Strange kwik fit problem..

[supadupagt4 0]

HI guys..

I replaced my steering rack at the weekend as the track rod was loose.. save any messin, replace the whole rack and ends..

Anyway..

Took it to kwik fit to get it aligned, it was out +14 on passenger side and +4 on drivers side.. I expected something like that..

But......... When he tried to adjust it, the drivers side would only do 2 turns of thread before being right at the end of the thread. he adjusted the pass side ok.. but that was near the end. when i say 'end' i mean the end of the thread closest to the engine, not the wheel.. if u get me..

So he told me i have to take the car to a specialist alignment place to see if the car is out.. odd i thought..

Anyone have any ideas??

tony.

[hvr6 88]

you probably need a specialist place wherebouts are you in SE I know a good place Hoddesdon, Herts

[supadupagt4 0]

i'm over near dartford tunnel.. i've got the nuber of a place.. but i can't see whats wrong.. or why it could be.. it's just dead odd..

[CALICO 130]

did you get the right rack as there are 2 different lengths

[supadupagt4 0]

i put both next to each other and were the same lenght.

I was thinkin.. the guy doin the tracking put the steering wheel 'straight'.. but i recon the wheel was out by a few teeth.. maybe if we turn the wheel slightly and re'align it then it mightmake a difference?.

tony.

[CALICO 130]

if one end was all the way on and the other nowhere near then i think that would be it

[spindat45 0]

I used to do tracking and it sounds to me like the person doing your tracking didn't know how to resolve the problem.

You may have to set the rack up by measuring the length of each arm but the following was how I used to set up new steering racks prior to adjusing the tracking.

Steering wheel needs to be removed in my opinion so disconnect battery, remove the airbag and undo centre nut but not completely. A firm hit from behind the wheel should free it from the spline but leave it in place until the end.

Get the front wheels of the car as straight as possible by eye when on the ground. Regardless of the position of the steering wheel, clamp it in that position or tie it to something so it can't move.

Jack up and secure the car then remove both track rod ends but count each full 360 degree turn as you do on each side. Add the two amounts together then divide that figure by two. Re fit the track rod ends an equal amount of turns on either side. This should give you enough adjusment on either side. Once the car is back on the ground, you can remove the wheel completely and get it as straight as possible. You should now be able to get it tracked without any problems as even if the tracking and or the wheel are out of alignment, both can be corrected and you will still have plenty of threads left on either side.

Final check is to make sure that you have and equal amount of turns from lock to lock. If you don't then you may need to have the rack re aligned whereby you measure a set distance from the center of the rack to the end of the arm. I don't think that will be necessary in your case but bare it in mind.

I hope this isn't too confusing but if you want more info just give me a PM.

Kevin

[supadupagt4 0]

great.. cheers for that kev.. you nearby by any chance?? ;-)

tony.

[spindat45 0]

No probs.

I'm a fair distance away from you if you're near the tunnel as I'm more SW, but tbh I don't like to get my hands dirty anymore, even when it comes to my own car. plus I don't have the time these days and can't take the cold. I'm more the free helpful advice type of mechanic .

I hope you get it sorted.

Kevin