Club 80-90 Forums

Hi All,

I've just had my van back from a VW mechanics after having two new front tyres and the tracking done. It was meant to have the camber adjusted but the guy tells me that there is no camber adjustment on these vans. The offside is out a degree or two but the nearside is fine. He tells me that as it's a left hooker this is how it would have been set for the continetental roads and will drive slightly differently over here. The van still pulls slightly to the nearside, which I was told will happen anyway unless I am on a completely flat road, and when I brake the steering wheel pulls over to the left. He says that it will make very little difference to tyre wear & I shouldn't worry about it. Being a little OCD it bugs me that the steering wheel is not centre when driving straight.

He did say that it could be to do with the bushes, but replacing them all is a big job & on a van of this age could open a can of worms.

I wanted to ask the boys & girls in the know at 80-90 if all this I've been told is correct or am I being taken for a ride? The tyre pressures are all correct, and otherwise she drives very comfortably.

Thanks in advance,

Matt

Camber is adjustable.

Hi Tom,

Thanks for the swift reply. He did say that on the older t25 it was but not on the later models. What do I need to look for under the van in order to point out the adjustment?

Matt

Have a look at this, it might help
http://www.brick-yard.co.uk/VehicleSpec ... ometry.htm

There's a wiki for this, includes camber setting
http://wiki.club8090.co.uk/index.php/St ... _Alignment

Thanks for the replies all. It's a real bugger when you don't know what they're (mechanics) talking about! I just wish that I had a Brickwerks near Stafford, although it may be worth the drive just to have peace of mind.

Still not sure of which bit of metal to point out to mechanic though in order for them to adjust it......couldn't fathom it in the links, it seemed to mention which bit for the castor but not camber.

Apologies for sounding dumb here, but I'm no mechanic

Matt

Top wishbone has long "axle" bolt through it with flat sides. There are eccentric washers which work as a cam on either side. Slacken off big bolt and turn with allen key to adjust position of cam washers. This will alter your camber. Retighten bolt holding allen key in correct position and check. Then move van and check again. Simples.

ps If this guy doesn't know that, I would think twice about letting him do it.

As for

and when I brake the steering wheel pulls over to the left.

get him to check your brakes - far more likely cause than steering geometry!

Thanks for that. I agree with you about not letting him do it.........and they're a renowed VW garage as well!!!!!

Will take all these details to another place.

Matt

Hi Guys,

Back again with another question regarding the camber. The VW mech that syas the camber can't be adjusted is now going to take another look, and admitted to not working on many of these vans!!!!!

Anyway, he now says the rear camber can"t be adjusted, or at least he couldn't see anything to adjust it with. Is this true or not? Is the rear adjusted the same as the front?

Thanks in advance.

Matt

I'm pretty sure the rear is not adjustable.

Cool, at least he knows something!

Thanks for all the help.

Matt

Just thought of something though......he says the rear camber is out. Ifyou can't adjust these what do you do? The link to the Brickwerks geometry that was sent ealier in this thread shows the tolerances for rear camber also, but if they can't be changed why does it show this?

I just want to get my head around it before I go back to the mechanic & he tries to bluff me again.

Ta

Matt

Rears are adjustable, you could ask Simon Baxter (Brickwerks) if he can help/advise. He knows more about this than most peeps.
See this thread http://forum.club8090.co.uk/viewtopic.p ... f#p7545016

Looks like both you and your "VW Mechanic" would benefit from a Haynes Manual. It's all in there.

Looks like both you and your "VW Mechanic" would benefit from a Haynes Manual. It's all in there.


I know!!!!! There's a bit like hens teeth thought aren't they? I got one for my Golf Mk2 without any hassle off ebay, but nothing for the van.

I will speak with Simon tomorrow I think.

Thanks again.

Matt