R32North Posted October 17, 2006 Report Share Posted October 17, 2006 ** MKV Golf GT TDi, 4MO, 55 plate ** Ok, so lately I noticed that the rear left (near side) of the car is sitting a higher than the rear right side (off-side) regardless of where I've parked; street, drive, at work, Morrisons car park, etc. So, I took a trusty length of wood (to mark), pen and tape measure and made some measurements from the ground up to the start of the wheel arch, straight through the centre line of the alloy, and did the same from the lip of the alloy to the high point on the wheel arch. I took measurements in 3 locations outside my house; street, parking bay and on the drive and parked the car in both directions to compensate for ground level effects. Suffice to say on average the rear near-side is 13.3mm (over 1/2") higher in all situations than the off-side rear, where as the fronts are only 1.5mm different at the max, in most cases the fronts were to close to call. Anyone with some tech suspension knowledge give me something to go on as the car is booked into VW on Thursday, but lately I've lost confidence in them and suspect I'll get the "its within tolerances" response - which is surely can't be! Thanks ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt R Posted October 17, 2006 Report Share Posted October 17, 2006 Did you buy it new? Possibly still got transit blocks in one side? Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R32North Posted October 17, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 17, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Did you buy it new? Possibly still got transit blocks in one side? Matt [/ QUOTE ] Bought 2nd hand with 14k on the clock. Hasn't been serviced, etc, but was checked over by VW before I took ownership. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wobby Posted October 17, 2006 Report Share Posted October 17, 2006 Could you have broke a spring? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mulkbear Posted October 18, 2006 Report Share Posted October 18, 2006 Could be any number of things, but no way is over 13mm of differences with in tolerances, i would suspect a broken spring or odd rated springs. Never known it to be anything else and i doubt it being a suspension chock as they are non fitted on the rear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R32North Posted October 18, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 18, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Could be any number of things, but no way is over 13mm of differences with in tolerances, i would suspect a broken spring or odd rated springs. Never known it to be anything else and i doubt it being a suspension chock as they are non fitted on the rear. [/ QUOTE ] Had a look under the rear today (wheels off). Couldn't see any damage to the springs, bushes, nothing getting in the way, nothing bent, etc. Was at Morrisons just now and they have a very level car park (new store, smooth tarmac), so I did theold fingers between wheel and arch. You can get 3 fingers under the right side and 4 figers with a smidge of freedom under the rear left. Just need to stand a few back on either side and you can see its not level. Car is in tomorrow to be looked at. Will update when I know more... thanks MB !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wobby Posted October 18, 2006 Report Share Posted October 18, 2006 Did you check the front springs? I had a front spring broke, about a 6" piece. The piece fell off and the spring dropped a fraction. Could only tell under close inspection. I spent ages under the back as it looked wrong! If a front corner is down slightly it lifts the diagonal rear corner up slightly. Thats IMO and i could be wrong Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mulkbear Posted October 18, 2006 Report Share Posted October 18, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Did you check the front springs? I had a front spring broke, about a 6" piece. The piece fell off and the spring dropped a fraction. Could only tell under close inspection. I spent ages under the back as it looked wrong! If a front corner is down slightly it lifts the diagonal rear corner up slightly. Thats IMO and i could be wrong [/ QUOTE ] That what i was thinking but there is only 1.5mm difference on the front suspension Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R32North Posted October 18, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 18, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Did you check the front springs? I had a front spring broke, about a 6" piece. The piece fell off and the spring dropped a fraction. Could only tell under close inspection. I spent ages under the back as it looked wrong! If a front corner is down slightly it lifts the diagonal rear corner up slightly. Thats IMO and i could be wrong [/ QUOTE ] Didn't check under the front, but i did the same measurement test on all 4 corners, and the fronts are within 1.5mm of each other regardless of where I parked. The thing I've noticed most is the fact that it feels like it sits flatter on hard right turns and more lean on similar left turns. There is a nice consistent corner not far from my house which shows this difference when you go around it in both directions......... maybe some Eibach goodies will resolve the problem! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R32North Posted October 18, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 18, 2006 Beat me to it MB. Edit, heres the results of my measurements (anal I know, but I need to be sure) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mulkbear Posted October 18, 2006 Report Share Posted October 18, 2006 Sorry six degrees but i think that table is taking it one step to far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R32North Posted October 19, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Sorry six degrees but i think that table is taking it one step to far. [/ QUOTE ] Possibly, but I needed to make sure I had worked it out right. I wasn't going to go to VW with an issue like this and not have done my homework..... I use Excel for everything by the way!! Anyway, suffice to say VW didn't find anything wrong, which I suspected would be the case even tho when parked in their car park on pretty flat ground you can see the difference - tho that doesn't count apprently. Well, I'm going to add this to the list of issues I have with the car which totals 7 now, and I'm getting a call tomorrow from VW to see about chnaging the car as I've totally lost all confidence it it. I have 13 year old Audi with better build and less issues than this car!!!! VW losing another customer I think - BMW perhaps! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rustynuts Posted October 19, 2006 Report Share Posted October 19, 2006 [ QUOTE ] and I'm getting a call tomorrow from VW [/ QUOTE ] Are you indeed? Well, we'll wait and see on that score. Ten Groats says it doesn't happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R32North Posted October 19, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2006 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] and I'm getting a call tomorrow from VW [/ QUOTE ] Are you indeed? Well, we'll wait and see on that score. Ten Groats says it doesn't happen. [/ QUOTE ] Ten groats and a sheckle says does.... its the Business Manager who is a friend, so I'm pretty sure he'll call, as he has done so in the past. If it was any old sod from VW then I know I'd be calling them many times (like today trying to get through to service dept). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TP27 Posted October 19, 2006 Report Share Posted October 19, 2006 Nightmare Brett. Seven issues with the car !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R32North Posted October 19, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Nightmare Brett. Seven issues with the car !! [/ QUOTE ] Sorry six, although I thought it was seven, maybe I can count! - Suspension - Vibrarion under acceleration - brakes; soggy / spongy feel (thats normal apprently) - Elec folding mirrors randomly don't unfold - Wind whistle / door gap - oil consumption - 0.5l in 1200 miles !!! I really like the car its a nice drive, lots of goodies, great driving position, nice place to be, good stereo, subtle looks, 4WD, etc but VW build quality and VWs lack of desire what-so-ever to address my concerns, ie "its within tolerances", or "nothing we can do about that" responses and making me think twice about VW. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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