Motoring Discussion > Ford Mondeo IV - My tracking woes Miscellaneous
Thread Author: Videodoctor Replies: 14
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New Fri 11 Feb 11 20:16 
 Ford Mondeo IV - My tracking woes - Videodoctor
After hitting a pothole and damaging a tyre i decided to get the tyre replaced and have the tracking checked.I went to one of those tyres places where youngsters work and had the damaged tyre renewed.They then checked the tracking on the front wheels only.They said it was out and adjusted it accordingly.Up until i had the tracking done the car had driven perfectly fine.After it had been done i noticed that the car didn't feel planted anymore and it felt skittish with the steering seeming to wander.I mentioned it to my local indie and he said to get it 4 wheel tracked by professionals.I took it to a body repair company that repair accident damaged cars and then 4 wheel track them to make sure they are ok.
They had the car for the morning and checked over everything.I got a computer printout of before and after and guess what.The front tracking was out.Even the rear tracking needed to be adjusted back in.Anyway after this was all done the car now drives perfectly with the skittishness gone and feeling more planted.
Moral of the story get the tracking done by professionals on 4 wheel alignment and not some spotty kid on 2 wheel alignment.
I know i should go back to complain to the first place but they would probably say that the tracking went out again after i'd left.I feel they didn't do it right in the first place.
Anyway if you car doesn't feel planted get the tracking checked because it makes a hell of a difference!.
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New Fri 11 Feb 11 20:35 
 Ford Mondeo IV - My tracking woes - Bigtee
A long time ago when i worked for kwik fit for a time we had those gauges with a mirror and a torch beam shinning onto a gauge.

These were very crude and after several knocks or fell off the wheels you can guess how many people came back to complain.

It was updated several years later to 4x wheel alignment which was better.

I took the vectra to vauxhall for mine doing and it was done correct.

You pay your money and take your choice. :-)
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New Fri 11 Feb 11 20:41 
 Ford Mondeo IV - My tracking woes - Bellboy
never give your gages to a fool bigtee never drop them and always realign them before use on flat concrete ground
they will last a lifetime
(im on my second pair someone stole the first set in the big thieving of 92)
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New Fri 11 Feb 11 20:42 
 Ford Mondeo IV - My tracking woes - Skoda
Someone told me its DIYable. The laser kit is just faster, not any more accurate. If I could rent the kit I'd give it a whirl.
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New Fri 11 Feb 11 20:49 
 Ford Mondeo IV - My tracking woes - Skoda
Actually I've just checked prices. Looks like it's £80 for a local Motorsport engineering crowd + £15 per adjustment required.

Can't imagine it'd be less than £80 to rent for a day, so free expert advice chucked in by the pros. Prob stick to taking it in.

Had the Beemer done at the main dealers last year I think it was. £120 I think, but they didn't set ride heights before starting so wasn't perfect.
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New Fri 11 Feb 11 20:40 
 Ford Mondeo IV - My tracking woes - Bellboy
i would be interested to hear how the bodyshop would realign the back wheels if found to be wanting but i digress

there is nothing wrong with front wheel alignment gauges i use them myself they are £750 new now
its the man
not the tool
or in this case the man (boy) using the tool was the tool

by the way they will have tracked your car on one side only (the first place) so it will indeed feel skitty and also feel like its going to fall over on full lock
i would indeed go back and ask for a refund of the job done bad and ask that they retrain their staff in the correct way to do tracking safely and correctly (are they in a trade body?)
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New Fri 11 Feb 11 22:13 
 Ford Mondeo IV - My tracking woes - Videodoctor
"i would be interested to hear how the bodyshop would realign the back wheels if found to be wanting but i digress"

On the Mondeo the rear wheels can be adjusted as well as the fronts.I don't know if its possible on all cars but it certainly is on the Ford.
I paid £30 to the first cowboy and then £80+vat to the professionals.


Last edited by: Videodoctor on Fri 11 Feb 11 at 22:13
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New Fri 11 Feb 11 22:18 
 Ford Mondeo IV - My tracking woes - Iffy
...I don't know if its possible on all cars...

I had all-wheel tracking done after buying four new tyres for the Focus.

Very impressive computer printout, including a red/amber/green diagram for each wheel.

If it's not possible to adjust the tracking on the rear, I was mugged. :)



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New Fri 11 Feb 11 22:35 
 Ford Mondeo IV - My tracking woes - Hard Cheese

I was certainly possible on the Mondeo III, cam bolts on the low links, the FocuST is the same so I guess the Mondeo IV can be similarly adjusted.

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New Fri 11 Feb 11 22:36 
 Ford Mondeo IV - My tracking woes - Bellboy
fair enough im not into mondeos but your bill is still significant for what is an easy job so i reitterate go back to the first lot and cause a stinky
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New Sat 12 Feb 11 15:41 
 Ford Mondeo IV - My tracking woes - SteelSpark
My 2009 Mondeo is due for its 2 year service soon. Will they do the tracking as part of that? I'm guessing not.
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New Sat 12 Feb 11 15:56 
 Ford Mondeo IV - My tracking woes - Bigtee
No you will have to pay for the Tracking doing.
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New Sat 12 Feb 11 16:17 
 Ford Mondeo IV - My tracking woes - L'escargot
>> My 2009 Mondeo is due for its 2 year service soon. Will they do the
>> tracking as part of that?

Read your Warranty and Service Guide.

>> I'm guessing not.

I think you guess right. If you want it doing then specifically request it.

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New Sat 12 Feb 11 16:33 
 Ford Mondeo IV - My tracking woes - jc2
No point in paying out unless you have uneven tyre wear.
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New Sat 12 Feb 11 17:15 
 Ford Mondeo IV - My tracking woes - Bellboy
serviceable item........................sir
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