Does anyone use a diy technique for adjusting their tracking of the front wheels that works? I have looked at the available tools and kits on Amazon & eBay etc but would prefer to follow a tried and trusted method. There must be a simple way of aligning wheels that doesn't involve visiting garages and dealers and handing over some hard earned; My local garages are charging the cost equivalent of a new tyre +... There has to be an easy way to uncouple the tracking rod lock nuts and accurately adjust either until the correct tracking is met then tightening up? Anyone?

You can do adjustments with using string, wood, floor markings or there use to be a plate(s) you pushed the front tyres over (forget what it is/was called but that worked as do the other methods.  My eyes were never good enough and too much farting about on a car for me but great joy to others.  How much more farting about a Fabia is I've no idea, far too much for me, and beyond me anyway.

 

There will be loads of videos on the basic methods, undoing the track rod nuts I'd not imagine (don't know) on a Fabia wouldn't be different. HatBoyHarvey seems to do good videos of DIY on Fabias so you could have a look and see if he's done one, or there's a John Twist of University Motors doing this on a MGB or MGA IIRC.

 

https://www.youtube.com/@HatBoyHarvey/videos

 

HTH a little.

 

Go somewhere that does a free tracking check, tell them you're skint til Friday. Go home, give it a tweak in the right direction, go somewhere else that does a free tracking check......

 

Doing it with a bit of string at home works, if you've got a dead level surface to park the car on. 

Edited 20 July, 20241 yr by StevesTruck

ETA: if you just want front wheel alignment you don't have to have the full computerised 4-wheel alignment checks that cost far too much and little if any adjustments can be made to a lot of what it shows on mass-market road cars, look for a place that uses the old laser light plates just for the front wheels as that's well below the cost of a tyre (even the crap tyres) to do toe-in/out and they can look at/for any other issues if there are any, usually something worn unless you've been crashing kerbs or potholes.

 

Edited 20 July, 20241 yr by nta16

I have used the string method in the past but on the Fabia the front mudflap sticks out further than the rim of the front wheel so I can't get the string to accurately 'line up' the rear wheels with the front wheels. There are videos on youtube & I've watched a few of them but as yet I'm still looking for the ideal diy set up. It's not rocket science and I'll figure it out soon enough; just hoping someone on here might have done theirs & could share their technique...

You can do DIY but just keep an eye on the tyres. If it's wearing the inner then screw the rack out of the tie rod and vice versa 

Have a look at this for a general idea, bear in mind the car is RWD and the (15.5", 394 mm) steering wheel is easy to remove and position and the only airbags in the car are your lungs. -

 

 

String method with outset wire wheels. -

 

 

I have had a trackace http://www.trackace.co.uk/ for many years.

It is relatively easy to use however all of my cars that I checked have been within tolerance so I have not had to do any adjustments.

@Element7, do you think something needs adjusting? If so, what makes you think that?