Wheel alignment

Technical questions and answers about the Mazda Bongo

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Lloydy

Wheel alignment

Post by Lloydy » Sun Aug 24, 2008 11:44 pm

The bloke i bought my Bongo off of says he had to get the wheels balanced regularly?... I put this down to his stupid driving (knocking weights off) and /or the tracking being out.

Does anyone know anywhere that can do tracking PROPERLY in the Bristol area?

Does anyone else have to re-balance their wheels regularly?

Lloydy.
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M 80NGD
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Re: Wheel alignment

Post by M 80NGD » Sun Aug 24, 2008 11:55 pm

You can get the tracking done at most garages, if you know the tracking measurements!! If your a member of Bongofury,you can get the fact sheet from there. If your not a member,Ian (Bongomeister) will advise you on this site!! :o :o ,Lee.
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missfixit70
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Re: Wheel alignment

Post by missfixit70 » Mon Aug 25, 2008 12:08 am

You shouldn't have to have the balancing done regularly, sounds like the previous owner maybe had an affinity for kerbs? :?
Tracking settings are within the range -1 to 7mm toe in, but quite a few of us have them set parallel which is within that range, any decent tyre fitters or garage should be able to do the tracking, usually a free check & no charge if no adjustment necessary. I use Bathwick tyres, there may be a branch near you?
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brorabongo
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Re: Wheel alignment

Post by brorabongo » Mon Aug 25, 2008 12:45 am

Are you using different size tyres front and back? ( 195's front, 215's back) that what I was on and the front tyres were not lasting long, and the first sign that something was not right was wheel wobble, which can be balanced out, but it won't last long. :( I was advised by wheelquick to go 215's allround, and have never looked back, no problems since.

My 195's would castle (I think thats what they call it) which give me flat spots, uneven tread across the width, and along the tread, not like you get with over/under inflation retc. When I first got a set replaced, the garage said the tyres was more like a 50p shape than round. :?
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Lloydy

Re: Wheel alignment

Post by Lloydy » Mon Aug 25, 2008 2:48 am

Thanks for all the info ...

I am slightly concerned about the previous owner driveing habits too!

I have been told that doing the tracking on a 4WD is vastly differend to a standard car and that these places will take your money but make little differnce!?

Something about having to weight the vehicle correctly before alignment?

Has anyone had problems following tracking being done?

Lloydy
teenmal
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Re: Wheel alignment

Post by teenmal » Mon Aug 25, 2008 10:34 am

Hi Lloydy,havent had any problems,if you can get it done by laser,its far more accurate than optical.
Give your tyres and wheels a good check first.

Cheers Mal..
Lloydy

Re: Wheel alignment

Post by Lloydy » Mon Aug 25, 2008 11:55 am

Short of having my wheels balanced again i wouldnt know how to check the wheels and tyres?

They dont appear to be in bad shape but there are a lot of weights on them?

Any thoughts?

Lloydy
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missfixit70
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Re: Wheel alignment

Post by missfixit70 » Mon Aug 25, 2008 12:01 pm

Check for uneven tyre wear, dings on the wheels, make sure they aren't out of shape.
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dandywarhol
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Re: Wheel alignment

Post by dandywarhol » Mon Aug 25, 2008 12:29 pm

Lloydy wrote:Short of having my wheels balanced again i wouldnt know how to check the wheels and tyres?

They dont appear to be in bad shape but there are a lot of weights on them?

Any thoughts?

Lloydy
Lots of weights usually indicates an out of true rim/"made in the world" tyres which are umbalanced from day 1 or bad luck that the heaviest part of the wheel and heaviest part of the tyre are in the same area. I'd a problem wit ha lotof weight on a goodYear tyre and rim - I turned the tyre 180 deg. on the rim and it only took about 25 grammes to balance it (rather than 80 g. before)
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