Steering Geometry

Steering Geometry

Author
Discussion

D4Dog

Original Poster:

3 posts

225 months

Wednesday 22nd February 2006
quotequote all
I had a problem with my X-type some years ago, in which both fronmt tyres wore down very rapidly on the inner edge. Given that it was less thana year old, and the tyres were down to the canvas, I thought this odd. Hartwells in Bristol examined the car, and advised me that the steering geometry wwas wrong (apparently this had been noted) and they applied the new settings. Problem solved.

I recently used a well known tyre centre to fit 4 new tyres. Whilst I was there, they did a complete geometry check, and it was way out - so they adjusted it. Just over one year later, front tyre goes flat - inside edge worn down to canvas again!!!

Clearly, the settings for camber and toe-in are wrong - does anyone know where I can find the correct, updated and proven settings? Also, is the (well-known) tyre company liable for applying the worng settings?

triple7

4,015 posts

244 months

Wednesday 22nd February 2006
quotequote all
Interesting point your raise. I was aware when I bought the car that it 'ate' the inside of tyres. I recently bought new 18' rims with new tyres, had an alignment done, which was spot on. I was interested to see that the spare wheel I took out the boot, had the inside edge worn to nothing. If you do find the answer then please let me know, I don't wish to buy new tyres every 12 months!

Incidently, what was wrong with the handling that you had the settings put back to allow the tyres to wear. If the tyres aren't wearing and the car handles fine would it not be best to leave it?

G

triple7

4,015 posts

244 months

Wednesday 22nd February 2006
quotequote all
I posted here a similar question, you may want to check out the site too.

www.jacobs.me.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=611#611

G

D4Dog

Original Poster:

3 posts

225 months

Wednesday 22nd February 2006
quotequote all
G - there was nothing wrong wth the handling other than a tremor in the steering, which Iput down to owrn tyres. However, I have always thoughtit good practice to have the geometry checked every couple of years, or after long distances - potholes etc can soon put it out. The problem is, I can only assume that the tyre garage used earlier values, thereby undoing the fix that Jag had provded. However, I am having some difficulty getting the Jag garage to track down the changes they made!

triple7

4,015 posts

244 months

Wednesday 22nd February 2006
quotequote all
Yeah, steering wheel shimey is just the need for an accurate balancing. Hope they can find the settings and set your car back up the right way/better way?

I'm going to keep a close eye on my tyres, if you get the settings back, an email back would be great.

Many thanks.

G

d4dog

Original Poster:

3 posts

225 months

Thursday 23rd February 2006
quotequote all
Got this from a nice lady at Jag. X-type, 4WD 2001 onwards.

Camber Front -1 deg 02 mins to -0 deg.02 mins. Rear -1 deg 12 mins to -0 deg 12 mins

Castor min +1 deg 59 mins to max +2 deg 59 mins

Toe-in Front -0 deg 16 mins to +0 deg 04 mins. Rear +0 deg 02 mins to + 0 deg 14 mins.

I suspect if you pick the middle value, or as close to, you should be alright. As it happens, the geometry set up by the tyre garage was MILES off!!!

triple7

4,015 posts

244 months

Thursday 23rd February 2006
quotequote all
Great to hear, so are you going back to them for a new set of tyres? Or maybe this is their way of making sure they have lots of future business!

G