MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Mk5 General Area => Topic started by: vag12 on September 29, 2012, 01:09:29 am

Title: Tracking required?
Post by: vag12 on September 29, 2012, 01:09:29 am
I just fitted lowering springs and just wondering if tracking is needed and how soon should it be done?
Title: Re: Tracking required?
Post by: scopes on September 29, 2012, 01:15:45 am
Yes as soon as, It will stop your tyres wearing out unevenley!  :sad1:

Title: Re: Tracking required?
Post by: JoeDarKa on September 29, 2012, 01:54:24 pm
I didnt get mine done for yonks and ended up with excessive inner edge wear
Title: Re: Tracking required?
Post by: gazbutS3 on September 29, 2012, 02:56:25 pm
let it settle then get it checked
Title: Re: Tracking required?
Post by: RedRobin on September 29, 2012, 05:13:54 pm
.
Letting it settle only requires driving about 20 miles but give the new suspension a good workout!
Title: Re: Tracking required?
Post by: vag12 on September 29, 2012, 10:15:35 pm
Thanks guys, I went to the garage today and asked about it and he said he tracks it according to what the computer says which is basically standard setup so was saying it may be a bit out even if he tracks it?
Title: Re: Tracking required?
Post by: RedRobin on September 29, 2012, 10:24:56 pm

Thanks guys, I went to the garage today and asked about it and he said he tracks it according to what the computer says which is basically standard setup so was saying it may be a bit out even if he tracks it?


....Then I think you need to go to a tracking and alignment outfit that knows about suspension setups and not just someone dialling in values from a standard chart which any machine operator can do. I don't think it's so critical if your cambers have not been previously changed to improve handling. Non standard cambers, castors, toe-ins, ride heights, all need to be taken into account if your car has been setup by an expert.
Title: Re: Tracking required?
Post by: scopes on September 29, 2012, 11:39:24 pm
What would be a good set-up... camber, castors & toe-ins  :driver:
Title: Re: Tracking required?
Post by: sub39h on September 30, 2012, 12:25:11 am
I'd take it to vRSAlex. He told me he'd spent ages tweaking his Octavia spot on and has tuned my suspension similarly and it's a totally different car now.

You can't beat a specialist who owns a car with the same basic chassis and engine as your own car. You get all the advantages of his own fettling to his car
Title: Re: Tracking required?
Post by: scopes on September 30, 2012, 12:28:04 am
I would cause i know Alex is the man for the job, but its to far for me to travel...

I would need to go somewhere more local

 :happy2:
Title: Re: Tracking required?
Post by: RedRobin on September 30, 2012, 10:29:27 am

You can't beat a specialist who owns a car with the same basic chassis and engine as your own car. You get all the advantages of his own fettling to his car


.... :happy2: Absolutely spot on! Someone who looks after your car as if it was their own (assuming that is looking after their car well of course!).

This is exactly why it's always best to go to fellow enthusiast folks such as AKS, JKM, PDT, and Statller - Guys who are workshop guys and not just remappers and who have long experience of the platform. I appreciate that some folk's location makes this much more limited but surely there must be someone in Scotland and Ireland? It would be useful for the forum to know about them.
Title: Re: Tracking required?
Post by: sub39h on September 30, 2012, 09:45:58 pm
I did a 200mi trip to see Alex on more than one occasion. It's worth it
Title: Re: Tracking required?
Post by: bacillus on September 30, 2012, 09:52:10 pm
Any dealer here near to you?
http://www.wheels-inmotion.co.uk/tyre-fitting-centres.php
Title: Re: Tracking required?
Post by: vag12 on October 14, 2012, 01:00:41 pm
Right the inner tyre wear is gone crazy nearly bald so I need to get mine done ASAP, how much does Alex charge for 4 wheel alignment?
Title: Re: Tracking required?
Post by: the bruce on October 14, 2012, 05:12:26 pm
.
Letting it settle only requires driving about 20 miles but give the new suspension a good workout!

 :happy2:

Yes, drive it an hour or so on bad roads and settling has happened.
I'd go for an alignment as soon as possible.

There are some good thread about alignment. You want to read them
before gthe alignment is done.
Take care they reduce rear camber and adjust both sides as equal as
possible.