Wheel Alignment

[BLAKROC]

Just had my gti lowered on H&R springs, done by a mates, mate.

Forgot to ask him at the time, but do i need to get a 4-wheel or a 2-wheel alignment (front wheels only) with the new springs.. any one able to fill me in?

Got a quote over the phone from pedders for a 4 wheel alignment today for $135... seems a bit steep when i can get the front wheels aligned at John Hughes for $40ish

Cheers

[Blitzen]

Front wheel only.

[BLAKROC]

Thanks mate, appreciate it.

[noone]

A good wheel alignment over an ordinary one can make a difference. Also, understanding how you want your car setup (or how it should be setup) for performance rather than ordinary use is something you'd like the aligner to know.

[seangti]

as the others have said, ring around and make sure the aligner knows what they are doing with VW's. It took me 4 wheel alignments and a couple of hundred $$$ pi55ed down the drain, found my local one that VW recommend and they sorted the alignment and ridiculous tyre wear issue.

I could go on about the hassles and BS I was told to get my car driving straight (needs shims in the rear, needs a camber kit in the front, etc, etc). Once getting the alignment right on paper, it still pulled left, I found my front right tyre was to blame, a factory conti. It'll be my front left for track days - cop that mongrel tyre

rant over

[572]

as the others have said, ring around and make sure the aligner knows what they are doing with VW's. It took me 4 wheel alignments and a couple of hundred $$$ pi55ed down the drain, found my local one that VW recommend and they sorted the alignment and ridiculous tyre wear issue.

Sean, are you able to share, via PM if you like, the recommended place?

[brad]

Front wheel only.

So lowering the rear of the car has no affect on camber & toe of the rear wheels?

To the OP: $100+ isn't OTT if they are doing a proper 4 wheel alignment.

[noone]

polo has minimal changes available for the suspension.

For Toe, you need shimms. For caster, you need a kit.

Its not going to look like a dropped beemer with crazy rear caster like the kool kids.

[brad]

So it's a beam rear axle like a Mk3 Golf? (looks like a U when viewed from the top)

[noone]

Yeah, not independent (apparently, only the mk5 golf and onwards in independent in the rear).

I'm going to do some homework on shocks only and full coilovers.

Thinking that AP Coilovers might be an interesting way to go (they go very low for the dubbers) but before I go asking for pricing, wanted to get some EOI's.

Anyone interested? My target is going to be <$700 landed for shocks or coilovers.