MK5 alignment setting same as MK4

[Black9]

Got my alignment done today and since my car is an early GTI-2004, when the car was checked on the garages computer for settings it came up as a MK4 GTI. The car was adjusted to mk4 settings and I just realised now, called the garage and according to them they're exact same apart from front caster settings which aren't adjustable anyway, according to him. Can anyone confirm this! Car seems fine to drive and steering seems straight but just want piece of mind

[andy7ven]

Had my wheel alignment done 2 weeks ago don't know if this helps but these are my settings off the printout.

Left front = -0°58 Camber 6°59 Caster 0°04 Toe  Right front = -1°09 Camber 7°30 Caster 0°05 Toe Front = 0°09 Total Toe -0°01 Steer Ahead

Left Rear = -1°31 Camber 0°05 Toe                    Right Rear = -1°50 Camber 0°05 Toe                   Rear = 0°10 Total Toe 0°00 Thrust Angle

I was told the Caster settings can't be adjusted as well.

[Black9]

I'll compare that to my readouts tonight, did they adjust the rear too?

[andy7ven]

Yep front and rear. Performed on their brand new Hunter.

[Black9]

Mines seem to be slightly different, they were carried out by a company called CLCM in Edinburgh who are pretty well know so all should be good. Did the garage supply u with the manufacture specs?

[andy7ven]

I was right by the bloke who did it and he plugged the tracking machine into the car (don't know what for). Then he choose "Volkswagen : Golf V 2004-09 : Sport Suspension GTI (G08/1JE)" on the machine.

[tony_danza]

They really aren't the same, they're fobbing you off.

[Black9]

They really aren't the same, they're fobbing you off.

Do u know this for certain? I didn't think they were either, I've had the car booked in for Monday anyways so see what happens. Although the car seems to drive ok, steering is straight too

[alackofspeed]

Front toe will no doubt be the same - near enough parallel. Front camber and caster is not adjustable on a standard car, be it mk4 or mk5, to my knowledge.

The rear will be different, as to my knowledge the rear of the mk4 is not adjustable, whereas the mk5 is camber and toe adjustable.

[Black9]

Cool, it's booked in for Mon anyways so will see what comes of that

[alackofspeed]

As a slight aside, should your alignment centre leave the car with imbalance on the front caster or camber and you really want to get the car spot on, it can be "optimised". I did my car a few month's ago on a dynamic computerised rig, and by moving the sub-frame around, you can balance it across the axle. For a mildly sporty hatch, the mk5 is quite sensitive to the geometry.