tracking a mk1 cabrio

hi. had car down to local garage to get tracking set... said he could only adjust one side! he messed about and car still not right. does anyone know what to do and what the settings are? cheers simon. ps. has anyone got any of the following parts for a 1990 clipper - them hood plastic trim thingys, with the two studs on where the tonneau cover clips on? the window rubber trims for the exterior of the doors, passenger adjustable mirror?

Probably best to try a different garage, or at least ask for a second opinion from another mechanic at the sam garage. Originally, Mk1 Golfs were only adjustable on one side, VW built them like this and you certainly can adjust them to be accurately tracked! Its possible that afterwards, your steering wheel won't sit straight. You can remove and refit in the straight ahead position, but its still possible it will be a little bit off. This is only really a problem when parking.

I'm a bit worried he fiddled with it but couldn't get it right - its only one adjustment, and he has the alignment tool to look at, so surely you simply turn the adjustable track rod while looking at the alignment reading, then tighten it up, then check it again? Maybe you have wear elsewhere in the steering, or maybe the mechanic doesn't know what he's doing????

i would go get a a 4 wheel laser alignment done, think you can get them done and set up properly for around ?45.00-?50.00, we do them for about ?50.00 and can check everything then, caster ,c camber and the track

cheers kenno

make sure you go where they have a HUNTER machine.

i recently had my car lowered and had to go sumwhere with a hunter.

i remember the guy tellin me he can only adjust the caster on 1 side but then could replace the steering position and make it allright, but did tell me it is very slighlty to the left meanin i will take left turns better than right.

thanks. will need it sorting is worse now than before!! front wheels toe in the same as each other, but not lined up with back now

Just had my Cab done, The laser equipment is brilliant,
They can set the camber on both sides using the cam bolts.
My clipper has track adjustment on one side only but as
our friend says,  when the toe in is set correctly the steering
wheel might be a bit out (1/4 turn on mine), but its a simple
job to straighten that up. Keep smiling J.

Why not have a track rod end which is adjustable fitted to other side, i have done this with both my mk2's C and G reg and my mk1 golf also, easy modification and tracking is more accurate with both sides.
Pete :wink:

The castor angle is not adjustable. This angle determines the strength of the self centering action of the steering. The greater the castor angle the harder it is to deviate from straight ahead steering