GTI mk5 require a wheel alignment?

[methylnick]

Hi all,

My lovely car is due for a 30,000km service soon, I remember well before this my old car (Holden Astra) was in serious need of a wheel alignment (was pulling to the left).

However, I don't notice this in my GTI this far (no uneven wearing of the tyres) which begs the question if you can/need to do a wheel alignment and if Volkswagen service can do this for you.

Or is this another uncovered feature of this car - no wheel alignment necessary at all.

cheers all

Nick

[Maverick]

However, I don't notice this in my GTI this far (no uneven wearing of the tyres) which begs the question if you can/need to do a wheel alignment and if Volkswagen service can do this for you.

Yes you do need to have them done, when depends on a squillion factors but it's probably due to be checked at 2 years.

Or is this another uncovered feature of this car - no wheel alignment necessary at all.

The self aligning suspension is probably 10-20 years off

[mrx]

Yes VW can do it for you, but do you trust them to do it? I would go (and have been) to a proper suspension place with a decent laser alignment machine, with operators who know what they are doing.

[zz2]

Yes VW can do it for you, but do you trust them to do it? I would go (and have been) to a proper suspension place with a decent laser alignment machine, with operators who know what they are doing.

yeah i'll second that

[methylnick]

good points there

[KWICKS]

Since you are in Melbourne see Ralph at Trutrack - apparently the best local available for alignments, especially if you want a anything special, a bit of neg camber, etc.

[PhilMart]

Know this will cause a stir .. but the last three cars I have had I have never done an alignment on (all new from factory).

Prior to that I used to get my car wheels aligned every 10000 km and would still find the tyres screwed up at the end of the 10000 kms!

My thinking is that unless I hit something hard to knock it out, then I will check the alignment by amount of wear on the tyre and other obvious signs.

So far so good .. the Hyundai has done 90000kms, the Toyota has done 60000kms and the GTI has done 22000 kms .. no significant uneven tyre wear on any of them .. significant even tyre wear on the fronts .. yes ..

[gregozedobe]

...... significant even tyre wear on the fronts .. yes ..

Probably in direct proportion to the amount of time the right foot has pushed hard on the right pedal

[mrx]

My thinking is that unless I hit something hard to knock it out, then I will check the alignment by amount of wear on the tyre and other obvious signs.

I agree, but does another car count as something hard? That's why I got mine done. Oh, and after installation of new lower springs.

[Logzy]

Melbourne - Advantage Suspension in Moorabbin. See Nathan.

[bazzle]

If in your opinion the wear is even, the car drives and tracks ok.... leave alone??

Bazzle

[methylnick]

Thanks for your melbourne suggestions all.

I'll look them up when I feel an alignment is needed, doesn't seem to right now.

Cheers

Nick

[datracer99]

Know this will cause a stir .. but the last three cars I have had I have never done an alignment on (all new from factory).

Prior to that I used to get my car wheels aligned every 10000 km and would still find the tyres screwed up at the end of the 10000 kms!

My thinking is that unless I hit something hard to knock it out, then I will check the alignment by amount of wear on the tyre and other obvious signs.

So far so good .. the Hyundai has done 90000kms, the Toyota has done 60000kms and the GTI has done 22000 kms .. no significant uneven tyre wear on any of them .. significant even tyre wear on the fronts .. yes ..

I have a ford falcon wagon, 95 model. I bought it at 50,000km. It now has 140,000. Only wheel alignment it has ever had when an idiot ran into me and pushed me into the gutter. It dosen't go out of alignment. Tyre wear is perfect.

Modern suspensions seem to hold up pretty well, unless they get knocked hard.

Generally, I agree, inspect the tread wear regularly and only align if required.
However due to the cost of the tyres on the golf, I will get an alignment whenever I change tyres.
It's not much cost in compariosn to $1600 worth of rubber.

[BadTigerBreath]

Is there anyone in Sydney that could be recommended, also what are the best setting for a GTI? I have a Pirelli and was a little dissapointed by the understeer last night as I headed towards a wall, luckily is gripped and I didn;t crash...just

[Vdubya]

I'd also like to gain a recommendation on a good wheel aligner. Had many bad experiences, and the car has never felt the same as it did off the showroom floor.

From what i hear though and user comments, ProConcept are quite good with this sort of service.