Reply With Quotethanks Erich
Super Moderator
I got this info from a German online seller which supplies mainly to oldtimer owners.
Mit dem Trakrite können Sie sehr einfach die Spureinstellung Ihres Fahrzeugs überprüfen. Das Funktionsprinzip ist so einfach wie genial: Sie legen das Meßbett vor ein Vorderrad und fahren langsam darüber (Achten Sie darauf, daß sich die Platte frei bewegen kann und nicht auf Steinchen etc. Aufliegt). Je nach Einstellung der Spur verschiebt sich die Meßplatte und man kann die Einstellung am Zeiger ablesen. Gegebenenfalls wird dir Spureinstellung dann entsprechend korrigiert und nochmal überprüft. (Getestet wurde Trakrite in Oldtimer-Markt 11/97 - Urteil: nur geringe, unbedeutende Meßtoleranz gegenüber einem teuren professionellem Spurmeßgerät mit Meßuhr !)
Oldtimer-Markt 11/97 :
You have to/can buy it on German Ebay
http://cgi.ebay.de/Oldtimer-Markt-11...QQcmdZViewItem
2 Grand Master
thanks Erich
3 Grand Master
With the Trakrite you can examine very simply the adjusting tread width of your vehicle. The operational principle is as simple as ingenious: They put the measuring bed to drive before a front wheel and slowly over it (you make sure that the plate can move freely and not on Steinchen etc.. Rests upon). Depending upon attitude of the trace the surface plate and one shift can the attitude from the pointer read off. If necessary you adjusting tread width is then corrected accordingly and examined again. (Trakrite in old timer market 11/97 - judgement was tested: only small, insignificant measuring tolerance opposite an expensive professional toe in device with dial gauge!)Originally Posted by shogun
Gone but not forgotten
Big, Big Time Poster
u can't beat a piece of string tied round all 4 wheels
Major Contributor
I had the wheel shimmy and clunking so I replaced the upper and lower arms and bushes and sway bar links but shimmy was still there. Thought maybe geometry was put out so replaced the tie rods and got the car 4 wheel laser aligned, shimmy is still there, car is now jittery and not so surefooted like the wheels are going in different directions and the wheel sometimes seems off-centre - it seems that this 540i is either cursed or a bitch to work on as everytime I have taken it to a garage to get some work done, they screw something up (different garage each time) so I suppose the tracking should be no different. If this device works and it means one less trip to the garage then its well worth it! It cost me £50 for the 4 wheel laser alignment which is roughly the same as the purchase price for this thing!
UK 1997 e34 540iA Touring, 1989 535i Sport - now sold, 1998 Mercedes CLK 200 Coupe
Super Moderator
so far I have only done the front, and that is really easy.
On another board someone answered:
"It's a toe gauge. Pretty much as accurate as a $30,000 alignment machine as far as toe is concerned. Works on the front and rear. Excellent tool to have if you're replacing tie rods or thrust rod bushings in the front. Useless if replacing rear suspension components."
2 Grand Master
well, only the toe is adjustable on our cars
Major Contributor
Ha ha i did mine with a long length of wood last week and it was spot on!
Cheers,
Shaun M
Super Moderator
Kris,
here is one again, they ship worldwide from U.K.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Trakrite-Wheel-A...sid=p1638.m122
Super Moderator
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