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Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: leeverdon on 27 June 2012, 10:19

Title: R Reg Golf GTI - Misalignment Problem
Post by: leeverdon on 27 June 2012, 10:19
Hi all,

I was delivered some bad news by my mechanic yesterday. The diagnosis is that there is slight damage where the suspension is out of alignment. It appears that the near side strut and hub chassy is distorted causing severe camber misalignment. Tracking is also out of alignment and there is a tap on the curb. Unfortunately there is no certain quick solution as fixing one thing may not resolve anything, a process of elimination situation really.

I love this car and I've had her for 8 years so am reluctant to get rid of her. If anyone has any ideas on how to best fix this problem please give me a shout.

Much appreciated!

Lee
Title: Re: R Reg Golf GTI - Advice Please
Post by: thai-wronghorse on 27 June 2012, 10:22
What exactly is bent, components or chassis? If its the chassis then its fooked without a proper bodyshop jig set up and will be costly.
Title: Re: R Reg Golf GTI - Advice Please
Post by: leeverdon on 27 June 2012, 10:24
That's exactly it, the mechanic is not sure what will fix the misalignment. It's difficult for him to see what is causing the issue but it could be a number of things.
Title: Re: R Reg Golf GTI - Advice Please
Post by: tweed on 27 June 2012, 11:07
First thing I would do is measure the rear beam. Measure from centre to left arm and centre to right arm etc. If that's ok then it's likely  to be a stub!

Hold up... Front or back?
Title: Re: R Reg Golf GTI - Advice Please
Post by: leeverdon on 27 June 2012, 11:11
Front.
Title: Re: R Reg Golf GTI - Advice Please
Post by: tweed on 27 June 2012, 12:30
Then my bet is a bent lower arm!
Title: Re: R Reg Golf GTI - Advice Please
Post by: stainesy on 27 June 2012, 12:37
how would the chassis be bent if you have not been in a big smash did you say you tapped the kurb? doubt very much you have bent your chassis mate
Title: Re: R Reg Golf GTI - Advice Please
Post by: dragongreengolfgti on 27 June 2012, 13:15
what tweed has said or you have infact moved the strut where it mounts to the hub assembly if you hit it hard  :sad:
Title: Re: R Reg Golf GTI - Advice Please
Post by: leeverdon on 27 June 2012, 15:37
I'm thinking this was caused by a minor collision that happened during the snow a few month back. I was driving down a slight gradient in the road and the car started to slide forward. I had no control and was heading straight for the road edge. I decided to pull my steering wheel left to avoid my tyres bursting and hit the curb with my allow wheel at an angle. This could be a possible cause for the misalignment.

The problem is that if I fix a potential part it may not correct the misalignment. I could end up spending a lot of money to fix these 'trial and error' scenarios. I was hoping someone experienced a similar situation (without injury of course) and knew what to fix.



Title: Re: R Reg Golf GTI - Misalignment Problem
Post by: Dogbot on 27 June 2012, 16:40
My money is on the wishbone......  :cool:
Title: Re: R Reg Golf GTI - Misalignment Problem
Post by: tweed on 27 June 2012, 16:49
I'm even more certain it's just lower arm.


Been there and done it but was more of a rally drive in the snow. I was in control but thought the road was wider than what it was  :grin: 
Title: Re: R Reg Golf GTI - Misalignment Problem
Post by: Wayne on 27 June 2012, 23:54
The wishbone will bend really easy
Title: Re: R Reg Golf GTI - Misalignment Problem
Post by: thai-wronghorse on 28 June 2012, 10:07
I'd have thought they were designed to absorb energy and crumple before the chassis.
Title: Re: R Reg Golf GTI - Misalignment Problem
Post by: abc2012 on 28 June 2012, 23:09
My one has done this in the snow and I have a bent driveshaft as a result, which has ruined the wheel bearing.