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Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: kniterider on 11 September 2006, 20:56

Title: suspension/steering alignment??
Post by: kniterider on 11 September 2006, 20:56
right i know some where on here (and im fooked if i can find it) was a 'how to' run through of how to set up the camber/castor or what ever its called on the mk3 golfs...... i have been wondering why the vr6 seems to go round corners better one way than the other, and when i was pressure washing it the other day i found out why... the passenger front wheel is 'in' at the top and 'out' and the bottom if you get my drift... only a bit but looks like its on the lean in.. the drivers side how ever is 'in ' at the bottom and 'out' a tad at the top.... i know these have to be set right and the guide on here was good.... so if any one has any ideas how to set up id be much gratefull... will get the tracking done once ive sorted this.... looks like some numptie has has one or both sides off at some time and didnt have a clue that there is adjustment on the bolts that hold your strut to the hub carrier..... :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
Title: Re: suspension/steering alignment??
Post by: carl on 11 September 2006, 22:12
sorry mate but to do it right i would go to a good garage as you will never get it right if you guess and your tyres will be gone very quickly if you did,i went to kwikfit (as i coudnt find anywhere else )they have a lazer alignment machine they charged me £60 and you get a print out of what your wheels were and what they are after.
Title: Re: suspension/steering alignment??
Post by: kniterider on 12 September 2006, 08:48
no need to be sorry.... i know what im doing when it comes to cars..... eerrr ive had over 200 and have worked on most of them my self (including suspension/coil overs etc etc....), the set up of the castor/camber is easy with the correct measure ments (which is what i was looking for, not to be told to take my car to a kwik muppet branch... :grin: ), it also says that i was going to have the tracking done once i had done this......

thanks for your help.........
Title: Re: suspension/steering alignment??
Post by: rubjonny on 12 September 2006, 11:31
-2 on the front works well on a MK2.  My mate who used to have a VR just put it as far as he could both sides with no problems!
Title: Re: suspension/steering alignment??
Post by: monkeyalan on 12 September 2006, 12:30
mk3 gti is

camber   -40'  +/- 20'

castor    3 degrees 25'  +/- 30'
Title: Re: suspension/steering alignment??
Post by: AudiA8Quattro on 12 September 2006, 13:09
Castor is non adjustable.
Title: Re: suspension/steering alignment??
Post by: kniterider on 12 September 2006, 19:15
thanks to help from the above member :wink: i decided to hav a bash as his method of sorting things out,  and now she corners like shes on rails.... well as much on rails as a lowered mk3 vr6 can do... not only going round right handers but left handers too.... am taking it to get the tracking done tomorrow on my lunch break, at least now it sits ven and dosnt look like its tw@tted a kerb or something and knocked the wheel out...

 :smiley:

cheers bud
Title: Re: suspension/steering alignment??
Post by: R32_T on 12 September 2006, 20:37
Hello,

i have sort of the same problem on my VR6, the only thing is that the passenger side front wheel is out at the top and in at the bottom, handles like sh!t. The drivers side looks normal, in a bit at the top. I've just had the passenger side hub, bearing and bottom ball joints (both sides) replaced.

The problem only started after i had the work done. It pulls quite a bit to the left when you let go of the steering and handles like cr@p. I've took it back and they said theres no adjustment and theres nothing they can do, they said it might be your suspension leg thats bent??? :cry:

Took it to a few places and they said that theres no camber adjustment!!!  :shocked:

WHAT CAN I DO??? Im not mechanically minded so wouldnt know where to start even if i wanted to tempt it myself....Please help
Title: Re: suspension/steering alignment??
Post by: kniterider on 13 September 2006, 05:22
the places you took it too dont know what there on about!! there is camber adjustment!!, the two 18mm headed bolts that connect the suspension strut to the hub carrier if you loosen these you can adjust your camber, not as complicated as it sounds, mine now looks even and goes round corners ok!!

 :smiley:
Title: Re: suspension/steering alignment??
Post by: rubjonny on 13 September 2006, 08:07
Check this pic out, the nut & bolt labled 13 & 14 are what kniterider is on about.  Loosen em both, pull the bottom out towards you and shove the top inwards to set it to max camber.
If that doesn't help you can get camber adjustment bolts which give you more camber adjustment funily enough :grin:

The pic shows the MK2 setup which isn't exactly the same on a MK3 but very similar:
(http://www.moddin.net/images/temp/golf/frontsusp.jpg)
Title: Re: suspension/steering alignment??
Post by: R32_T on 13 September 2006, 13:27
Cheers for all your advice people, i'll get this done
Title: Re: suspension/steering alignment??
Post by: rubjonny on 13 September 2006, 13:58
PS it is a MK3 and not a MK4 like your sig?
Title: Re: suspension/steering alignment??
Post by: R32_T on 13 September 2006, 21:13
Yes it is a Mk3 VR6.  :wink:

I have both  :grin:
Title: Re: suspension/steering alignment??
Post by: R32_T on 22 September 2006, 18:01
Oh yeah and just to let you know, i have got this done and now my car drives straight as!!!!

I went to a place here in Leicester where i live, called Tyres Galore. They have the proper machine with lazers and stuff to measure to the last mm and they give you a very nice colourful print out before and after.

Funny thing is that they didnt know what to adjust until i told them  :laugh:

Thanks for all your advice.  :wink:
Title: Re: suspension/steering alignment??
Post by: rubjonny on 23 September 2006, 08:45
 :cool: