Mandatory Sequence of Adjustment
NOTE: Wheel alignment is checked at the curb weight of the car.
Required Steps
1. Check front axle camber and adjust if necessary, refer to Step 1 below.
2. Check rear axle camber and adjust if necessary, refer to Step 2 below.
3. Check rear axle toe and adjust if necessary, refer to Step 3 below.
4. If necessary, check toe-in curve (S-point-adjustment) on the front axle and adjust if necessary, refer to Step 4 below.
5. Check front axle toe in raised position and adjust if necessary, refer to Step 5 below.
Step 1. Front Axle Camber, Adjusting
NOTE:
^ The wheel camber cannot be adjusted separately.
^ However, it is possible to move the subframe (crossmember) in order to center the front axle camber within the specified range.
- Remove underbody protection pan.
- Loosen four mounting bolts -1- and -2- on subframe (crossmember).
- Loosen two front subframe (crossmember) bolts -1- just far enough so that special tool VAG 1926 can be placed between side member and subframe (crossmember) mount.
- Install special tool VAG 1926 vertical to center axis of vehicle (as close as possible), and use set screw to adjust front axle camber value to within specified range, refer to Specifications. Specifications
NOTE: If tool VAG 1926 is installed on the left in driving direction, the camber on the left wheel can be changed in positive direction and the camber on the right wheel in negative direction. Using the tool on the opposite side entails reversing the directions.
- Release setscrew on special tool and check values displayed again; adjust if necessary.
- Tighten both bolts at rear of front subframe (crossmember).
- Remove special tool VAG 1926.
- Replace both bolts (with washers) at front of subframe (crossmember).
Tighten to, 160 Nm 0 18 ft lb) plus additional 1/4-turn (90°)
- Replace both bolts (with washers) at rear of subframe (crossmember).
Tighten to, 160 Nm (118 ft lb) plus additional 1/4-turn (90°)
- Check toe-in each time camber is adjusted.
NOTE: When replacing the subframe (crossmember) bolts with washers, at least two bolts must always be tight to prevent unintended change in the position of the subframe (crossmember).
Step 2. Rear Axle Camber, Adjusting
- Loosen mounting nut -A- for wheel bearing housing/control arm.
- Adjust camber by turning eccentric bolt -B-.
NOTE:
^ Maximum adjusting range is 90° from the center position.
^ The camber adjustment is shown with wheel removed for better view.
- Tighten mounting nut.
Tighten to, 95 Nm (70 ft lb)
- Check camber value again and adjust if necessary.
- Check rear axle toe, adjust if necessary.
Step 3. Rear Axle Toe, Adjusting
- Loosen mounting nut -C-.
- Adjust toe as necessary by turning eccentric bolt -D-.
- Tighten mounting nut, check adjustment and adjust if necessary.
Tighten to, 95 Nm (70 ft lb)
NOTE:
^ Maximum adjusting range is 90° to the left or right from the center position.
^ When the wheel toe is changed, the thrust angle is automatically changed.
Step 4. Toe-In Curve On Front Axle, Adjusting
Legend For Illustration Of Toe-In Curve
A - Compression
B - Extension or rebound
B1 - Defined starting position: unladen position
B2 - Suspension is extended by 60 mm (2.36 inch) compared to position B1
C - Toe-in
C1 - Toe-in measured in position B,
C2 - Toe-in measured in position B2
D - Toe-out
V - Toe-in curve
S - Toe constant: C2 - C1
NOTE:
^ As the suspension is compressed or extended, the toe of the wheel changes relative to the amount of compression or extension. Graphing the resulting toe values produces the toe in curve.
^ This curve is determined by the toe value C1, measured in the defined starting position B, and by the toe value C2, measured with the suspension extended 60 mm (in position B2) compared to starting position B1.
^ The resulting change in toe-in, C2 - C1, is defined as the toe constant S.
- Checking the toe-in curve is necessary in addition to the criteria in table "Vehicle Conditions Requiring Alignment" refer to Procedures. Service Notes
If:
There is accident damage to axle parts and/or the body.
There is a complaint about pulling when driving over bumpy roads and during braking.
- To check or adjust the toe-in curve, the front axle must be raised. To do so, use the spacer gauge VAG 1925 with adapters VAG 1925/1.
- Install spacer gauge VAG 1925 with adapters VAG 1925/1 and turn both threaded spindles far enough so that they just contact front subframe (crossmember) bolts -1-.
NOTE:
^ In this position, the alignment program checks whether the toe-in value for each wheel, C, equals a specified value of 10' 30' (rough pre-adjustment).
^ If necessary, adjust the toe-in using the tie rod length adjustment.
- Install axle lift on front lifting points and raise vehicle.
NOTE: If the wheel loses contact with the rotary plates when the vehicle is raised, make sure that the rotary plates are not moved.
- Move cylinder out of threaded spindle, making sure that locking bolts (arrow) are positioned correctly and securely.
- Lower vehicle down onto spacer gauge, to attain position B2 go to Step 4, Toe-In Curve On Front Axle, Adjusting.
NOTE:
^ The alignment program determines the current right and left toe constant (actual values of C2 - C1).
^ It checks whether the current toe constant (actual value) lies within the tolerance (control value), refer to Specifications. Specifications
- If toe constant actual value lies outside control value tolerance, adjust toe constant within adjusting value tolerance.
- Loosen clamping bolt -A-.
- Turn adjusting bolt -B-, for adjusting toe-in curve, out approximately 4 mm and press tie rod joint downward to stop.
- Turn adjusting bolt-B- in until specified value for toe constant has been reached exactly.
- Replace self-locking nut, tighten clamp bolt -A- to 45 Nm (33 ft lb), and re-check value.
- Put vehicle back into position B.
NOTE:
^ Re-check toe constant with the alignment program.
^ Readjust toe-in curve in position B2 if necessary.
- Remove adjusting bolt -2- from ball stud on right side of vehicle after adjusting toe-in curve.
- Fill threaded hole with multi-purpose grease and press in new protective cap -4-.
- Before an adjustment, remove protective cap carefully, remove all grease from ball stud and clamp hole in swing arm (steering knuckle).
- After successful adjustment, grease threaded hole again and press in new protective cap.
- Install adjusting bolt -13- in ball stud on left side of vehicle.
Tighten to, 7 Nm (62 inch lb)
Step 5. Front Axle Toe, Adjusting
- Adjust front toe on left and right wheels with tie rod length adjustment nut -A-.
Specified wheel toe value, refer to Specifications. Specifications
NOTE:
^ Make sure the boot is not twisted or damaged.
^ If the boot turns, remove and replace clamp.
- Tighten nut -13- and check toe-in value again.
Tighten to, 40 Nm (30 ft lb)
NOTE:
^ After adjusting the toe value, it is normal for the value to not correspond exactly to the value previously set in the unloaded position.
^ If the measured toe value lies within the control tolerance, the adjustment is correct.