Camber and Tracking question

[richy]

Got some -30mm Eibach springs fitted last week by an Audi-Volkswagen specialist, and I asked them if the tracking/camber would be OK.  

They said that the camber and tracking was "within tolerances" and that they obviously didn't have figures for a lowered car.

Now, I'm not sure how the tracking and camber figures are measured, but since the car now sits much lower to the ground I would think that the tracking would be too much 'toe-out' and the camber would be such that the tops of the wheels are too far 'in'.  Am I correct? Where is the tracking and camber measured from? Who should I go to to check this out? (a normal tyre place would probably only have standard golf figures too)

The car drives fine (handles beautifully now!) and there is no visible problem with camber/tracking.  I just wanted to check so that I don't wear my new tyres out prematurely and unevenly due to dodgy settings!

Cheers,
Rich

[davidhawkins_78]

If you've only lowered it 30mm you should be ok - Yes, the camber on the wheels will have changed. If you really want to get it sorted you need to find someone with pucker laser equipment as this is the only way the camber / tracking can be set properly after a car has been lowered -  it's expensive though, well over ?100 for a session  

Can you visually see any difference in the camber? If yes, then get it sorted or the inner track on your tyres will go up in smoke in weeks - especially if they're a soft compound !

You ever heard of using a washing line and a hook to check you tracking? It's an old trick to visually check your tracking, and rather good .... but if you got the money then go for the laser jobby.

[AdamB]

I've just had my camber, tracking, etc set up after fitting coilovers. I went to VW dealer for a quote and was told ?100 +VAT, which seemed reasonable, but after shopping about I got it done for a few pennies over ?60 (all with laser set up) and got a printout of the before and after set up too. Has made a huge difference to the handling. But also goes to show that shopping about is still worth doing.

[Fielder5757]

When i smashed my golf bad on a curb i had it done, Made a huge difference to the car, Especially as i ripped a wheel off in the crash  

[lowgolf]

I got mine tracked up at budget. Cost me ?18. Not sure about camber. I run as much negative as possibe, so the wheels fit inside the arches  

[richy]

As I said, the place that lowered it also checked the camber and tracking and said that it was OK, but they didn't have figures for lowered golfs, only standard GTIs.  Surely Budget would be the same.

I'm not too worried about improving handling, as it handles beautifully now - Solid as a rock!
.

Adam, where'd you get it done with lasers for ?60?

[richy]

Just spoke to my workmate who has lowered his Seat Leon Cupra, and he said that you can't change the camber on Golf Mk4's.  He said that you could change it on older Golfs but not on the Mk4.

He also mentioned that a 30mm drop like mine wouldn't mean that you'd have to touch the camber/tracking.  

He said the camber wouldn't really have any effect on uneven tyre wear, just handling.  It's the tracking that would really affect tyre-wear.

Is he talking cr@p?

[golfvr6]

I don't know if camber is adjustable on stock kit for mk4s, i would expect you would be able to adjust it on aftermarket kits.
Always check the tracking when any of the front suspension has been removed.
I doubt the settings are any different than that of a standard height car as you have only dropped 30mm.

[richy]

Tracking has been checked.  Everything is OK then.  

[golfvr6]

Look in the haynes manual, that will tell you if front camber is adjustable