Four Wheel Alignments (TT 44-13-03)

Publication date: 2015-04-03
Reference number: TT 44-13-03

FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENTS

TECH TIPS

Reference Number(s): TT 44-13-03, Date of Issue: April 3, 2015

VOLKSWAGEN:	2012-2015 All Models
GROUP:	44 - Wheels - Tires, Wheel Alignments

Superceded Bulletin(s): TT 44-13-03, Date of Issue: November 8, 2013

SERVICE INFORMATION

2012-2015 All Models - Four Wheel Alignments

April 3, 2015: Update to Model/Year Applicability.

This Tech Tip provides an overview of vehicle four wheel alignment, and important steps that should be followed when performing four wheel alignments.

NOTE: Email a scanned copy of the before and after alignment measurements to VWGoA.Chassis@vw.com, and file the printed copy with the Repair Order. If a Volkswagen Technical Assistance (VTA) ticket was opened, the alignment before and after measurements should be attached, before the VTA is closed. This is required for all alignment check or repairs performed under warranty.

Email must include the following information:

VIN
Repair Order (RO) Number
Mileage (from RO)
Dealer Code

The alignment data must be a legible scanned copy of the original print or screen capture (picture). The recommended formats are PDF or JPEG.

Below are examples of acceptable attachments:

SECTION 1. ALIGNMENT OVERVIEW

TOE - The amount the tires point inwards or outwards when viewing the car from above.

Figure 1

Positive toe (red line) or Toe-in: The tires point inwards towards the center of the vehicle.

Negative toe (blue line) or Toe-out: The tires point outwards away from the center of the vehicle

CAMBER - Angle between the vertical axis of the wheel and the vertical axis of the vehicle when viewed from the front or rear.

Positive (red line): The upper sidewall of the tire is tilted outwards away from the center of the vehicle.

Negative (blue line): The upper sidewall of the tire is tilted towards the center of the vehicle.

CASTER - When viewing a car from the side, the angle of the vehicle's steering axis is defined by drawing a line through the upper and lower ball joints (for a double wishbone front suspension), or through the strut tower mount and the lower ball joint.

Positive (red line): The line leans towards the rear of the car.

Negative (blue line): The line leans towards the front of the car.

Tip:

For additional information on wheel alignment see Self Study Program (SSP) 860103 - Wheel Alignment - Basics.

Toe adjustment

Front and rear toe adjustment procedures are located in the repair manual under, Repair Manual > Chassis > Suspension, Wheel, Steering > 44 Wheels, Tires, Wheel Alignment > General Information.

NOTE: When performing wheel alignment, the steering column must be adjusted to the center tilt position. This is due to steering wheel off set of up to 1.2 degrees from center tilt position of the steering column to the full up or the full down tilt position.

Camber adjustment

Camber adjustments should be made based on the information in the repair manual.

NOTE: For all Volkswagen models EXCEPT Touareg, front camber is NOT an adjustable angle for normal four wheel alignment. The procedures in the repair manual to adjust camber are for body collision only (See note in repair manual). If the sub-frame bolts are loosened, tightened or removed for ANY reason, the bolts MUST be replaced with new bolts. Sub-frame bolts are torque to yield and should never be reused after they are loosened.

Caster Measurement

Caster is not an adjustable angle for all models EXCEPT Touareg.

When performing alignment using the Hunter equipment, after the initial "Before" measurements is displayed, additional steps are required to read the correct caster measurement. Without these additional steps, the equipment may display caster measurements that are out of specification. Please follow the steps below to obtain the correct caster measurements.

Step 1

When the initial "Before" measurements are displayed, scroll down to make additional measurements.

Step 2

Press K3 to select > Make Additional Measurement.

Step 3

Scroll down to select > Frame Angle > Press K4 to select OK.

Tip:

An electronic level (Inclinometer) can be used to measure vehicle frame angle. If a tool is not available, measure the vehicle ride height (Standing height), and if within specification per the repair manual, enter 0.4° for the left and right frame angle.

Step 4

Measure the vehicle frame angle at the door sills using an electronic level (Inclinometer).

Tip:

The frame angle for the car in figure 7 measures 0.9°, where the rear is higher than the front. The nominal frame angle is 0.4° by design and must be subtracted from the measured frame angles.

For example 0.9° - 0.4° = 0.5°

If an electronic level (inclinometer) is not available, measure the vehicle standing height (ride height), and if within specification per repair manual, enter 0.4° for the left and right frame angle

Step 5

Enter the angles in the left and right frame angle fields > press K4 to select OK.

The caster measurement will now read correct. Please note that cross caster measurement will remain the same.

Measuring Vehicle Standing Height and Axle Symmetry (Set Back)

Vehicle ride height and symmetry measurement (Set back) are very important when diagnosing vehicle suspension or drifting/pulling concerns. To make these measurement and have them display in the alignment summary, select K3 > Make Additional Measurement and scroll down to select these measurements.

Standing Height

Measure standing height "a" as shown in figure 9 and enter the values in the alignment tool to have the values displayed in the alignment summary.

Tip:

If the alignment equipment body target accessories are available the vehicle standing height can be automatically captured by the alignment equipment. Please see the equipment manual for details of operation.

Axle Symmetry (Set Back)

Step 1

After selecting "Make Additional Measurements", scroll down and select > Symmetry Measurements/Set Back > Press K4 for OK.

Step 2

Center the front wheels as shown on the monitor. > Press K4 for Ready.

Step 3

The axle symmetry/set back will be displayed in angles. To show angles as Distances > Press K2.

Enter the Rim Width.

Use tire balancer rim width caliper (example shown in figure 13) to measure rim width.

Step 4

Ensure that the correct box is checked depending on the type of wheel clamp spade that is used > Press K4 for OK.

Step 5

Steer the wheels straight ahead as instructed > Press K4 for Ready.

Step 6

Track and wheelbase screen is displayed > Press K4 for OK.

Step 7

The axle symmetry measurement (set back) will now display in distances. Press K3 to print the alignment summary page.