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Hello guys, right I got a issue, after doing my coil overs its been a few months and I purchased some part worn tyres last month and this month they have run down on the inner side of the tyre of the drivers and roughly about the wide of the tyre of the passenger side, now today I took her to get the camber and toe sorted out on a hunter Hawkeye machine, the tracking was way out and the screen flashed, which the guy explained meant it was bad, and it felt bad as it felt like power steering when it didn't have power steering and in the wet the car was scary to drive, well after about a hours work of adjusting the camber and freeing the trackrods the results from the Hawkeye came out good, but as I left the steering when going straight still tilts to the left, now before all this when I did the coil overs I did take the steering off and level it up straight when the tracking was out, so could it be now my steering need to be put back again now the wheels are straight, but saying that the guy locked the steering in place as he did the alignment, so I'm abit confused why its still going to the left, the camber and toe on the print out are green but caster was red, so could this be it or the camber and toe are the main things for the steering to be straight, the car drives much better and feels like a heavy steering, but the steering wheel is on the left when going straight, all help appreciated in advance  

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Golfs only have one adjustable track rod end so the steering wheel is always out and needs taking off and moving if the tracking is adjusted.

The steering wheel needs matching to the correct wheel alignment not the other way around.

Also of its still wearing the badly worn tyres it will never feel right.

1983 Mars Red 1.8 Golf GTI
1987 Alpine White 1.8 Clipper Cabriolet

The trouble with doing nothing is that you never know when you are finished.

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What about the camber bolts? if they're not set correct then you're up the creek without a paddle…

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Camber was set but was not adjusted  to stock it has slight negative but still passable on the hunter system, I went back to the garage and he said as your tracking was very bad the tyres have worn so said once I get the new tyres fitted, if it still not right to bring her back but as explained the steering will need to be adjusted but it was drifting left so the guy said that would be tyres, whilst adjusting the track rod gaiter is twisted around the shaft, he said this was due to it being out so much and I suspect the 35 year old gaiter must be stuck on to the rod do when he adjusted it i think it just span with the rod, its not split or torn, would this be ok to drive as I don't want to open her up to straighten the gaiter and realise I have another issue to deal with thanks guys,

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If you took the steering wheel off before to get it straight it's properly in the wrong place.
2 options if you have adjustable track rods on both ends of the steering wheel (you will be very lucky if you have the original fixed track rod end VW fitted when the car was brand new)

1. take it off again and put it back on straight and leave it.

 2. What you should of done before you took the car in but you may be lucky and it's OK is centralize the steering rack, lift both front wheels off the floor, count the turns from center to each full lock then fit the steering wheel back on so it's in the middle. I think mine is 2 1/4 each way but don't quote me on that.
You may find if you remove the steering wheel and put it on straight it's in the middle anyway.

I'm surprised the garage did not mention this when you booked it in?
If you don't mine me asking how much did they charge for the camber and tracking adjustment?

1988 Mk1 Golf GTi Cabriolet 1.8cc DX, K-jet. Daily drive. 317,000 miles and counting
1978 Mk1 Scirocco GLS 1.6cc FR, Webber carb. Weekend toy.

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So would it just be my steering that will need re positioning, the garage is quite reputable, WIM-wheels in motion, so they do know their stuff I believe, I paid £72, others were close to £100, and and some where cheaper but didn't have a clue, these guys had more knowledge about it so I went to them, so would you guys recommend the steering be repositioned, the tyres are shot and inside is worn on drivers and passenger side its worn all across the band, the guy at the garage said tyres could be the reason why its drifting to left due to the way they worn when tracking was out, he said I might find it improve, when the new tyres are fitted but if it doesn't to bring it back but as mentioned it could be just repositioning steering as the print out suggested the camber and toe are correct

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Yes just reposition the steering wheel so it's straight.

If you can, count the turns from straight ahead to full lock each way, if a big difference you can just re set the tracking so you have the same amount of turns each way, it won't make any difference to the camber.

Price sounds about right for a full set up, I paid about that and the garage I took mine to mentioned the centralizing of the steering rack before I took it to them as I had took it all apart during the restoration.

1988 Mk1 Golf GTi Cabriolet 1.8cc DX, K-jet. Daily drive. 317,000 miles and counting
1978 Mk1 Scirocco GLS 1.6cc FR, Webber carb. Weekend toy.

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Thanks mark I will get the tyres done then do the steering, so basically should be the same turns both ways, I does drive much better and I'm not leaving brown marks in my trousers when it rains, they did say to bring her in if it still same after tyres, Il see how it goes, also would re-position the steering will let you guys know how I get on thanks  
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