"Can't adjust that..." wheel alignment question

[Deleted member 94519]

Hi -

Took my car to Kwik Fit (I know, swear word in many parts) to have new boots put on our Cupra - four new Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance tyres. As we've only really just bought the car and the previous owner had kerbed the wheels a good few times, thought I'd get it all aligned just so, might as well!

The 'engineers' (loosely termed) did the laser check and the rears were pretty good but they adjusted the toe-in slightly. But the fronts were quite a long way out on all three (toe-in, caster and camber) although in different directions

... which didn't surprise me much, the car had been making a funny drone at 15-25mph and vibrating slightly on the front nearside at 70-ish, and the tyres were wearing unevenly.

What did surprise me was the technician (still loosely termed) saying that SEAT hadn't made caster or camber on the fronts adjustable at all, so although he could fix the toe-in there wasn't anything could be done to fix either of the other two.

Surely that can't be true? My cynical mind suggests they just couldn't be bothered doing any more fiddling (even though Kwik Fit's '4 wheel alignment' actually only includes one 'adjustment' the rest you pay for at £20 each!)

 

[olitaylor07]

Well I have Sportlines on mine and we really struggled to get the camber on one of mine back into specification.

Did he not try at all?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Deleted member 94519]

Nah, he said it couldn't be done, it was a very "computer says no" answer. I just find it extraordinarily hard to believe that SEAT wouldn't have made such basic adjustments possible. AND that Kwik Fit wouldn't want to fleece me for an extra £40, if it was possible.

 

[olitaylor07]

Yeah I suppose. Well we changed all of mine at work but just front right camber I think was right on the limit.

Think it was more Kwik fit couldn't do it more than computer says no lol.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Deleted member 94519]

Yea that was my suspicion as well. Don't suppose there's a guide somewhere I haven't seen as to what adjustment does what? (Not that I could do it without the alignment machine but at least I can argue for a refund from KwikFit! I can't find anywhere where it says 'oh by the way when you pay for a 4-wheel alignment, what we mean is we'll tell you it's NOT aligned but fixing it? That costs extra!')

 

[mike0105]

One garage I took mine too have alignment done used the mk1 Cupra settings! I kept taking it back and complained as they kept saying the rear camber was not adjustable, but out slightly. Eventually they did admit and rectify their mistake, but just goes to show.....

 

[chr1sd]

Theres no camber adjustment or caster adjustment on the fronts. There is a small amount of camber adjustment by moving the subframe, this is how they were set from the factory. Obvious moving it to change camber on one side effects the camber on the other side. Other than that you would need adjustable top mounts.

 

[Deleted member 94519]

I don't think 'slightly out' covers how far out the camber and caster are on mine - the machine was showing red for both adjustments, on both sides.

 

[Deleted member 94519]

Theres no camber adjustment or caster adjustment on the fronts. There is a small amount of camber adjustment by moving the subframe, this is how they were set from the factory. Obvious moving it to change camber on one side effects the camber on the other side. Other than that you would need adjustable top mounts.

Thanks Chris - well, at least that answers it! How odd. Ah well, the drone has gone away anyway, so at least that's something. I'll have to look up how much adjustable top mounts are! Won't the wife be pleased!

 

[chr1sd]

Thanks Chris - well, at least that answers it! How odd. Ah well, the drone has gone away anyway, so at least that's something. I'll have to look up how much adjustable top mounts are! Won't the wife be pleased!

If its that bad you may have suspension bush issues. I had a 2007 focus st2. the front of that was the same, couldnt get the camber / caster right on the drivers side. I fitted poly bushes to all the front suspension arms and that along pulled everything back into spec.

Like i say, you can loosen the subframe and shift it left and right which pushes the lower arms out or in slightly thus changing the camber, but doing it this way, if you add negative camber on one side, it add positive camber to the other.

Mines slightly out of spec on the passenger side, but the subframe has already been moved to its maximum. Never had any uneven tyre wear or drive ability issues though.

 

[betty_swollox]

Theres no camber adjustment or caster adjustment on the fronts. There is a small amount of camber adjustment by moving the subframe, this is how they were set from the factory. Obvious moving it to change camber on one side effects the camber on the other side. Other than that you would need adjustable top mounts.

Precisely

Revolution in gateshead explained this to me when I went to get me alignment done

 

[t121anf]

Anyone know what can be adjusted? Going to get mine done eventually so would be nice to know the mechanics aren't lying.

Though I should be ok as I'll be using Revolution in Gateshead.

 

[chr1sd]

Anyone know what can be adjusted? Going to get mine done eventually so would be nice to know the mechanics aren't lying.

Though I should be ok as I'll be using Revolution in Gateshead.

Rear is fully adjustable. Front is toe adjustable and as above, very slight camber using the subframe.

 

[AlexK1]

If you get stuck with the adjustment and can't find any issues with the suspension components as mentioned above. These could be an option, albeit quite pricey but if it saves tyre wear in the long run may be worth it.

http://www.awesomegti.com/car/seat/...-mk6-golf-jetta-a3-s3-8p-leon-mk2-octavia-mk2


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Stylance]

As mentioned.. Is he using the correct setup? Check your data sheet it should state the model.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[davitt.dd]

Caster definitely isn't adjustable on a cupra (or at least info is not provided by manufacturer) same with similar models of golf's (for obvious reasons). The camber can b adjusted on most cupra's but not all. The technian should be able to show you this via the illustration on the geometry ramp.

 

[Deleted member 94519]

Thanks all - have spoken to AmD and Revolution to see what I might do about it given the lack of stock adjustment. AmD suggested adjustable ball joints as a significantly cheaper and more road-friendly alternative to adjustable top-mounts. Anyone know of any downside to that idea? Also thinking I might as well (if I have to do that anyway) get the suspension bushes replaced just to see if that fixes it...
[Probably going to have to be something for Christmas anyway after having bought the car and a new set of tyres this month!]

 

[chr1sd]

Thanks all - have spoken to AmD and Revolution to see what I might do about it given the lack of stock adjustment. AmD suggested adjustable ball joints as a significantly cheaper and more road-friendly alternative to adjustable top-mounts. Anyone know of any downside to that idea? ]

Adjustable ball joints will effect the front track? would have thought adding camber this way would widen the track and removing it would narrow it. Adjustable top mounts, the track width would stay the same. Not that it will likely cause an issue as some people run wheels spacers. Something to consider though if your already running spacers or wider rims.

 

[Deleted member 94519]

Adjustable ball joints will effect the front track? would have thought adding camber this way would widen the track and removing it would narrow it. Adjustable top mounts, the track width would stay the same. Not that it will likely cause an issue as some people run wheels spacers. Something to consider though if your already running spacers or wider rims.

I'll be honest these are a new area for me. The car is absolutely standard at the moment but that's useful to know, thanks! Can you fit adjustable top mounts on their own to a standard car?

 

[Bignod00]

I've got adjustable ball joints on mine and they're ace.........

My fast road geo setup has been done a few times.....the latest by AKS Tuning in Bedford and this one is a cracker!