Tracking

hi all

I have a wonky steering wheel (points to the right when driving in a straight line) on my F and i know that you meant to have these cars laser 4 wheeled aligned! but im being tight as ive just brought the exhaust 2 rear callipers and i now have a near bold back tyre so that to buy on Saturday i do hope it gets through its MOT! :sick:

so back to my wheel I do like to ramble! can i just get the front tracked (the traditional way) as the car drives fine keeps a straight line does not skip along the ground, or am i going to have to break out the wallet again....

If its all straight and true etc, then perhaps you just need to remove the steering wheel and reposition? (make sure you are familiar with airbag dangers and discharge steps first)

I dont think its worth just getting front wheels aligned. If you are going to do it, then do it right, it makes a big difference on thee carts. But as you said, it handles fine, so I'd go with steering wheel option

I'd go with broon on this one, if you can let go of the steering wheel and the car doesnt drift to either side then just re position the steering wheel.

Just keep an eye on your tyre wear, if one side starts wearing quicker than the other then you'll need to get a wheel alignment done.
Doesnt have to be laser alignment if you're on a budget, most garages will have an alignment kit.

Do you have power steering?

Yes it has

are you thinking it may be an epas falut, some one else mentioned this last week to me, sounds like fun!

As a total novice mechanic, I'd have to say repositioning the steering wheel is a very easy job. I had my wheel off to check the stalks. Just remember the battery disconnection for the airbags!

Dont all MGFs have power steering? I thought they were the first production car to fit EPAS as standard? :dunno:

I believe till 98 it was an option on Mpi's

The reason I asked about power steering is that it is important that the steering rack is centralised, ie the same no of turns to full lock in both directions from straight ahead.

Before repositioning the steering wheel, check your turns each way. If they're pretty equal, relocate the steering wheel. If the turns are more one way than the other you need to get the tracking adjusted by locking the steering wheel in the straight ahead position and adjusting the tres to align the road wheels from there.

This is so that the epas gives equal assistance to turn either way. If you don't do this you will probably find it harder to steer in one direction than the other. It might be necessary to adjust the epas after doing this too. :shrug:

BTW, The epas fault is when the steering turns itself to one side. Almost always to the left.
You can check by jacking the front of the car so that the road wheels are off the ground, then with the car in neutral and the handbrake applied, turn on the engine.

If the steering starts to self operate,turning to one side(left), you need the epas sensor adjusted. This is easier than it sounds, and the last maintenance day we had I adjusted 3 cars' steering.

broon wrote: Dont all MGFs have power steering? I thought they were the first production car to fit EPAS as standard? :dunno:

NO, EPAS was an option on the 1.8 mpi until 1998 when it became standard. The VVC did have it as standard from the start.
My 1996 F has it fitted as an optional extra, along with ABS and a passenger air bag. :thumbsup:

One bald rear tyre sounds worrying too (could be rear tracking) are you aware that Fs are very tyre sensitive and should only be replaced in matching pairs, unless the other rear tyre is very good and you can match it, you should do both rears. they are wider and a lower profile than the fronts.

I think you need to do a lot more checking, as David has said, check the ride height and that the suspension is pumped up
properly! what is the wear like on the front tyres and what make are they?