Perfect wheel alignment settings for the Polo??

**VWindahouse** · 17-10-2012, 07:37 PM

I know I may be asking a little much by wanting to find the perfect balance for a street/track car but here goes. All experience and opinions welcomed. Especially all the track whores out there.

So a few questions to start things off. I believe the ideal front camber settings for a FWD car are between 3-4 positive degrees as printed here Suspension Tuning Negative Camber - Sport Compact Car Magazine

Then there is front and rear toe and the Polo from factory is known for having around 7mm positive toe hence the Whiteline shims. So what would suggest as being the idea measurements?

Then to front and rear camber. Now I know everyone would give their left one to have a set up like Eddy's but for us mere mortals I believe there may be a tiny bit of adjustment here. My last alignment print out says;

Rear Camber
left -1,35
right -1,26

Front Camber
left -1,22
right -0,50

What are your thoughts on those?

Cheers yal!

**s4mmie** · 18-10-2012, 07:35 PM

I'm keen on this subject also

Anyone?

I also was looking into making adjustable strut tops... might start another thread on it to see if there's much support.

**VWindahouse** · 06-11-2012, 10:19 AM

Did anyone manage to find their camber settings?

**nightphotographer** · 27-11-2012, 01:25 PM

Didn't want to start a brand new thread for this - I got an allignment done a few days ago, first one since changing the suspension and the car had been pulling pretty hard to the left. Got in it and drove straight to Melbourne - 300+ kms of Highway driving and it's still pulling to the left exactly the same before it was apparently alligned - surely this isn't normal? Have I been screwed over?

**gavs** · 27-11-2012, 02:27 PM

Ask/check your receipt of work done because if it mentions camber adjustments, they're lying. They can adjust toe but for castor and camber, they need to unbolt the whole subframe.

**nightphotographer** · 27-11-2012, 02:55 PM

Originally Posted by gavs

Ask/check your receipt of work done because if it mentions camber adjustments, they're lying. They can adjust toe but for castor and camber, they need to unbolt the whole subframe.

When I picked it up they said something about +1 Toe - wasn't really paying attention, it'd been a long week.

I was expecting an allignment to correct the pulling to the left. I know all car's will pull eventually because of camber, but this is a soon as you let go off the wheel, harsh pull. Would I be out of line if I took it back and asked them to re-do it?

**s4mmie** · 27-11-2012, 05:08 PM

I thought mine pulled to the left, same story, fitted new suspension and thought it was that..
It still pulls to the left mainly, but I think it's just because of the bigger wheels combined with the camber of the road as it can pull to the right sometimes as well. It sounds like yours might be a bit more severe though?

**gavs** · 28-11-2012, 06:24 AM

Don't forget also that the inherent backlash in the drivetrain accounts for this as well with the 2 different length driveshafts, the left being shorter. Find a hill and with the engine running, put the car in neutral and roll down seeing if the pull is the same. I would also ask exactly what they aligned because if they haven't given you a report on the before and after settings, I would question the workmanship...

**kaanage** · 28-11-2012, 06:53 AM

They should be able to print out a copy of the alignment settings (with both before and after measurements) from your previous visit. Certainly make sure you get one if they realign your car.

Usually, they will set cars to pull slightly to the right if you don't ask for a straight track.

**h100vw** · 28-11-2012, 08:41 AM

What are the rear wishbone bushes like?

Have they been replaced, you could align it until the cows come home and it would change significantly between power on and off, if the bushes are worn out.

You could set it correctly with no movement on the ramp but that changes on the road.

Gavin

Originally Posted by nightphotographer

When I picked it up they said something about +1 Toe - wasn't really paying attention, it'd been a long week.

I was expecting an allignment to correct the pulling to the left. I know all car's will pull eventually because of camber, but this is a soon as you let go off the wheel, harsh pull. Would I be out of line if I took it back and asked them to re-do it?