Wheel alignment/Wheel size..?

Buzby · Post by **Buzby** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 2:56 pm

Ever sine I've had my polo, its always needed the steering corrected to the right while driving. Anyway I've had four wheel alignment done today at a VW dealer on a beissbarth alignment rig and only the toe was found to be out (just) and was corrected back to factory values., now it seems better but it still needs correcting on some roads. I've got OE 16" wheels fitted with OE Bridgetone tyres. Has anyone with 16"/17" wheels on their 9n found that they have this problem, as the loan cars I've had with 14" wheels dont seem to have the same problem with dragging to the camber of the road.

dino · Post by **dino** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 3:02 pm

Mine always needs correcting to the right too - i haven't had this checked out but have experienced no problems with uneven wear as you'd expect if tracking was out.

Really should get it checked.

Buzby · Post by **Buzby** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 3:07 pm

Mmmm the only wear Im getting is 10mm on the outside edge of the passenger side front tyre. Im just wondering if its the width of the tyres and not the car's fault..(

Bad tyres naughty naughty im gonna have you shredded..

)

david burton · Post by **david burton** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 4:26 pm

I've heard the steering is very slightly biased to pull to the left for safety purposes. could be a load of rubbish though.

my steering is always pulling slightly to the camber of the road, but that's normal.

dino · Post by **dino** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 5:01 pm

alignment should be 100% straight as far as I'm aware - its the camber in the road that derives where the car pulls. for example when I'm in France next month and i fall asleep at the wheel and the car is set to pull to the left - i would be pulled into oncoming traffic.

This was my understanding of things - i could however be wrong.

Buzby · Post by **Buzby** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 5:25 pm

Just been out in it again to see what it does on local roads, It's probably about right then as it now goes straight on a road where it used to drag to the left..

Tony_ · Post by **Tony_** » Thu Jul 26, 2007 3:06 am

I do have to adjust my steering wheel a bit to the right, since it tends to drag left when I leave it in the middle for 1-2 secs. Even after getting alignment on the 90k km check-up.

A former VW guy told me it was due to have the steering column not being straight (even with 100% alignment). It can happen when we pull the steering wheel harder to one side and "force" our way after reaching the limit (like when we park). Don't know if it sounds right, but I think you get my point.

Even so, I've tried to set the steering column right doing it on "reverse". In my case, "force" it to the left. But I've had not much success. Since I'm not the only one driving my Polo for now, I think I'm gonna give my grandma a word on that (the 2nd driver in the house, VW-addicted aswell!

).

Jamo · Post by **Jamo** » Thu Jul 26, 2007 6:50 am

My 9n used to pull really heavily to the left, it promptly wore the inside edges off both tyres... Had the tyres replaced and had a four wheel laser alignment done by the stealer. Was told that tracking was incorrect on both front wheels.

Went away happy after a correction, three months later noticed a vibration and checked the tyres... no inside edges left - again!! It is apparent that the rear wishbone bushes were at fault. There was enough play in them to allow the wheels to move out of alignment whilst under acceleration/decceleration - consequently they didn't sit right for the alignment...

All is well now that bushes replaced and tyres replaced AGAIN!

RUM4MO · Post by **RUM4MO** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 9:23 pm

Jamo wrote: It is apparent that the rear wishbone bushes were at fault. There was enough play in them to allow the wheels to move out of alignment whilst under acceleration/decceleration - consequently they didn't sit right for the alignment...

All is well now that bushes replaced and tyres replaced AGAIN!

Just to remove any confusion, I think that you meant the TCA rear bushes, not the rear wishbone bushes - Polo 9N does not have wishbones.