Steering Wheel Skew after alignment

[willni]

You have to be very literal with them.  'Set the angle sensor to 0 degrees' and 'centering the wheel' are very different things.  Most garages understand it to mean holding the steering wheel still with a crook lock.

I have a similar issue and I am taking the car in this week. The question is how do you say this to the garage without causing them to get their knickers in a twist about it?!


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As Pudding says, you're going to have to be 'literal' with them; be upfront - talk to the manager, say you're a fussy f*ckr, you want the best man on the job, and it's got to be right - say you've read of more than a few having problems after it being done, so if he doesn't want to do the job correctly, you'd rather know now, so that  you can take your business to someone who actually gives a poo about their work.

If he gets his pants in a twist over it, you will know exactly what kind of after-service you can expect from him , and walk away. 

You get further by being nice , when was the last time you wanted to help out a knob womble?

[willni]

Notch marks line up on mine so it’s defo not the steering wheel not installed properly.
Anyone know how much VW charge for an alignment?

Same with me steering alignment bang on, around £30 for the front two at most places.


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[MIJ_JAGGER]

Notch marks line up on mine so it’s defo not the steering wheel not installed properly.
Anyone know how much VW charge for an alignment?

Same with me steering alignment bang on, around £30 for the front two at most places.


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Thanks, I’ll get VW to do it this time when I give it in for DSG service soon
Ps nice mk6 wheel

[pudding]

It's over £100 from VW for an alignment (4 wheel) but they use the Biessbarth equipment, which is top tier.   Any local places with the Hunter alignment gear is good also.

I would not do just the fronts only as it will never be optimal.

As for instructing garages, you could simply say: VW do it by locking the angle to zero degrees and then adjust the tie rods, and you want it done properly.   But it's not just VW though, all cars with steering angle sensors should have it done that way.   It's not rocket science, and if they get funny about it, find a more accommodating garage.  The trouble is, there are too many lazy barstewardss in the industry who just want the car out of the door as fast as possible.  Don't accept rubbish service.

[99hagued]

This is interesting because I have the same problem and we have a Hunter 4 wheel alignment machine at my work and Iv tracked it about 10 times and still can’t get it straight always off centre to the right a few degrees. And I set the wheel using the angle sensor reading. The only thing I can think of is that Iv had a new steering rack and didn’t get the steering characteristics installed by the dealers. And if I remember correctly mij has had a new rack too because I was helping him code his a while back.

Also Iv got a dead set kit on my subframe so that’s straight.

[pudding]

Just a hunch, but is your camber on NSF more negative than the OSF, assuming you have standard ball joints?

Before and after the Tyrol Deadset, my car showed -1.5 NSF camber, and -0.85 on the OSF camber - on a VAG Biessbarth rig.   According to the operator, he sees that frequently on standard MK5s, let alone modified ones.  I was hoping the deadset would level off the camber difference, but it didn't, and funnily enough, my steering wheel was also kicked to the right afterwards as well.   But after a lot of fiddling about, we got it all spot on.   Initially the camber reference wasn't right because of one side being more negative than the other, so I'm hoping with a pair of SuperPro adjustable BJs to trim the cambers, it should be easier to get the steering wheel straight.

[99hagued]

<img src="https://www.imageupload.co.uk/images/2018/03/27/E517FF8A-6AAD-4DA8-8119-D0E47AAD6E76.jpg" border="0">

[pudding]

Exactly the same as mine, but reversed.  Sorry, it was -0.56 (not 0.85) on one side like yours, which I believe is the factory spec.   For some reason, it's always off on one side on these cars.   Once the caster and camber are equalized, the toe and steering wheel should then align up nicely.

[99hagued]

I’m on Passat/s3 hubs and arms so standard ball joints. The camber has always been out on one side, I too thought that the dead set kit would centre it out. Tbh it always used to be straight until I changed the rack that’s why I’m thinking it’s because I didn’t get the steering characteristics done because the dealers wanted £150 that’s half the price of the rack for a 5 min job

[MIJ_JAGGER]

Yep I have the new rack in, didn’t bother with the steering curve too...

Also have the alloy arms too mind...

[pudding]

Yeah alloy arms and wishbones here too, with Passat ball joints.   It was exactly the same with the old steel parts too   

I'm not sure if the previous owner fitted a new rack, but it's a possibility given they break easily.   I'm not really computing how that would cause an alignment error though, unless 0 degrees on the angle sensor doesn't match at the rack/pinion end.  Food for thought though.

Given my mechanic says he sees that on nearly every MK5 he puts on the rig, I'm putting it down to shoddy workmanship at the factory 

[willni]

My steering wheel has corrected itself, I’m assuming it reset or something both bang on now, feels smoother on the road now


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[Stupots]

Interesting. How is this possible unless something has moved? It's all a mechanical connection from steering wheel to the wheels, the angle sensor does nothing more than monitor the steering angle... I cant see how it can reset.

[Dan_FR]

It can't.... quite simply. Either its not fixed or the OP was mistaken first time round. Nothing more to it

[Panthera]

This alignment does seem to be a problem on the 'golf' platform. I too had a problem, kinda, in that to get the alignment bang on I would have to have the sub frame moved which seemed a little overkill.  I mentioned this on here and Pudding mentioned that there might not bee enough movement in the sub frame to make the necessary adjustments. What he suggested was some "subframe locking bolt set (TyrolSport's is the best by miles)".  I have yet to do this as it is not that bad. 

Heres my thread: http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,115248.msg1099231.html#msg1099231

Try alignmycar.co.uk for finding a place for 4WA using Hunter Engineering aligners.