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[MarkG]

I recently had my front wheel alignment done but now my steering wheel is not quite in the straight ahead position when I'm driving straight. So I thought I would adjust left and right track rods by exactly the same amount to bring the steering wheel back to centre. This is what the setup on one side looks like.

 

There is a ball joint and rod at each end and a sleeve in the middle. If I slacken each of the two bolts so that I can turn the sleeve, surely all that will happen is the sleeve will unscrew from one ball joint rod and onto the other ball joint rod with a net result of no change to wheel alignment. What am I missing? Just how is it supposed to adjust please?

[Andy B]

.....

There is a ball joint and rod at each end and a sleeve in the middle. If I slacken each of the two bolts so that I can turn the sleeve, surely all that will happen is the sleeve will unscrew from one ball joint rod and onto the other ball joint rod with a net result of no change to wheel alignment. What am I missing? Just how is it supposed to adjust please?

one side is a standard right hand thread, t'other side is a left hand thread     

but I wouldn't do what you're suggesting, the theory is right, but in reality you need to take it back to get them to re-do it. 

[VXL V6]

Looking at your location I would suggest taking it to Nigel Lang's 

[chrisgixer]

Who did the work?

Did they adjust the rear track rods? Because if the front is set correctly, then it will be the rear that's driving out sideways, which the driver then has to correct with the steering. Rear thrust angle needs to be correct. Ie straight ahead. If its not, effectively you have a crabbing car, and ..... An off centre steering wheel.

And as Andy says, it rarely works that way. It needs measuring. Accurately.

[chrisgixer]

Hold up, front wheel alignment...? Tracking?


That's not a complete set of adjustments for the omega if so. Waste of time. Omega needs full geometric set up.

[05omegav6]

As above

Get your money back and pay someone who knows what's what to set it up properly...

ie front and rear camber and toe. Front tracking is a total waste of time/money/tyres, as many have found to their cost, myself included

[jonny2112]

As above

Get your money back and pay someone who knows what's what to set it up properly...

ie front and rear camber and toe. Front tracking is a total waste of time/money/tyres, as many have found to their cost, myself included

We've all been there 
I think the problem sometimes is that the garage (or wherever) don't listen to you. I've had mine done locally three times, and although it got a little better each time, it's still not right 
No matter how many times I say all four corners need done, I'm told otherwise.
I'm now looking for another option 

[peter the butcher]

As above

Get your money back and pay someone who knows what's what to set it up properly...

ie front and rear camber and toe. Front tracking is a total waste of time/money/tyres, as many have found to their cost, myself included

We've all been there 
I think the problem sometimes is that the garage (or wherever) don't listen to you. I've had mine done locally three times, and although it got a little better each time, it's still not right 
No matter how many times I say all four corners need done, I'm told otherwise.
I'm now looking for another option 

why does it seem that the so called "pro's" give the wrong advice, is it not known in car geometry circles, ie, every company in the UK, that does it, Omegas NEED all 4 wheels set up, or is it just common practice just to do the fronts, do they just ignore their customers, or do they think they know best. It really pisses me off that they SHOULD know, but just seem to ignore anyone elses view. 

Peter (mr angry)

[chrisgixer]

Clearly neither the customer nor the tracking expert know the cars is adjustable for caster, camber and toe at the front, and camber/toe combined at the rear.

Tracking being the base setting all cars have. Not all are adjustable for the other settings. (Some though, should be, and modifications are available for those)

[TheBoy]

I would hazard a guess that most tyre fitters do not understand geometry, even those that have the kit, and live in the belief that if the tracking is right, the car must be.

Given OPs location, Nigel Langs.

[peter the butcher]

well look to be well breaked, up here in North Yorkshire, as there are plenty of "tyre fitters" in Leeds, Bradford, Harrogate. I need mine doing when having 4 new tyres put on next month, so  got a lot of looking and question asking then 
Peter

[slowboy]

best of luck