Unserviceable '93 Golf Cabriolet!

[cab93]

A wheel alignment and balance was due on the Golf. Simple, book it in, drop the car off, pay the bill, drive home. Easy as that...

Computer said "Noooo" Apparently my car is the only one they have ever seen with a "Nonadjustable solid left hand tie rod" Their computer wheel alignment system which can detect issues within half a mm is unable to deal with a "European import".

It got worse. I was told "This vehicle could never be adjusted properly" and "I have been ripped off by every person that had ever adjusted the alignment'.

I have never had alignment issue with the car. Tyres wear evenly.

Of course the car now drives - badly. Pulls to the right and "floats" at highway speed.

They have had two attempts to correct this, but have no idea on what to do.

Can someone please tell me how to adjust the alignment? I can then pass this on to the tyre shop so they can fix it. Or better still point me in the direction of a workshop that understands MK1 Golfs.

Thanks

Michael

[Peter Jones]

They're lying to you. (or more likely, just ignorant)

All Mk 1 golfs left the factory that way.

Procedure would be to point the wheel with the fixed tie rod in the right direction, lock the steering wheel then adjust the other. Once that's done, if the steering wheel is out of whack you have to pull it off and move it round a couple of splines.

The fixed tie rod can be replaced with an adjustable one left and right are the same. A lot of Golfs have had this done.

[Jarred]

I've always done it the same way Pete described.

That shop sounds incompetent to me! Surely someone who does wheel alignments for a living could have figured this out!

[GOLFBALLS]

Every single "tyre shop" i've been to to do an alignment has brought it back worse, or with the steering wheel out of whack.

They are almost all useless clowns that take one look at a European car and immediately put up a wall of ignorance.

Maybe try a proper race type shop who's had some experience with older porsche's etc???

[Peter Jones]

You could also learn to do it yourself.

It's basic geometry. All you need is a roll of string and tape measure.

It'll take a little time but you can be just as accurate as the computer alignment places.

[cab93]

They're lying to you. (or more likely, just ignorant)

All Mk 1 golfs left the factory that way.

Procedure would be to point the wheel with the fixed tie rod in the right direction, lock the steering wheel then adjust the other. Once that's done, if the steering wheel is out of whack you have to pull it off and move it round a couple of splines.

The fixed tie rod can be replaced with an adjustable one left and right are the same. A lot of Golfs have had this done.

Thanks Peter

That what I suggested to them. As the rear wheels wheels are nonadjustable (I think?)- align the left front wheel straight with the left rear wheel, and then adjust the right tie rod. I was advised that this will cause extreme tyre wear.

They will no longer remove steering wheels due to Airbags and stereo controls etc. (I don't have these). So now my steering wheel is angled to the left!

I think I will ask "Bob" for my money back. And then find an older workshop.

Michael

[hitoriko]

Take it too a Specific VW Workshop.

Failing that have a go by yourself as the guys above have mentioned - if you need a workshop that knows MK1's inside and out

VOLKWERKE in melbourne. Thats where i'll be taking mine

[Peter Jones]

Yeah, those alignment places are half way houses for mechanics that can't actually fix cars.

The joint will be owned by a businessman who bought into the franchise and hires 16 year old apprentices to work on your car.

Same sort of business model as Subway and McDonalds.

I went to one once and had to train them on how to adjust camber, they'd never done it before!

If you can get there, TrackSide Tyres know how to align MK1 Golfs. There's about 4 MK1 racecars being looked after by Craig. Trackside Race and Rally Tyres Service

[cab93]

Thanks everyone

That's the information I need!


Michael

[revnit]

You could also learn to do it yourself.

It's basic geometry. All you need is a roll of string and tape measure.

It'll take a little time but you can be just as accurate as the computer alignment places.

Thats how i do mine as already stated most of these places hire young guys and don't bother training them properly. I know alot of tire shops don't like to do alignments because 1 they take to long, 2 if its no done right the customer will be back to complain so its risky and spin you some crap to get out of it.

[thestu]

Oh do I have stories about tyre shops. GRRRR!!!

My mk1 went to get done... Came back my central locking was broken, gear shifter loose an would not select gears and worst of all it pulled left!

I do it myself from now on... Pete is a tip top bloke and has a world full of knowledge i would head to him! (hey pete!)

[brad]

Yeah, those alignment places are half way houses for mechanics that can't actually fix cars.

There are/were some exceptions. I'd still do it (wheel alignments/undercar) but nobody wants to pay a mechanic a $100k package & a 35 hour week.

On the whole though, I agree with everything you've said.

[paulie71]

I had my wheels aligned at Tyrepower Bulleen when they put new tyres on. I asked some questions around adjustments before they started and based on that coversation I could tell they at least knew what they were on about. Car has driven like a charm since!

I think most observations put on this post point to to key issue that many workshops say no when they are just being lazy and ignorant.

Good luck with your endeavour in finding a reputable tyre store.