Why you Cannot do a "Wheel Alignment" on the 6R polo

[gavs]

The VW Polo 6R has a suspension system first seen in the Mk 4 Golf, running a torsion beam, coil spring and dampers setup on the rear along with a MacPherson Strut setup on the front. With this setup, the strut is mounted in a fixed, immovable position into the cast housing that also carries the hard-points for the ball joint (control arm mounting), tie rod (steering arms), brake calipers (and carriers in diesel and GTI models) and also holds the wheel bearing and hub assembly.

When performing a "wheel alignment" on these vehicles, there is only 1 thing that can be adjusted and that is the toe in/out of the front tyres. The only way to adjust camber is to move the whole front subframe which generally highlights bigger issues than just camber being out. The other issue with moving the subframe is that while giving one wheel more negative camber, you automatically give the opposing wheel positive camber.

Refer to teh following documents for further information but in short, unless someone is adjust the toe of your front wheels, if you get charged for a wheel alignment, you are being ripped off.

[Bug_racer]

You can move the lower ball joint to adjust camber . Its only very little though .

[ATYPIC]

Geez...I thought your point was made clear enough yesty....and following your advice I won't be proceeding and wasting money now.

[gavs]

Geez...I thought your point was made clear enough yesty....and following your advice I won't be proceeding and wasting money now.

Sorry mate, didn't want to sound bitchy. I just wanted to create a thread for everyone's easy reference

I apoligise for any offense

[ATYPIC]

Sorry mate, didn't want to sound bitchy. I just wanted to create a thread for everyone's easy reference

I apoligise for any offense

No offence taken whatsoever...I actually thought it was good timing on your behalf because I've now saved some coin.

[gavs]

Glad to help

[Tigger]

Wow! very detailed response gavs!

Dodgy wheel alignment is my biggest pet hate (followed by internal water leaks, but that is another story...) in a car, so I have spent huge time and money getting the steering wheel exactly correct and alignment perfect over the years.

Some places have no idea at all, and I am sure this sort of infor from the pages you have posted would help them tremendously.

Are those exerpts from VW official manuals?

Do they have such detailed pages for other VW models like my Tiguan?

[sVWatt]

Glad to help

This is handy. Hope no one needs to refer to it though
Cheers

[Jasonpb]

Interesting, partner just got charged $110 bucks for a wheel alignment at the dealership, same place we bought both the cars from! can't say I am too happy about this.

[Hail22]

I would highly suggest you get your $110 and inform them that it can be considered as fraud as they are well aware the Polo 6R cannot be alligned lol.

[pologti18t]

I would highly suggest you get your $110 and inform them that it can be considered as fraud as they are well aware the Polo 6R cannot be alligned lol.

Of course it can be aligned... for toe in. And if I am not mistaken thats about as much as you can do on most mcpherson strut front suspension.

[Hail22]

Of course, but for $110? mate the run of the mill wheel alignments from Bob jane etc are $85 and if so VW really need to mention/inform the customer how this is being done as it can be misleading and make people either feel ripped off, or have a false sense of what they see on the invoice "Wheel Alignment" actually means.

[pologti18t]

Of course, but for $110? mate the run of the mill wheel alignments from Bob jane etc are $85 and if so VW really need to mention/inform the customer how this is being done as it can be misleading and make people either feel ripped off, or have a false sense of what they see on the invoice "Wheel Alignment" actually means.

I wasn't questioning the price... I was questioning the fact that people don't think a polo can have a wheel alignment.
Another point to raise is if the dealer actually did a wheel alignment. More than likely it was sent to a local tyre place (ie outsourced) for the alignment.

Why anyone would agree to a $110 alignment beats me. Don't people ask for a price before getting work done on their car?

[Jasonpb]

I wasn't questioning the price... I was questioning the fact that people don't think a polo can have a wheel alignment.
Another point to raise is if the dealer actually did a wheel alignment. More than likely it was sent to a local tyre place (ie outsourced) for the alignment.

Why anyone would agree to a $110 alignment beats me. Don't people ask for a price before getting work done on their car?

Simply because it's a lease car and it's easier to do it through the dealer than get the car serviced, take it to another place to do the wheel alignment then submit the paperwork through to claim the money back. We were already traveling 40mins to take it to this dealership specifically.

It might be seen as a rip off but it's a convience thing, it's not something I requested, the partner mentioned she wanted her front wheel checked whilst booking the service as she had hit a few curbs (typical female thing) and they told her she probably needed a wheel alignment.

It was actually more than the $110 and when we dropped the car off I commented on it and they crossed out the original price stating it was wrong and made it $110. I don't know what the final bill actually was as the lease company deals with it, but what I had seen written down was $350 for service (polo) and $110 for the wheel alignment.

I sent them off an email and will see what they have to say.

[Evaded Motorsport]

I paid $40 for my last 4 wheel, wheel alignment.

They charged $110 for front wheel only wheel alignment?