Having had the sub-frame out, along with replacing inner and outer HICAS track rods and ball joints.

I thought it best to check the alignment of the rear wheels. So I have bought one of these.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/390427020071?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

 

Is there anything I need to know so as to get good results? or do I just drive over the thing and adjust accordingly?

Really do not want to set the rear end up wrong so any advise would be very much appreciated.

I would have just taken it to a garage for alignment mate, much easier.

to be honest they are not too bad as a quick check & have used these before.

 

You are not going to get the car aligned as accurately as using a computerised alignment but it should stop wear

 

the other thing is that as it only knows the total track it will not know if you have too much toe on one side compared to the other - so you could have a total toe reading of 0 degrees for example but you could have + half a degree on one side & - half a degree on the other side which will still cause skipping or pulling for example

 

HTH :)

I know what you mean Steams,

Only thing is, I have taken a few cars to have wheel alignment done only to find excessive tyre wear,

so I have ended up adjusting them myself by trial and error.

Did not want to have to do the same with the zed as the tyres are f**king expensive. lol

I know what you mean Steams,

Only thing is, I have taken a few cars to have wheel alignment done only to find excessive tyre wear,

so I have ended up adjusting them myself by trial and error.

Did not want to have to do the same with the zed as the tyres are f**king expensive. lol

 

Good on you for learning to do it yourself mate. I understand all about the tracking, toe, camber, caster etc, but I can never get it all to line up. So in my case best left to the pro's as If I did it I'd have the only zed that goes sideways everywhere :lol:

to be honest they are not too bad as a quick check & have used these before.

 

You are not going to get the car aligned as accurately as using a computerised alignment but it should stop wear

 

the other thing is that as it only knows the total track it will not know if you have too much toe on one side compared to the other - so you could have a total toe reading of 0 degrees for example but you could have + half a degree on one side & - half a degree on the other side which will still cause skipping or pulling for example

 

HTH :)

 

Cheers Paul C,

 

I did not realise it could only give an accumulative result, I naively thought it would work on each wheel independently. Good job you mentioned that!

It looks like I will have to use it to get the alignment somewhere near for now and do as Steams suggest, have it professionally tracked. (thanks Steams)

 

I am hoping it will at least solve my major problem, Since I have done the bushes, ball joints etc' my steering wheel is off to the left by 5 degrees or so when driving straight! will this be corrected once I have set the tracking? was fine before!