Tracking Issues

RUM4MO

Active Member
Jun 4, 2008
7,784
983
South Scotland
I assume that this is a non too subtle attempt at trolling within this thread. I'm pretty sure Skoda, VW, SEAT, Audi etc all assemble parts provided by third party suppliers that form what is known as a 'supply chain'. Whilst I don't know where the bushings and other suspension components are manufactured, it could be Birmingham, or Berlin, or most likely Beijing. If you need me to get some crayons to illustrate this for you, then please let me know......

No, its based on the fact that this platform, although roughly might be thought to have been first launched as Audi A2, was more fully first launched as Skoda Fabia, and when you have bought lots of bits for the "running gear" for a VW Polo 9N, then you will have discovered that the stated source country is CZ!

Having spent a lifetime in manufacturing industry I know too well that most parts now come from places that still do not get known for their excellance in quality. Supply chain, ie outsourcing the supply of parts does tend to save money for the manufacturer but you normally end up with some numb skull in the supply chain procurement specifying the parts by price and not by them being "correct or suitable for end use". Procurement people are not fully to blame as most of them should not even be trusted with a toilet brush!
 
Dec 18, 2010
991
1
Lincolnshire
I must admit I have noticed a bit of pull recently, since the rear coilovers went on. It seems to do it with more people in the car but sometimes also when I'm by myself although I could just be being paranoid. Car is booked in for next monday to get front coilovers fitted, rears checked & tracking sorted. Can't wait!
 
Sep 3, 2008
873
0
Buckie, Moray
Heres the before measurements. Already had it set up and then about a year later notice the start o tyre wear, Im sure it had only changed recently as the wear wasnt too bad and it was ok before and at MOT time the previous month.

063298ed.jpg


After
bfb8d97a.jpg


I suspect my wishbone bushes are shagged again, particularly the nearside and also get a wee knock when going into my driveway. Got some cupra ones to be fitted
 

vroomtshh

Full Member
Sep 11, 2005
4,222
3
Dreghorn, Scotland
After
bfb8d97a.jpg


I suspect my wishbone bushes are shagged again, particularly the nearside and also get a wee knock when going into my driveway. Got some cupra ones to be fitted

Personally, I'd make the camber adjustable, and take both fronts and rears to 1 degree
And I'd set the front toe to 0degrees. You lose a little initial turn in but increase mid corner stability. Plus with dynamic toe, you end up with a little toe in on the move anyway.

TBH although the garage obviously have the gear, they haven't done the best job they could have done
 
Sep 3, 2008
873
0
Buckie, Moray
Personally, I'd make the camber adjustable, and take both fronts and rears to 1 degree
And I'd set the front toe to 0degrees. You lose a little initial turn in but increase mid corner stability. Plus with dynamic toe, you end up with a little toe in on the move anyway.

TBH although the garage obviously have the gear, they haven't done the best job they could have done

How do I go about making the camber adjustable? As far as I was aware Ibizas could only be adjusted so much? Think the likes of EP3 CTR geometry can be adjusted a fair bit to get a good fast road setup?
 

vroomtshh

Full Member
Sep 11, 2005
4,222
3
Dreghorn, Scotland
How do I go about making the camber adjustable? As far as I was aware Ibizas could only be adjusted so much? Think the likes of EP3 CTR geometry can be adjusted a fair bit to get a good fast road setup?

Your limited at the rear, but theres stil generally a bit of adjustment on all the bolts.

For the front, remove the bottom ball joints and slot the mouning holes and you can have whatever camber you wish.
 

allias

Active Member
Nov 17, 2011
96
0
Somewhere in a middle
With camber dont mess with it by yourself - you will end up doing more bad then good. But like vroomtshh said you have to much neg camber on front and thats way this wear problem. Ideal would be to shift subframe from left to right and make an even spread. That way you can adjust it without special kits. Only problem you need the same good equipment to make adjustment on camber and leave even caster so it wont pull to side after.

Overall they done it fine but in lazy way. They have equipment but have no intrest to use it full way.
 

NickyJam

FR - gone, not forgotten
Mar 17, 2008
1,669
0
SW LONDON
make sure you have the cupra solid bushes put in (if you still ride on standard bushes you may be able to get them replaced free of charge by SEAT if they're causing you grief)...i had tracking problems a few times in the first 2 years of ownership which went as follows:

1. standard factory bushes split, replaced under warranty by SEAT as these were VOID by SEAT UK with revised VW web-design model
2. web-design bushes split, replaced once again under warranty by SEAT with solid CUPRA bushes (never had a problem again, ride remains unchanged)

although i got SEAT to do the final realignment it hasn't been out since and have had a few pot-hole scares in the last 1 yr and half! According to SEAT it was a known problem that other bushes have a lot of play in them, supposed to give more ride comfort, but tbh it felt the same with the solid CUPRA ones in :shrug:

hope that helps in any way...
 

allias

Active Member
Nov 17, 2011
96
0
Somewhere in a middle
Finally got round to scanning mine in:

tracking.jpg

Im supprised they havent measure caster (dispite its not adjustable) its still affecting vehicle. It need someone who is willing to do that job. In fact it all look very good and very close and it does require tweaking. Front subframe need re-aligning as well as back.
With oneone willing to put some effort you should result in "0" thrust angle and even camber with that toe. As far as front, it needs checking caster and then correcting all at once.

Its not bad but there is still plenty to do to make it better.

I know place where they are willing to adjust things like that.
 

Chino_UK

Team Creatine
Jul 19, 2009
1,587
5
Cheadle, Cheshire
This is the thing, finding a place that specialises enough in alignment to do it.

Most places sell it as a 'side product' to selling tyres etc. In fairness that feels pretty good, and after they tracked it last time I got 15k out of a pair of Toyo Proxes 4 on the front, which all in all is not too bad with the torque/bhp the car runs.
 

Chino_UK

Team Creatine
Jul 19, 2009
1,587
5
Cheadle, Cheshire
If all else fails I think I know a place near Warrington.

However...Whilst doing a few jobs the other day, I found a tiny bit of play in my passenger side track rod end...think I need to get that bad boy sorted before anymore alignment works :/
 
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