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Got Alignment Checked

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R2-32

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hi Folks,
Got alignement checked. Front camber is off according wihen compared to the specs but can't be adjusted w/o a kit. I have the spec alingment numbers for the R32 if anyone wants them. I'd post but have not where to host. I'd be happed to e-mail that and pictures of my bumper plugs and Hyperground Kit to any one with space.
 
#4 ·
Re: Got Alignment Checked (R2-32)

Quote, originally posted by R2-32 »
Hi Folks,
Got alignement checked. Front camber is off according wihen compared to the specs but can't be adjusted w/o a kit. I have the spec alingment numbers for the R32 if anyone wants them. I'd post but have not where to host. I'd be happed to e-mail that and pictures of my bumper plugs and Hyperground Kit to any one with space.

Am I missing something? You got an alignment done, but is this on a stock suspension or is it after a replacement with something else? If you got a different setup, please let us know what that is.
 
#5 ·
Re: Got Alignment Checked (R2-32)

I'm planning to get the HPA Handling kit. I'd like to have those specs please.
dnts4@yahoo.com
Thanks!
 
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Discussion starter · #6 ·
Re: Got Alignment Checked (Austrian Beauty)

I'll send everything to everyone who gives me an e-mail.
What happened was I hit a potholl
Image
and bent a rim. So I took it to my tire guy and said might as well balance them all and check the alignment. It took an hour to get someone to send the alignment specs, so save your self some time and get them from me because your non-dealer mechanic may not have them and they're different form previous Golfs.
What the data showed was that my front left is off by 1/10th of a degree and my front right is off by 3/10ths of a degree and there's no way to adjust them short of maybe some kind of kit.
Image
 
#7 ·
Re: Got Alignment Checked (R2-32)

Quote, originally posted by R2-32 »

What the data showed was that my front left is off by 1/10th of a degree and my front right is off by 3/10ths of a degree and there's no way to adjust them short of maybe some kind of kit.
Image

You could hit an equal and opposite pothole... maybe in reverse?!?
J/k, I would love to see a pic of the bumper plugs... am considering same.
-jfost
 
#8 ·
Re: Got Alignment Checked (R2-32)

YO! i got my alignment checked today as well - skipped the dealer entirely and went to a top notch shop (same shop that put a new wheel on the car and did a perfect job without a single scratch).
they couldn't find the specs, so i need to get them from you please!
they tweaked out the alignment a bit anyway, i guess going on their years of experience - maybe i'm crazy, but i actually trust them. anyway, they said my left rear wheel was toed-in just a tad too much, but they weren't able to adjust it out enough. they ended up matching the right and the car does track correctly now and the steering wheel is dead center. they said they were going to try and get the specs and they'd call me asap to come back if need be for more fine-tuning.
 
#9 ·
Re: Got Alignment Checked (amgvw)

As far as I know front camber is fixed on a MK IV. I can't imagine what type of "kit" would allow adjustment of front camber for our cars. Short of adjustable strut mount camber plates or something, but I think that would be a bit over the top for a street driven car.
 
#11 ·
Re: Got Alignment Checked (R2-32)

Indeed, the front camber specification on Mk IVs is a "checking" spec only... no individual adjustments (or guesswork) are possible.
When present, variations in left and right camber must be "equalized" from side to side by loosening the subframe bolts and repositioning the subframe to account for the difference. The factory RM - VESIS covers this procedure in detail. There is no "kit" that accomplishes this.
While it always takes time for aftermarket or third party alignment machine software to be updated with specs and procedures for new models, I'm surprized this shop's machine/software contained no references on to how to equalize the camber as described above. MkIVs have been on the market since 1999... I guess its a matter of "buyer beware".
All VW Dealers must have (as a minimum requirement) either the VAG 1944BG (Hunter), VAG 1943 B (John Bean) or VAS 6141 (Beissbarth) or other approved alignment equipment (in the case of multi-franchise operations). Had the alignment been checked at a VW Dealer by trained personnel, this would not have been an issue.
J.


Modified by TechEd at 9:44 AM 5-12-2004
 
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Discussion starter · #14 ·
Re: Got Alignment Checked (R2-32)

No luck at the dealer. They said that equalizing the non-spec negative camber on the front wheels would take "3-4 hours" and "would probably not be covered by warranty."
Techs loved the car. If it were up to them, I bet they would have fixed. But management's idea of customer service is setting all the tire pressures to 38 psi and topping off the windshield wiper fluid.
 
Discussion starter · #16 ·
Re: Got Alignment Checked (Daemon42)

Quote, originally posted by Daemon42 »
This isn't exactly rocket science.

I hear ya. That's why I was nonplused by the dealer's passive aggressive refusal to speed 30 minutes on their machine and just do it.
Of course my wheel/tire guys can do it and will on Tues. But I took it to the dealer because (a) I had to go anyway and (b) I think non-spec asymetric camber should be something covered by warranty and they should equalize it.
I know it's just a few 10ths of a degree here and there. What can I say...it bugs me and will ever so slightly affect performance. I imagine it would bug you, too. After all, we all have a mental picture of you kneeling by the rear of your car listening to the pumps while it idles.
Image
 
#17 ·
Re: Got Alignment Checked (R2-32)

Well, you did hit a pothole and damage a rim ...so warranty is not an issue anyway.
Is the Dealer's estimate for the alignment more than your insurance deductable? If it is, call your insurance rep for advice.
J.
 
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Discussion starter · #18 ·
Re: Got Alignment Checked (TechEd)

Quote, originally posted by TechEd »
Well, you did hit a pothole and damage a rim ...so warranty is not an issue anyway

These were separate discussions.
Anyway I've been telling the dealer it was out of alignment for several weeks. They drove it 100 yards and said it "didn't pull either way" and, therefore, "Drives Awesome."
 
#19 ·
Re: Got Alignment Checked (R2-32)

Correct me if i'm wrong (Ian ?), the R32 has the same suspension as my TT. meaning the front control arms are different than the rest of the MKIV line. if they are, you have adjustable camber in the front. if your control arm is cast steel instead of the typical stamped steel, it's the camber adjustable stuff. you need NO kit if this is the case. if any knuckle head can't figure out your rear toe, it's adjusted at the front of the rear independant beams.
 
#20 ·
Re: Got Alignment Checked (M this 1!)

Quote, originally posted by M this 1! »
Correct me if i'm wrong (Ian ?), the R32 has the same suspension as my TT. meaning the front control arms are different than the rest of the MKIV line. if they are, you have adjustable camber in the front. if your control arm is cast steel instead of the typical stamped steel, it's the camber adjustable stuff. you need NO kit if this is the case. if any knuckle head can't figure out your rear toe, it's adjusted at the front of the rear independant beams.

Yes it appears to have TT style spindle and lower control arms. Where exactly is the
camber adjustment though? Even on the TT, the struts just socket into the spindle, so
you can't change the angle between strut and hub. The ball joint might move a little
bit on the LCA but that's not a true camber adjustment as it'll have side effects like
changing your track and such.
ian
 
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