Ride Qaulity Polo BlueGT

[27_craig]

I remembered to check my GTI’s straight line steering when I was using it tonight.

On a straight road with no camber or slight camber it runs straight and true and the steering wheel is straight.

On roads with a heavier camber, it does gradually drift towards the nearside of the road, and the steering wheel moves slightly off centre, but only really if I take my hands off the steering wheel, and then any drift towards the kerb is is very gradual (that’s what I’d expect it to do). If I keep my hands on the wheel, I don’t have to consciously keep making corrective steering inputs to the direction of travel to maintain a straight line.

Thank you for that, well I have just ordered a pair of Michelin Pilot Sport 4’s to replace the cheap rear tyres so I’m hoping this will solve the steering issue!

If not, it’s going back to VW for another alignment!

Like I said, at the moment I have to steer slightly right to keep the car straight along a lightly cambered road and if I drive on the other side of the road I have to steer slightly left which makes me think the alignment is good because if I drive in the middle of the road it’s straight!! Confused! [emoji848]


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[27_craig]

Hello, so new tyres fitted to the rear and still have my steering issue!

Emailed Vw to send me a copy of the alignment they carried out and seems there is still a red on the final measurements! Really annoyed and I’m assuming this is why my steering is still out??




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[Ricmondo]

You can correctly execute as many realignments as you like but you will still have to steer to the side if the steering wheel has been mounted without first ensuring that the rack has been properly centred.

Line the car up with the front wheels, both of them, pointing straight ahead relative to the body, if there is toe out or toe in make sure it is the same each side.

The steering wheel should now point straight ahead, ie be level. If it isn’t it needs to be rotated relative to the splines. Easy before airbags, not quite so straightforward now.

[27_craig]

Thanks for reply!

Looking at my printout the toe in is the same in both sides but camber is significantly different but still in spec, can this be my problem?


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[Ricmondo]

Probably not if it’s within tolerance but is your steering wheel mounted correctly? An off centre steering wheel will mean that you have to steer to one side in order to drive in a straight line.

I know it sounds simplistic and could be regarded by some as taking the mickey but I’m being deadly serious, if I had a quid for every off centre steering wheel I’ve encountered since I started playing with cars, a time when all VWs were rear engined, I could probably afford a main dealer service. Afford but not want!

[27_craig]

I don’t think steering wheel is off centre as if I drive on the other side of the road it does the same but in opposite direction?

And if I drive down the middle of the road it drives dead straight!

I did read something about Bridgestone potenza tires being rubbish and could tramline??? Causing steering issues.

I’ve just replaced the cheapo tyres on the rear for Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres but has made no difference?


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[phillos]

I don’t think steering wheel is off centre as if I drive on the other side of the road it does the same but in opposite direction?

And if I drive down the middle of the road it drives dead straight!

So where is the problem again!?

If it drives straight when you’re on the middle of the road, but have to correct slightly to the relative opposite direction of the roads camber, then there is no problem.

Roads have cambers to either side to help water drain away from them. This in turn means when driving on them the car will have a tendency to “fall” away from the center of the road, meaning opposite steering input is needed to keep the car on the road.

Is this not exactly what your describing?

[peter_dk25]

I don’t think steering wheel is off centre as if I drive on the other side of the road it does the same but in opposite direction?

And if I drive down the middle of the road it drives dead straight!

So where is the problem again!?

If it drives straight when you’re on the middle of the road, but have to correct slightly to the relative opposite direction of the roads camber, then there is no problem.

Roads have cambers to either side to help water drain away from them. This in turn means when driving on them the car will have a tendency to “fall” away from the center of the road, meaning opposite steering input is needed to keep the car on the road.

Is this not exactly what your describing?

+ 1

[27_craig]

I guess you are correct but it seems to be quite w bit that I have to correct and this only happens a little in the Golf I also own.

However the polo has wider and low profile tyres? Does this make any difference? Also I have read that Bridgestone tyres are bad for being sensitive to camber?


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[27_craig]

Hi All,

I think I may swap my wheels front to rear this morning and see if this improves it to see if the Bridgestone potenzas are causing me the problem!


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[27_craig]

Hello, Me again!

So today I have swapped my tyres front to rear! So I now how my brand new Michelin PS4’s on the front and the nearly new Bridgestone potenzas on the rear! I’ve been for a little drive this evening and all seems good! It appears that I no longer have to steer slightly to the right when driving down a straight road! So I am very happy. It will get a proper test on Monday when I go on my 24 mile commute to work!

So it would seem that it was the Bridgestone potenzas causing it all along!


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