Section G - Vehicle Alignment (General Notes)
Section G - Vehicle Alignment (General notes)- Vehicle instability can also be caused by the wheels having a residual imbalance and/or radial run out which is too great
- Always measure wheel alignment using VW/Audi-approved wheel alignment equipment
- Wheel alignment checks must always include both front and rear axles
- When making adjustments, the relevant specifications must be adhered to as closely as possible
NOTE:
Steering wheel may be crooked if installation position of rear axle and driving direction of vehicle are not taken into account
- Steering wheel and steering column are marked
- Do not change this position otherwise, center position of rack cannot be guaranteed
A - Line marking on steering wheel
B - Punch indentation on steering column
Wheel Alignment Specifications
Specifications valid for all engine versions
NOTE:
The rear axle camber varies according to suspension height of vehicle
- On the left side of the vehicle, measure the distance -X- from the center of the wheel to the bottom of the wheel housing opening
- Use the distance measured to read the camber setting for that vehicle from Table A below
Table A: Rear Axle Camber Values According to Suspension Height of Vehicle
Test Requirements
- Check suspension, steering and steering linkage for excessive play and damage
- Tire tread depth difference not more than 2 mm on one axle
- Tires are inflated to correct pressure
- Vehicle at correct curb weight (1)
- After a certain period, wheel alignment platforms and computer equipment can lose their original leveling setting and adjustments
- Wheel alignment platforms and computer equipment should be serviced and calibrated at least once a year
- Precision equipment of this type should be treated with due care
- If necessary, contact the manufacture for familiarization with the proper use of the equipment
NOTE:
Basic settings of headlight range control or the longitudinal acceleration sensor will need to be set after performing the front end alignment
1) Curb weight is defined as the weight of the vehicle ready for the road (fuel tank completely filled, spare wheel, vehicle tools and vehicle jack)
Setting Wheel Alignment
- Use VAG Electronic Alignment machine or equivalent
- Ensure that the sliding plates and turntables are not touching the end stop when checking the wheel alignment
- Vehicle accurately aligned, suspension bounced and rocked several times
- The test equipment must be properly adjusted and attached to the vehicle (see equipment manufacturer's instructions)
- Carry out wheel run-out compensation
NOTE:
Compensating wheel run-out: The permissible lateral run-out of the wheel rims can exceed the specified toe setting tolerance. If the compensation for wheel run-out is not performed, it will not be possible to obtain a correct toe adjustment
- Insert brake pedal depressor
Overview Of Work Sequence For Measuring Wheel Alignment
The vehicle must be at curb weight when measuring wheel alignment
Use the following work sequence:
1. Check front axle camber and center if necessary
2. Check /adjust rear axle camber
3. Check rear axle toe and adjust as required
4. Check front axle toe with vehicle at curb weight and adjust as required
5. Vehicles with ESP only: zero position compensation must be performed on the steering angle sender -G85- if wheel alignment adjustments have been made on the front axle
Adjusting Camber At Rear Axle
The camber is adjusted via hole tolerance of the rear track control arms
If the readings are outside the permitted tolerances, the suspension components must be checked for damage and possibly replaced
- Loosen bolts securing rear track control arms
- Apply special tool as shown in illustration to set camber
NOTE:
Adjust camber by turning tool by hand only
- Tighten all bolts securing track control arms to trailing arm and sub frame to 70 Nm (52 ft. lbs.)
IMPORTANT:
Perform final torque of bolts after alignment, with wheels on the ground
- Repeat procedure for opposite side of vehicle
Adjusting Rear Wheel Toe
- Apply special tool as shown in illustration to adjust toe
NOTE:
Adjust toe by turning tool by hand only
- Remove each bolt on mounting bracket -1- one at a time, and replace with new bolt (N 906 484 01)
- Move mounting bracket -1- in the direction of arrows for adjustment
- Tighten bolts to 75 Nm (55 ft lbs.)
Adjusting Front Axle Camber
- Remove nut -arrow- from front control arm
- Attach special tool T 40021 to front control arm
- Screw knurled ring onto stud
- Bring nut on special tool into contact
- Loosen two nuts -arrows- and adjust the camber by turning the nut on the special tool
- Replace nuts -arrows- with new nuts (not in kit) and tighten to 75 Nm (55 ft. lbs.)
- Remove special tool T 40021
- Use new nut (not in kit) and tighten to 75 Nm (55 ft lbs)
Adjusting Front Wheel Toe
- Hold tie rod end -A- and loosen lock nut -B-
- Adjust toe on left and right hand wheels by turning tie rod at -C-
IMPORTANT:
Ensure that the rubber boots are not twisted after turning the tie rods; twisted boots wear out quickly
- Torque lock nut -B- to 50 Nm (37 ft. lbs.); noting that the setting may change slightly after tightening
- If the measured toe is inside the tolerance, the adjustment is correct
- Front end alignment is complete
- Lower vehicle to ground
Track control arm bolts must now be finish torqued
- With wheels on the ground, torque track control arm nuts -1- & -2- on left and right sides of sub frame to 70 Nm (52 ft. lbs.) and turn an additional 90°
- With wheels on the ground, torque track control arm bolts -1- & -2- on left and right sides to trailing arms to 70 Nm (52 ft. lbs.) and turn an additional 90°
- If vehicle has Xenon or high intensity discharge (HID) headlights, proceed to Section H for setting the basic settings for the automatic headlight levelers
- If vehicle has ESP and does not have Xenon or high intensity discharge headlights, go to Section J for setting the basic settings for steering angle sensor (G85)
- If vehicle does not have Xenon headlights or ESP, recall work is complete; remove vehicle from alignment machine and destroy and discard all removed parts