Tracking aligned, steering wheel not straight?!

vagfam1

Active Member
Apr 23, 2008
48
0
Hey guys, I got my tyres changed a few weeks ago on my tdi sport and got my tracking aligned at the same time. Before the alignment the steering wheel was straight but the car pulled to the left very slightly which I hear Is quite common with the Ibizas. But now after the alignment the steering wheel needs to held 15-20 degrees to the left before the car will drive straight?

I've been back to the garage several times to get it sorted but still no luck?

What do u think I should do?

Cheers matt
 

DEAN0

Old Git
Feb 1, 2006
5,288
300
Preston - UK
Hey guys, I got my tyres changed a few weeks ago on my tdi sport and got my tracking aligned at the same time. Before the alignment the steering wheel was straight but the car pulled to the left very slightly which I hear Is quite common with the Ibizas. But now after the alignment the steering wheel needs to held 15-20 degrees to the left before the car will drive straight?

I've been back to the garage several times to get it sorted but still no luck?

What do u think I should do?

Cheers matt

Take it back - it's not been done correctly.

Two possible reasons :
1. They did not use 4 wheel tracking so front is not true to rear.
2. They have tried to save time and done the adjustment on one side only.
 

myneek

Active Member
Oct 13, 2009
100
0
Winchester, UK
Mine is exactly the same, was going to got and get the tracking done tomorrow (not done since i got the car in october).

So you reckon a 4 wheel tracking is required? I thought that was done as standard?
 

vagfam1

Active Member
Apr 23, 2008
48
0
Take it back - it's not been done correctly.

Two possible reasons :
1. They did not use 4 wheel tracking so front is not true to rear.
2. They have tried to save time and done the adjustment on one side only.

I was there when they did it, wen I took it back the second time I made sure I stayed with the guy and made sure that did a 4 wheel alignment and they did both sides, I also made sure they did the alignment for seat Ibiza sport?

I think il take it back tomoro with all the alignment notes I've got
 

vagfam1

Active Member
Apr 23, 2008
48
0
I had this done, The tool they used to hold your steering wheel in a straight line whilst they adjust is probably slipping!

Yh mate that's what I thought but I made sure I kept an eye on everything wen I went last time
 

dmcar02

Active Member
Apr 9, 2009
25
0
I don't suppose it could be the front bushes?

From what I'm told they wear quite fast. I was also told the car will pull if they're worn.

Just a thought.
 

Cal91

1.4 Powerrr
Kwik-Fit love doing this! Wonder if you went there?

So far they have done it to my mums Saab, my mums 206 and my sisters C2. We have to take them back every bloody time! We always get "Come back next week, it needs to settle". I would not be driving a car that has steering that 'needs to settle' :blink:.

Its because they get lazy and only track one wheel instead of doing both. That means the steering wheel gets knocked out of alignment. I also believe it means you can turn the wheel further to the right than the left?

Take it back and get it sorted.
 

dicky FR

Active Member
Jul 26, 2009
127
0
Ebbw Vale, South Wales
I don't suppose it could be the front bushes?

From what I'm told they wear quite fast. I was also told the car will pull if they're worn.

Just a thought.

this is prob the cause, mine pulls and the bushes seem in good condition and car is only on 18k but the alignment is spot on std bushers are just poor quality.
 

vagfam1

Active Member
Apr 23, 2008
48
0
Well the car has done 87000 miles so I'm guessing it could be the bushes? I've got my service due in the next few weeks, would they replace them in the service? Would SEAT put the cupra bushes in if I asked? This is my first service since owning the car, how much are services from SEAT?

Cheers matt
 

vagfam1

Active Member
Apr 23, 2008
48
0
Oh by the way it wasn't qui kwik fit, it was a local garage which are merityre specialists
 

DEAN0

Old Git
Feb 1, 2006
5,288
300
Preston - UK
Well the car has done 87000 miles so I'm guessing it could be the bushes? I've got my service due in the next few weeks, would they replace them in the service? Would SEAT put the cupra bushes in if I asked? This is my first service since owning the car, how much are services from SEAT?

Cheers matt

Servicing not cheap at SEAT. Unless the book is fully stamped at the mo - i would find a GOOD local garage.

The ODD numbered services are just inspection services 10k, 30k, 50k, 70k 90k etc
The EVEN numbered services are major 20k, 40k, 60k, 80k, 100k

brake fluid every 2 years and belts as required

Bushes are NOT part of the serviceing - factor in about £150 on top of the service for the bushes to be fitted.
 

vagfam1

Active Member
Apr 23, 2008
48
0
Servicing not cheap at SEAT. Unless the book is fully stamped at the mo - i would find a GOOD local garage.

The ODD numbered services are just inspection services 10k, 30k, 50k, 70k 90k etc
The EVEN numbered services are major 20k, 40k, 60k, 80k, 100k

brake fluid every 2 years and belts as required

Bushes are NOT part of the serviceing - factor in about £150 on top of the service for the bushes to be fitted.

Well the car has a full service history and the last service was at 77000, it's had it cambelt changed, so hopefully that makes the service a little easier on the wallet.
If I get it serviced at a good local garage, will they clear the 'INSP' flash-up under the odometer?

Also does anyone know of a good garage for servicing an the south london area?

Cheers matt
 

wenman

Red Ibiza 1.8T
Mar 28, 2009
1,094
1
Cheshunt
Could it be the top mounts?
I'm sure there were some people on here saying they had these replaced under warrenty, due to Seat aligning everything and still getting the pull to either the left or right.
 

vagfam1

Active Member
Apr 23, 2008
48
0
Could it be the top mounts?
I'm sure there were some people on here saying they had these replaced under warrenty, due to Seat aligning everything and still getting the pull to either the left or right.

I had my radiator changed a few months ago and SEAT and they did a health check on the car whilst it was there and I'm sure they check the top mounts in the health check.

There seem to be alot of potential causes of this lol

cheers matt
 

NickyJam

FR - gone, not forgotten
Mar 17, 2008
1,669
0
SW LONDON
basically even with 4-whell alignment and steerin lock the steering still goes out...this is when they adjust one side more than another.

seat will re-align the steering for you for £15-£20 i believe
 

vagfam1

Active Member
Apr 23, 2008
48
0
basically even with 4-whell alignment and steerin lock the steering still goes out...this is when they adjust one side more than another.

seat will re-align the steering for you for £15-£20 i believe

What I think I'm gonna do is take my car back to the garage one last time tomoro with all the alignment notes including the original before the alignment and if they can't sort it then I think I'm gonna take it to SEAT.
Cheers for all the advice guys
Matt
 
Adrian Flux insurance services - discount for forum members.