WHEEL ALIGNMENT GAUGE TRACKING 4 CARS VANS GUNSON G4008

Trakrite is used to make a quick and easy check of a vehicle's wheel alignment (toe-out or toe-in).

It facilitates the correct setting of adjustable wheels.

Trakrite has a top plate which is mounted on rollers so that it is free to move sideways. As the wheel

is driven over, any misalignment causes the plate to be pushed sideways. An internal linkage mechanism

and pointer indicates on a scale the total movement of the plate, and hence the amount of

misalignment. After use, the pointer is re-set to the central position by the user.

The Trakrite scale is calibrated to show the ERROR in degrees toe-in or toe-out.

then the wheels are correctly aligned and require no adjustment.

Test Trakrite for freedom of movement of the top plate. To do this place Trakrite on a flat surface

and ensure that the top plate moves freely from side to side.

Carry out the wheel alignment tests on flat and level ground, preferably a clean concrete or smooth

flat asphalt surface.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE

• Position the vehicle facing straight ahead and with

the steering straight ahead too.

• Ensure that the steering is straight by driving

forward and back a couple of times, and checking

that the vehicle steers neither to the left nor to the right.

• Gently rock the vehicle up and down to settle

the suspension.

• Remove hands from steering wheel, and carefully

and slowly drive forward for 2 or 3 meters

so that any backlash in the vehicles steering

and suspension joints is taken up.

• Stop the vehicle using as little braking as possible. Do not allow to roll back.

• Place Trakrite on the ground in front of either one of the vehicle's

front wheels with the dial facing outwards.

• Set the pointer of Trakrite to zero.

• Slowly drive the vehicle over Trakrite, while touching neither the brakes nor the steering wheel.

• Drive slowly, steadily and positively until the wheel completely clears Trakrite

• Stop.

Note the amount of misalignment from the position of the pointer on the scale.

Repeat the test using the other front (or adjustable back) wheel to confirm the result obtained,

remembering to zero the pointer before the test.

A consistent reading in the red band clearly indicates unsatisfactory wheel alignment.

NOTES

If the pointer consistently moves to the "RED" area of the dial, then adjustment of the track rods is

necessary. This applies to all vehicles regardless of type of tyre fitted, or whether any modification

has been made to the suspension. More than one adjustment may be necessary to

establish a zero reading.

If the reading from one front wheel consistently differs with the reading from the other front wheel,

the possible causes are:

• Tests carried out on non-level floor.

• Unequal tyre pressures.

• Unequal tyre wear or tread patterns.

• Worn steering joints.

• Rear wheel/axle misalignment.

If inconsistent readings are obtained on the same wheel, the possible causes are:

• Uneven floor

• Steering wheel moved during test.

• Jerky forward speed.

• Not enough forward travel before meeting Trakrite.

• Not "settling" the suspension before the tests.

• Allowing the vehicle to roll back during the test.

• Excessive wear in steering and wheel components.

• Excessive and uneven tyre wear.

CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS

Trakrite may become contaminated with dirt, which may penetrate beneath the top plate,

and result in reduced freedom of the top plate to move from side to side.

It then needs dismantling and cleaning.

Dismantling Trakrite requires no tools, and is easily accomplished as follows.

Gently bend the whole product into a slight curved shape by pressing down on the two ramps

(one on either side of the product), while supporting the product in the centre beneath and

bending it in this way, slide the top plate towards the pointer.

At the correct degree of "bend", the top plate will slide right out.

With the top plate removed, the "fret" framework will be seen, in which are narrow

cavities containing nylon rollers. Remove all the rollers, and wash the

whole product: rollers, fret, pointer, top plate, and baseplate, in warm soapy water.

Carefully dry each component and examine for wear.

Particularly examine the rollers for signs of damage and "flats".

Spare parts are available from The Tool Connection

Re-assemble with the pointer positioned pointing to the extreme right, before slightly

bending the product to allow the top plate to be moved back into place