track & camber set up

After getting my strut mounts, new springs, callipers I needed to find someone to set my camber and alignment. After trawling many garages I reluctantly returned to kwikfit as their kit is very good, I remain unconvinced at the operators.  

We managed to get the wheel alignment right,but camber was 8degrees out and in need of replacement bolts according to tech,as the old bolts were preventing the correct adjustment. Is this correct? The car feels bad, steering doesn't centre and I've got ha'penny turning to the right and bus like lock to the left !

Can I still get new strut mount bolts from the dealer and will this permit full adjustment? Then I'll take it elsewhere to get sorted correctly. Any one in Scotland can recommend a garage with the right equipment and know-how?

Thanks 
 

Typical large franchise mentality. You can get MK1 camber dialed into without camber bolts. Mine is running regular stainless bolts without the eccentric washer and it's fine. I've set mine at home with an angle app on my phone.

As for 8 degrees out? Are you sure? Is that across both wheels or just one?

Find a better shop. Not sure where you are but UK Tyres Online Cheap Car Tyres Shop | Blackboots Wheels in Motion are about as good as you can get.

Thanks jayc, I've got my car booked into progrip in Larbert, jockland. 

Yes, 8.16 out at nearside 6.05 offside. 

I do need camber bolts which are high tensile and power flex sell them. Ebay to the rescue once again. 

Hopefully this will improve the matter. Actually cheaper than kwikfit also, but operated by an individual with the necessary skills. 

Given that the golf official specs are pretty much no camber if you're running 6 and 8, whether positive or negative you'd have noticed the wheels looking decidely wonky.

I ran 7 dgeree (on purpose) on a  previous car and people would stop me saying my axle was bent!

rule number 1. NEVER go to kwik fit.

kwik fit and halfords are for people that don't know.

8 degrees sounds an awful lot.

i just fitted new struts / springs , top mounts etc..

the adjustment is pretty easy, your bolts must be completely daffodil if they can't use them for adjustment.

zorg said

rule number 1. NEVER go to kwik fit.

kwik fit and halfords are for people that don't know

I know! We had a little bit of a stand off in the waiting area when the 'chief tech' advised he didn't need me to tell him how to do his job, after he advised that my bill would be a couple of hundred quid as the full suspension needed stripped down as the Camber adjustment for golf's were cam bolts at the strut mount! 

I bit my tongue and politely requested that he done the alignment only and I'd get the camber later  . And all I got was attitude because I told them not to burst another steering rack gaitor! 

I guess it serves me right and I do (should) know better! Convenience and accessibility rarely realises best results. 

Nevertheless, it's Friday, I'm going to oban on bike tonight, Saturday is household chores and Sunday cumbria vag in the golf!  , with the funny steering until Tuesday! 

Oh, and it's very sunny   

its been nearly 25 years since i stepped across a kwik fit doorway.

just a teen who didn't know any better.

i wanted front brake pads fitted to my audi 80.
i came back later with them wanting over 300 quid (a lot back then) they basically said every brake on the car needed replacing including the hand brake cables.

i just said put the wheels back on and i drove away. never again.

the horror stories i've heard about these guys is chilling.

enjoy your trip!, i'm up in inverness btw

Either go to a specialist or do the camber yourself then get the tracking done as if you adjust the camber you might upset the tracking. You need to losen both bolts to adjust the camber.
Guide on how I adjusted mine myself, you can get a camber tool if you wish.
http://sciroccoregister.co.uk/carforum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=16387

camber tool.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Home-Check-Your-Tracking-DIY-Camber-Gauge-Tool-Magnetic-/141171633685?pt=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item20de7c2e15

 

if i were you mate id just get calling a few of the local tyre fitting shops around where you live thats what i did
find someone that is using a proper laser alignment machine ( hunter hawkeye ) most of the bigger garages around where i live would only do toe and didn't know anything about castor or camber i found a small tyre fitting garage that charges £50 i think it was for castor camber and toe i think we set my gti for 1deg camber

good luck
jon 

Think I got my new camber bolts from either Crazy Quiffs or VW. Either way you can get them and cheap

A decent local tyre place will sort camber out. Just speak to them first about booking in, so they don't have to rush it. 

I use Ladybank Tyres Craig. The garage in Ladybank. 

They are spot on. 

the tech was right though, one of the bolts is (should be!!) eccentric for adjusting the camber, the other is a standard bolt.  However these work on a lip on the strut, if yours doesnt have this lip then it'll make the adjustment a bit more difficult

apparently the adjustment range of the bolts is about 2 degrees:
http://workshop-manuals.com/volkswagen/golf-mk1/running_gear/wheels_tyres._axle_align/wheels_and_tyres/checking_wheel_alignment/

if you install 2 sets this will increase it, and/or use thinner shank camber adjustment bolts

edit: heres a good pic showing the lip and the slotted hole the upper eccentric bolt goes in:
http://jonnys-speedandcustom.co.uk/communities/9/004/008/033/939/images/4538751522.jpg

Thanks for the tips guys, I'd booked my car into progrip in Larbert and the guy done a sterling job, but raised my concerns further about the state of the adjustment that kwikfit left. The camber bolt had stripped threads and wouldn't tighten, hence why I'm sliding about in the wet!  I shudder to think what they have let many others drive away with poorly set up cars! 

Ever wondered how people manage to crash on an otherwise straight section of motorway? I'd wager that they all have a kwikfit receipt in their glovebox?! I am actually angered by these idiots. A report to the trading standards will be lodged. More dangerous than joyriders and drunks behind the wheel! 

Might try them myself Craig :-) for the cabby !!

I only trust any tyre places to fit tyres to wheels and that's it, I even just take the wheel in, off the car as they usally jack the car up in the wrong place, how many cars have you seen with crushed sills where they have missed the jacking point and none of them seem to have the rubber bush on top of there trolly jacks to proctect the cars stone chip paint!
One classic place I've seen them try to jack up my Mk1 years ago is on the box section running under the floor so I quicky stopped them and that's why I take the wheels off but I'm lucky to have another set to use.
Glad your cars all sorted and set up right now, I expect you noticed the differance straight away.

Double post