Alignment: Testing and Inspection

Wheel alignment, checking
General
It is always necessary to check alignment of all four wheels to ensure correct driving characteristics.
Otherwise correct vehicle performance is not guaranteed and an off center steering wheel may exist.

NOTE:
^ Perform vehicle alignment only after 1000 - 2000 km (600 - 1200 miles) to allow suspension time to settled.
^ Otherwise precise settings are difficult to reach.





Steering wheel and steering column are marked.
A- Line on steering wheel
B- Punch mark on steering column
These positions must not be changed! Steering rack center position is not ensured otherwise.





Steering columns supplied as spare parts do not have a center punch mark. These spare part steering columns must be marked after vehicle alignment and test drive.
Tightening torque:
Multi-point socket-head bolt 50 Nm (37 ft. lbs.).

Wheel alignment is necessary if any of the following are true.
^ Vehicle is not tracking properly
^ Damage from an accident.
^ Tire wear on one side.








^ Axle components have been damaged or replaced (in table)

Requirements
^ Vehicle at curb weight
^ Fuel tank full
^ Spare wheel and vehicle tools are stowed at correct locations
^ Fluid reservoir for windshield/headlight washer system full.
^ Tire tread depth on each axle should differ no more than 2 mm (0.079 in.).
^ Tires inflated to correct pressure
^ Vehicle aligned, suspension bounced and rocked several times
^ Suspension, steering and linkage checked for wear and damage.
^ Test equipment properly adjusted and attached to vehicle.
^ Do not check vehicle alignment before vehicle has completed (1000 to 2000 km (600 to 1200 miles), to allow coil springs to settle.
^ Sliding plates and turntables (alignment equip.) must not touch an end stop when checking wheel alignment.
^ Adhere to alignment manufactures instructions
^ Check and calibrate alignment equipment once a year.
^ Treat alignment equipment with care.
^ Maximum wheel run-out must be compensated. Otherwise test results will not be correct.
^ Correct toe-in adjustment is not possible without wheel run-out compensation.

NOTE: Carefully follow alignment manufacturer's instructions.





- Install brake pedal support.
- Compensate for wheel run-out
- Lower vehicle and bounce

Alignment, overview
Work sequence must be followed!
1. Adjust camber
2. Check rear axle camber. Camber is not adjustable.
3. Check toe at rear axle, adjust if necessary





Vehicles with front wheel drive
Rear axle is not adjustable.
4. Check toe at front axle, adjust if necessary
5. Verify vehicle suspension factory code

Following applies to all suspension versions
- Check vehicle trim height (zero position), if a measurement is out of tolerance, before adjusting = below

Vehicle trim height, Zero Position
If vehicle is out of specification check trim height (see illustration).
Example: a vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission could stand slightly lower to one side. This is normal due to installed position of components and weight distribution.
^ Check item -a- on both left and right sides, correct if necessary.
It is possible to correct trim height imbalance for front axle by adding weight to top of strut tower and/or adding weight in trunk for rear axle, example: sand bags can be used, approx. 10 kg (22 lb.)

Factory codes, explanation
Various suspension versions are available as optional equipment. These are identified by factory codes.
Vehicle data label lists suspension version factory codes.





Example of vehicle data label
In this example vehicle is equipped with standard suspension 1GC (arrow).
Vehicle data label is located in the following locations:
- Vehicles up to 03.00: In spare wheel recess
- Vehicles from 04.00 (Only Jetta vehicles): Next to spare tire wheel well, near left rear wheelhouse
- In service booklet