon.
Thanks everyone, will check tyre direction tomorrow. The worse case scenario could also be a bent lower suspension arm, although this hasn’t happened while the cars been in my possession
It does not matter when the suspension arm was bent. If it is bent and you are aware it is bent, do not waste your time messing about with other items.
That’s the problem, i don’t know that it is and the technician couldn’t tell either. he said the front right hand side was where they couldn’t adjust anymore, if so, would there be a chance that the issue might be coming from another area and that the front is being adjust to compensate?
Where did you get the alignment done? These guys http://www.wheels-inmotion.co.uk/ are about an hour from you and are probably the best in the business.
It was at a local ATS. They’re suggesting something could be bent which is worrying as I don’t know what it would be? The car was maticulously looked after by the previous owner of 15 years and all receipts and bills don’t show any previous issues!
It’s a long time since I lived in the UK, but back in the day ATS didn’t have a clue about alignments for a '5. Most tyre fitters only have a vague idea how to set the track at the front and more often than not they get that wrong!
Well I was given the last minute afternoon off today so a call this morning booked me in. Have to say I’m mightily impressed. Set car up and was greeted with a screen of red. Everything was way out so nothing was bent. After a few mins of Joe working magic with his spanners a fast road setup and been accomplished. The drive home was brilliant. Everything felt tighter and more responsive. Worth every penny.
Pleased you got your problems sorted out. I’m about to get some lowering springs too and have been reading about potential pitfalls. I went for the Eibach ones from MX5 Parts. Were yours the same?
Very interesting thread. I had the wheel alignment done on my car recently but still feeling a bit of a pull to the left. Might give the WiM guys a call and get the alignment and geometry properly set up.
