The Explanation of the Toe Angle

The term tracking incorporates camber, caster and toe. Toe and camber (by the adjustment of ride height) are the only two components of tracking that can be adjusted on the MGF.

The toe angle is the angle between the long axis of the car, and the long axis of the of the individual wheel.

Toe in is where the front of the wheel is angled towards the centre of the car.

Toe out is where the front of the wheel is angled away from the centre of the vehicle.

 Figure 1. As set up as standard, the MGF has toe out at the front, and toe in at the rear

Toe in [at the rear axle on the MGF] provides directional stability- this provides a highly desirable trait, insofar as the car becomes less influenced by side winds, buffeting or other factors that may tend to through the car off track on fast roads.

Toe out [at the front axle on the MGF] provides the steering with improved feel. This is often varied by motor sports experts to increase steering response. Unfortunately, increasing the toe angle increases frictional loads upon the tyre, there by increasing the rate of wear...

Incorrectly set toe angles in combination with an abnormal camber angle will dramatically increase rates of tyre wear- this, in large part, is the root cause of the infamous tracking problem!