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

**brad** · 06-05-2012, 09:21 PM

Undo 6-8 bolts, get a big lever in there & give it a nudge to one side, refit bolts. They may be stretch bolts & need replacement. As I am the king of bodgy work, I'd probably just do them up really tight....... but it's probably a bad thing.

**gavs** · 07-05-2012, 10:21 AM

Yes, they are stretch bolts and I have seen first hand what happens when they aren't replaced in a car, even only after being loosened and re-tightened once. One occasion, an upper A arm (not Vw) decided to part ways after the stretch bolt dis-embarked the vehicle after being torqued up. If however, it was done up as tight as possible, it might not have happened but still, for the sake of a few extra $'s, is it worth the risk...

4 bolts on the polo for the subframe.

**brad** · 07-05-2012, 11:02 AM

Figured so.
One of the lower control arm bolts on the MKIV used to loosen off no matter how tight I made it (I'd guess i took it to about 150-200NM on a 12mm shank). It only stayed in place when I used locktite on it. A new bolt would have been much smarter.

RocknRob. There's a guy on this forum that was making eccentric bushes for the polo subframes (previous model). They looked a brilliant idea for holding the subframe in place once you had the alignment sorted.

**LRich** · 23-05-2012, 09:54 AM

Hi all,
Haven't been on for a while - hope everyone and their polos are going well (2 weeks until my first anniversary with mine - bit excited to have no more repayments!!)
anyway, back on topic.. had the first service done yesterday and they're recommending a full wheel alignment (suggested bob jane and another place as VW can't do it). but reading through this thread, it seems that it's not possible, let alone necessary?? can someone please advise in laymen (or girls) terms why??
on another (probably unrelated) note - the invoice has 'total POL' listed at $85.25 and I have no idea what it means!! any suggestions?
thanks guys,
Laura.

**Umai Naa!!** · 23-05-2012, 10:05 AM

Hi there, contrary to the conclusion-jumping in this thread, you can certainly do a wheel alignment on the car. However, due to the design of the steering and suspension components, it's not as extensive as some other cars, as there only some aspects that you can adjust as part of the wheel alignment. Whether it's necessary or not, is up to you. But you could seek a second opinion.

The 'Total POL' reference is most likely the engine oil your dealership has used in your car. The price seems to be on par with other oils, too.

Hope this helps.

**brad** · 23-05-2012, 10:10 AM

LRich:
As you are in Melbourne, I'd recomend you visit Ralph at TrueTrack. Nobody does it better in MEL.

POL? P...../ oils /lubricants? South Yarra i assume?

**LRich** · 23-05-2012, 11:10 AM

thanks guys for your help!
went to barloworld moorabbin. complete ripoff, but close to home and they washed the car and gave me a loan car for the day so I decided to be lazy..

**kaanage** · 23-05-2012, 12:46 PM

They didn't charge you for the loan car? They normally do for servicing.

---------- Post added at 12:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:42 PM ----------

Originally Posted by gavs

One occasion, an upper A arm (not Vw) decided to part ways after the stretch bolt dis-embarked the vehicle after being torqued up. If however, it was done up as tight as possible, it might not have happened

More likely the bolt would break while being tightened (that's what stretching does - make the material go past it's yield strength so it's not as strong as it previously was). I'm contemplating replacing the stupid stretch bolts with proper hardened ones when I next overhaul my front end. Stretch bolts are a convenience for automated assembly (and monkeys who can't install bolts to properly specified tensions).