Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40
41
|
|
Re: X-Trail Strut Bar
quote:
RockDr wrote:
Has anyone required a wheel alignment after installing the strut bar? (particularly T30 owners..)
Whilst I am loving the effect the strut bar has on the stability, after a few days of driving with it I am noticing a bit of pull and drift, mainly to the left...
You do not need wheel alignment.
Your problem is you probably attached and tightened up the bar while the car was not level. If the car is not on level ground and you tighten up the bar you will be forcing a twist on your car making it not as stable and track straight.
I take the centre piece of the bar off when i go offroad and this occured to me once when i reattached it with the car on a slope.
---
Mat - X-1358 (C)
2003 T30 Series I ST
King Spring Lift, Pedders Shock Absorbers, BFGoodrich 225/70/16, 16" CSA Platinum Edge Rims, Bash Plate, Alutec Strut Bar, UHF CB Radio, HID Fog Lights, Narva 175mm Lights, Nissan Nudge Bar
|
|
14/Oct/2009, 1:25 pm
|
|
|
|
Re: X-Trail Strut Bar
quote:
Mat Mat wrote:
Your problem is you probably attached and tightened up the bar while the car was not level. If the car is not on level ground and you tighten up the bar you will be forcing a twist on your car making it not as stable and track straight.
Interesting.....
In that case I may have some unfinished business with the builder! Installed it while it was parked in my nice (non-sloping, new, level!) garage. Then again the pull isn't major, so perhaps a surface that's even slightly off would reflect? I'll bust out the level when I get home this arvo and check. Thanks.
--- Kristy X-1407 (c)
2002 T30 Ti Manual Titanium Silver
 |
|
14/Oct/2009, 2:32 pm
|
|
|
|
Re: X-Trail Strut Bar
Ok then it must not be that. I was just assuming that is probably the issue.
I thought if you installed it on a flat surface then it would be fine. I don't really see how it would change anything as the car is not moving and the springs would be pushing the strut up against the body meaning it shouldn't move. I am sure though that some cars have the strut bars attached while the car is jacked up so their is minimal tension on the suspensional for the optimal setup. However there are mixed results as many people seem to think there is not enough difference to make it worthwhile installing it this way.
Any other suggestions?
---
Mat - X-1358 (C)
2003 T30 Series I ST
King Spring Lift, Pedders Shock Absorbers, BFGoodrich 225/70/16, 16" CSA Platinum Edge Rims, Bash Plate, Alutec Strut Bar, UHF CB Radio, HID Fog Lights, Narva 175mm Lights, Nissan Nudge Bar
|
|
14/Oct/2009, 3:15 pm
|
|
|
|
Re: X-Trail Strut Bar
Quick update confirming the garage floor is level (the builder is one lucky son-of-a-gun!!!  ). Got out the spirit level and she's bang on.....even popped the bonnet and stuck it on the bar...also level. Thanks Mat for the suggestion to potentially answer my prob, but yep, we assume the answer is still out there....
--- Kristy X-1407 (c)
2002 T30 Ti Manual Titanium Silver
|
|
14/Oct/2009, 4:22 pm
|
|
|
|
Re: X-Trail Strut Bar
OK Kristy, try this ...
Did you have the wheels turned when fitting the strutbar, or did you straighten the steering while the Xtrail was stationary ?
Turning the wheels while not moving usually does not settle the suspension properly so it is best to roll the Xtrail forward & backward a little after straightening the steering before you do anything which requires the suspension to be level.
--- 
Kev X450(c)
2003 Titanium Ti Luxury Series 1 |
|
14/Oct/2009, 4:53 pm
|
|
|
|
Re: X-Trail Strut Bar
Hey Kev,
Yep, the wheels were straight. I drove straight in to the garage and parked as usual - so the car was in motion when I straightened the wheels, then drove forward a few metres after that.
How's about I try just backing the nuts off a bit? I mean I made sure those suckers weren't going anywhere, as per the installation instructions. Is there such a thing as them being simply too tight?
--- Kristy X-1407 (c)
2002 T30 Ti Manual Titanium Silver
|
|
14/Oct/2009, 5:46 pm
|
|
|
|
Re: X-Trail Strut Bar
Hi Kristy,
The strut bar has no impact on your wheel alignment regardless how you fit it (i.e. jacking up the car or on the ground) and regardless of how tight you tighten the strut nuts. The wheel alignment issue could simply be a coincidence and it's not related to the strut bar, so you better have it checked by the tyre shop.
|
|
14/Oct/2009, 5:51 pm
|
|
|
|
Re: X-Trail Strut Bar
Ah well there's the answer! Thanks Jalal.
I guess having not much experience with strut bars I didn't know if the alignment issue was related or not.
--- Kristy X-1407 (c)
2002 T30 Ti Manual Titanium Silver
|
|
14/Oct/2009, 6:45 pm
|
|
|
|
Re: X-Trail Strut Bar
quote:
RockDr wrote:
after a few days of driving with it I am noticing a bit of pull and drift, mainly to the left...
Umm maybe the easiest thing which stands out to me is tyre pressures. Check they are all the same. Maybe I shouldn't even bring this up but its hard to assume what mechanical knowledge members have. It seems however you have a fair bit of know-how Kristy.
There is a test to see if alignment is out using the spirit level or a long straight edge and some chalk to mark out the left and right alignments on the concrete. See if the two lines are parallel in line with the rears. However it is imperative the pressures are the same for all tyres.
---
X-1318 (c)
AkaZulu
2003 Ti-L T30, Polar White
Bling: Chrome factory Nudgebar, Spotties, Sunroof, Bonnet Protector, Towbar, X-Trail Brake Decal, HiTech Full Exhaust System, K&N Air filter, DVD/MP3/GPS/Bluetooth/TV/USB/iPod/Touchscreen TFT
|
|
15/Oct/2009, 11:57 am
|
|
|
|
Re: X-Trail Strut Bar
I do see where you were going with this AkaZulu and thanks for trying to assist.
True, it is difficult to assume how much mechanical knowledge others have and well, being a female, it's probably not natural to automatically assume I know the front bumper from the rear!! I'm no expert, but I know a fair bit given my job takes me to remote places with a 4x4...so if I dunno, there's no one else who does and we all know what creek that leaves me up! 
Anyway, to the topic - I'm very vigilant with my tyre pressures and check them every couple of weeks when I fuel up.
This pull/drift issue did come to my attention after I installed the strut bar, however given the reponses from Jalal, Mat and Kev, I'm thinking that my alignments could've been slightly out previously and with a bit less roll and wallow to the body of the exy now it's just more noticeable than previous. I have noticed that the camber on the roads is a heck of a lot more noticeable now that's for sure!
I've not conducted a self-alignment test previously, but will do so now - thanks!
--- Kristy X-1407 (c)
2002 T30 Ti Manual Titanium Silver
|
|
15/Oct/2009, 2:29 pm
|
|
Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40
41
Link to us
- Blogs
- Hall of Honour
- Chat
|
