Wheel tracking question

Welsh_and_proud

I took my car to have my front tyres replaced and the tracking done but once the boy fitted the tyres on the car he said he couldn't do the tracking as the rubber on the wishbone had gone but I don't know why he didn't show me it was gone. So when I left the garage I checked under the car and the rubber looked fine so I took it to another garage and they tracked the car but they didn't mention the bottom arm so now I don't know if it's faulty.
When they do the tracking why was the car left running as I've never seen this before. 

AdrianC

So the place that fitted your tyres tried to upsell you suspension parts, and nowhere else seems to think there's an issue...

Hmm. How... unusual. That's never, ever, happened in the history of fitters that you can't get better than. No, never. Honest.

Leaving the car running for the tracking doesn't make a big difference, except that it keeps power steering going.

Welsh_and_proud

AdrianC said:

So the place that fitted your tyres tried to upsell you suspension parts, and nowhere else seems to think there's an issue...

They didn't try and sell me anything.

AdrianC

So he would have been quite happy for you to drive away without the tracking being checked, and without even trying to get you to replace the allegedly knackered suspension bushes...?

Mutton_Geoff

Welsh_and_proud said:

I took my car to have my front tyres replaced and the tracking done but once the boy fitted the tyres on the car he said he couldn't do the tracking as the rubber on the wishbone had gone but I don't know why he didn't show me it was gone. So when I left the garage I checked under the car and the rubber looked fine so I took it to another garage and they tracked the car but they didn't mention the bottom arm so now I don't know if it's faulty.
When they do the tracking why was the car left running as I've never seen this before. 

I've worked on my own cars for years and have to admit worn bushes are very hard to detect just by looking. I doubt you could spot a worn one with the weight of the car on the wheels. Ideally you need the car up on a lift and be able to safely pull hard on the wheels to find play.

How old is the car? The near side bushes often go first due to manhole covers etc on the left side of the road.

EdGasketTheSecond

Why did you want the tracking done in the first place?

Welsh_and_proud

EdGasketTheSecond said:

Why did you want the tracking done in the first place?

It should of been done two years ago when I replaced both bottom arms but as I replaced the track rod end and had new tyres I thought I should get it done.

Welsh_and_proud

AdrianC said:

So he would have been quite happy for you to drive away without the tracking being checked, and without even trying to get you to replace the allegedly knackered suspension bushes...?

I asked him if he could still do the tracking and he said it would be dangerous.