Wheel Alignment Query

[malagabob]

My car has been suffering from a drumming noise at high speeds. As it’s due in a few months for a MOTI had it checked. The fitter said the drumming was due to a NSR wheel out of alignment and to get the tracking done. I have always thought the rear wheels of most cars are fixed ridged to the rear axle, and there’s no adjustment. Tracking is only done on front wheels where there is adjustment, tie rods ect. How does tracking adjust the rear wheels. TIA

[douglas9401]

I'd go for a second opinion elsewhere.

[bhg481]

I must say it makes me wonder how the rear track can be adjusted but it seems common practice nowadays to have a "four-wheel alignment check", so adjustment must be possible. Most cars nowadays have all-round independent suspension, so that does allow more movement than the old solid rear axle cars had.
Lots of garages do free checks on the gounds that they get th business if the track does need adjusting 0 it might be worth seeking one out.

[bhg481]

If you can do it yourself, consider moving some wheels around to see what happens to the noise. Even replacing the NSR with the spare would be interesting as it could just be that that tyre is noisy, perhaps not properly round or in need of balancing. Are all the tyres the same make and how old/worn are they?

[malagabob]

The tyres on the rear were all the same make bhg. Anyway took the car to the recommended garage, and asked the question. Apparently my cars rear wheels can be adjusted/alignment whilst doing the front. The equipment the fitter told me retails at £30,000. I was given a printout showing the values of toein/out ect before adjustment and after. Thank for all your inputs.

[bhg481]

Fingers crossed that it's fixed the noise then.