Camber adjustment question re Mk 4 Golf

[Speed]

Can the camber on the front suspension be adjusted by loosening the tower nut above the strut, moving the strut and tightening the nut again?

All assistance will be apreciated.

Thankyou!!!

[dylan8]

not really... need camber tops id imagine, and even then camber gained on a mk4 up front is minimal via strut top

[ffoff]

Can you get camber bolts like on the mk1-mk3? Still not a whole lot of adjustment but atleast it's something.

[dylan8]

Can you get camber bolts like on the mk1-mk3? Still not a whole lot of adjustment but atleast it's something.

dont think we can... where do the camber bolts actually install on a mk3? cant say iv paid much attention to them.

[rayray086]

Nope can't use camber bolts like Mk1-Mk3 cos there's none fitted. But like the previous generations you can adjust some camber at the balljoint/control arm. Loosen all three bolts and push/pull for positive/negative camber. There's not much movement in the base and GTI models, but the R32/TT setup have elongated holes in the control arms to allow for extra camber adjustment.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk.

[gavs]

As rayray said and I make the point to reiterate that there is not much, as in minutes worth of adjustment, if that. The slots are more to take up manufacturing varience, not camber adjustment. If you want proper camber adjustment, aftermarket is the way you need to go.

To give you an idea, the amount is so minuscule that the factory repair manuals state that camber adjustment is impossible on the individual wheels. You can move the subframe, but if you make one wheel negative, you will then make the other wheel positive.

[Speed]

As rayray said and I make the point to reiterate that there is not much, as in minutes worth of adjustment, if that. The slots are more to take up manufacturing varience, not camber adjustment. If you want proper camber adjustment, aftermarket is the way you need to go.

To give you an idea, the amount is so minuscule that the factory repair manuals state that camber adjustment is impossible on the individual wheels. You can move the subframe, but if you make one wheel negative, you will then make the other wheel positive.

Thank you gavs, RayRay, Dylan and ffoff.

My issue is that I have what I believe is noticable negative camber on my front right but not the front left.
I have adjustable KW coil overs up front.
From the engine bay, the front right strut also appears to to be closer to the left of the car compared to the other side.

Do I just pull off the front right wheel and see if my strut is bent?
What else should I be looking for?

Want to get a wheel alignment before I chew the inside of the tyre out but also want to be prepared with the necessary parts at the same time if something turns out to be bent.

Thanks again!

[dylan8]

replaced your strut top bushes and bearings?
everything tight down below? (subframe, control arms, ball joint)

[Speed]

replaced your strut top bushes and bearings?
everything tight down below? (subframe, control arms, ball joint)

I havn't replaced anything.
Have owned the car since April 2010 and only put her on the road recently.

Previous owner did the chip, suspension and wheels etc.

Everything seems tight and there is no knocking from the strut top bushes.
Will have to pull the wheel off this weekend and investigate further.

Cheers!

[dylan8]

other then one being a little side ways. is one strut top sitting higher/lower then the other?

[Speed]

other then one being a little side ways. is one strut top sitting higher/lower then the other?

I don't recall. Will check it tonight, could that mean that it is adjusted at a different height, effecting camber?

Thanks

[dylan8]

I don't recall. Will check it tonight, could that mean that it is adjusted at a different height, effecting camber?

Thanks

not really... more it could be a indicator that the bushes or something is shagged and needs replacing.

[Speed]

Ok, I've not checked the strut tops due to pissing down rain and not having a roof on my garage.. another story.
What I have noticed, is that my front right (the problem area) has a 10mm gap between tyre and guard but the front left has a 30mm gap.

Can the actual ride height of my KW V2 coilovers effect the camber?
I understand that the rear of a car shows neg camber when lowered, so was wondering if this could be my issue on the front?
The concrete slab that the car is sitting on appears level.

Intend on taking the front right wheel off over the next few days, to check for anything bent.