Hi - I have looked everywhere on here, I think, but I cannot find any info about the tracking (wheel alignment) on the Townie. I went to EBT and they did not have a listing for the Townie, not even the old Model F. They did do my tracking before, but the bloke who did it has now left and working in Barry. Nobody else there knows the specs. I told them that I will find out, but I still haven't. Sorry for taking your time if it is somewhere in Ace Answers. And Thank you - Jo

- (#10456) Jo, 27 Apr 04 08:03

Jo,

+/- 2 mm toe in
- (#10456) Clive (Bristol), 27 Apr 04 08:25

Clive
What does +/-2mm mean?
Should there be a tolerance figure given, or does it mean zero to 4mm toe in? (measured where)
Confused! Ray.

- (#10456) Ray A, 27 Apr 04 13:28

Ray,
Front wheels should be at zero degrees from each other, however the geometry of the steering/suspension may wear, if the zero can not be met a toe in (front of wheel in rear out) can be allowed up to 2mm less or more than zero to reach the required setting.
I read and re-read the above and still don't know if it is clear, only worked at a tyre place for 6 weeks. Any adjustment center will know what to do though.
Catch me at an Ace Jam and I draw pretty pictures.

- (#10456) Clive (Bristol), 27 Apr 04 16:17

Ray, setting is 0mm toe-in/out, tolerance +- 2mm. So you want the wheels parallel, but they could be up to 2mm either side of that. Personally, I'd aim for the toe-out side of things as they're known to scrub the outside of the front tyres.

Alternatively, get a Gunson's Trakrite- numbers are irrelevant then!

- (#10456) David Miller, 28 Apr 04 00:33

Cheers Dave, Clive. Just fitted high quality 95T rated tyres to front axle and will get alignment checked / adjusted with lazer equipment. I've now got 4 Lassa Miratta (Bridgestone commercials) fitted and the ride / handling is excellent.

- (#10456) Ray Ambler, 28 Apr 04 01:31

Thanks Clive and Dave, but I have another problem. I took it in today for tracking and they said it was spot on. I saw the laser beams myself and they were correct. But ........ I still have a problem while driving. The car tends to go to the left and steering around right-hand bends is harder than it used to be. They have checked the bushes and showed me that they are OK. So this good news (which would have cost only £16) is now turning into bad news (which could cost £hundreds). I would love you to give me any suggestions as to why this is happening before I take it into a garage, as I know they will try to rip me off if I don't know what I'm on about.

If nobody replies to this (as it is under "Tracking", then I will start another thread. Thanks for any advice, after all I need to drive to some old AceJam in Brean in 22 days' time, hopefully!

Jo

- (#10456) Jo, 28 Apr 04 13:42

I haven't got a real answer to this but I have faced the same situation - tends to go to the left. Remembering the Ace is very heavy on the front wheels I checked the tyres and equalised pressures carefully and then went to test it on a really flat surface in case it was just the road camber pulling it left (suggested in an archived posting).

Of course you can't find a flat surface - if there was it wouldn't drain and would be a hazard. So the next best thing was to drive along the middle of the road - you often have to do that anyway with cars parked along both sides. I came to the conclusion that, in general, it DID pull to the right when I passed the middle of the road. Since then, even though I drive on motorways with a gentle pressure against the slight slope, I don't worry about it being a problem with the car. I use 40psi in the tyres, perhaps if I used less it would be less noticeable. Am I kidding myself?

- (#10456) Dave (Sussex), 29 Apr 04 03:18

Assuming that there is no slight drag on any of the brakes, front or back, then it could be related to the shock absorbers.If one is slightly more worn than the other then it can cause this problem.
I also remember something about the camber setting, but I have no real knowledge of what it is or how it is set.

- (#10456) dave Bright (Bournemouth), 29 Apr 04 03:30

Camber and caster both should be set and no adjustment needed unless there has been some accident damage. Needs a special rig to test.
I guess that the tracking place would have picked up on the shocks, and tyre pressure, or am I being to hopeful here?
Jo have you uneven tyre wear? Have you tried the rear wheels on the front to see if that is any different?
Has the steering got heavy or any new noises?
Have the upper ball joints been greased?
Grease nipples on sale at Brean and Bridport Jams by the way.

- (#10456) Clive (Bristol), 29 Apr 04 04:18

Thank you all of you for your speedy advice.
1st - Talking about accidents, a woman did smash me up the rear, but it was a while ago. This has happened recently.
2nd - My tyres have not worn anywhere and the pressures are all OK, checked again yesterday at tyre place - the two front ones are nearly new
3rd - Clive, the steering is only heavier when turning right
4th - I don't know how to check shock absorbers, but at the last service they were OK.
5th - Clive, I like your ad for Grease Nipples, but I wouldn't know how to do this, as I am a garage person (still under warranty, btw). I only do the small bits, like oil, water, tyres. I often do a doctor's home-made remedy, if it doesn't go after 3 days, go to the surgery (garage)!

I will keep trying to drive in the middle of the road, well we have so many pot-holes, that I have to sometimes. I think it is safe as there is no noise or lights showing, or smells.
Thaks again
Jo
- (#10456) Jo, 29 Apr 04 06:57

Could the power assisted steering be on the way out, perhaps?

- (#10456) Jo, 29 Apr 04 07:16

How recent are the new tyres, has it started since they were put on?

- (#10456) Clive, 29 Apr 04 07:20

Clive, in answer to the one above, no. But, I had a nail in the front left and took it in to be repaired, but luckily, the nail was so short that it didn't go right through and no damage was done. The tyre was about 2 weeks new, so the thread was too thick for the nail to go through. Anyway, since the tyre was put back on, it was after that that the problem started. Why do you ask? could it be connected? I heard an intermittent hissing noise today, but don't know where from. It was the same sort of sound you get when passing trees in a row, or railings (can't explain in writing) - sort of a fast hiss, stop, hiss, stop. You must know what I mean, otherwise people reading this will think I've gone truly loooopy. It hisses faster when driving faster, and slower when driving slower or coming to a stop. I heard this before when I found a stone in the tread, but I looked and found none today.
Thanks for your time. - Jo

- (#10456) Jo, 29 Apr 04 17:08

OK I think it's time to get those boys of yours to swop the wheels around. Swop fronts with the back ones and see if that sorts your problem.
Hissing, window slightly open that is normally closed?

- (#10456) Clive, 30 Apr 04 00:45

Clive, hissing sound while window slightly opened. I always have the window slightly open. Today, it rained and there was no hissing noise. Do you think that perhaps there is some dust on the brakes rubbing and the rain washed it off, but then again, it still pulls slightly to the left.

- (#10456) Jo, 30 Apr 04 17:32

New tyres scrubbing? change them around and see.

- (#10456) Clive, 1 May 04 01:09

Success at last!!
I gave up and took the Townie to Toyota. The noise was explained as the metal residue build-up of the brakes. It seems that the brakes are made of some sort of metal that when used, bits come off and build up, so making a rubbing noise. The fitter was great. He took off all the brakes and cleaned them all. He said that there was also loads of dust in them. He praised the Townie, saying that it was a wonderful vehicle and said how good the underneath was. He also said it was a wonderful drive and great to handle. He tried cornering and straight road driving and it does not pull to the left anymore. He kept praising the Townie, saying that its performance is as good as the new cars they are selling. I came from there very happy indeed. Many thanks go to Clive and Dave for helping me and for the time and trouble in writing! Perhaps I have converted the fitter into buying a Townie! - Jo

- (#10456) Jo, 13 May 04 17:34

Well you live and learn.
A happy Jo, did you get a cup of coffee while you waited?
See you at the Ace Jam.
Clive

- (#10456) Clive, 14 May 04 01:00