Volkswagen Golf V (2004 - 2008) - 2004 1.9TDI 4 wheel laser alignment

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Tue 17 Mar 2009 18:23
2004 1.9TDI 4 wheel laser alignment - tecas
Hi all,


I recently had all my tyres checked and aligned as neccessary at a local tyre place, on a Golf MK5 1.9TDI. The rear left camber showed up off limits before AND after the alignment. It shows as -1.53 degrees and limit is -1.47 degrees, so -0.06 degrees out of limits.



The rear left shows -1.37 degrees before and after. The place said the rear camber wasn't adjustable on the Golf MK5, although it did show at -1.49 degrees before the test? I have also since found out that the rear camber can be adjusted...


Could adjusting the toe slightly on the rear right also affect the camber by 0.04 degrees?



I paid them GBP65 and they gave a print out, adjusted the front toes, adjusted the rear right toe. Is this reasonable for the work done on a Hunter DSP600 4 Wheel laser rig? Also, with the camber being out of limits by 0.06 degrees, should I be concerned about this or is it just too miniscule to be concerned about?


Thanks guys.

Edited by Pugugly on 17/03/2009 at 21:46

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Tue 17 Mar 2009 21:34
2004 1.9TDI 4 Wheel Laser Alignment - Hamsafar
To be honest, this could just be slop. I have had this done a lot in the past and seen similar shifts, and even had it done at one reputable place and then gone to another a few days later and got different results. It would be interesting to drive on and off and refit the apparatus and see how much the readings change by.

How is the camber changed on the rear? Some cars require the fitting of special bolts, shims, or just loosening the bolts and retightening them, while someone else pushes/pulls against the wheel.
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Wed 18 Mar 2009 01:27
2004 1.9TDI 4 Wheel Laser Alignment - Woodspeed
The amount showing is a very small amount, and I would not worry. You will soon find out if there is uneven rear tyre wear. Bear in mind when moving it will be all over the place anyway! Hamsafar is also right in that you can take it to another place and get a different reading (I have actually had one say negative and another positive - that far out!!!) Put a small amount of weight in the boot and it wil change. When getting tyres changed I always get asked if I ant the settings checked, to which I reply NO. Half the people using these machines have not a clue. Some cars quote total toe, others for one wheel to a centre line, which the operator does not understand. When the car goes on a ramp and the front wheels placed on the spinners, it also needs a good bounce if it has been jacked up, to settle the suspension.
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Wed 18 Mar 2009 09:03
2004 1.9TDI 4 Wheel Laser Alignment - jc2
I'd rather use an experienced place with basic equipment than a school-leaver operating "hi-tech" machines.
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