Club 80-90 Forums

chuggers72 wrote:Afternoon all,

Recently had a front brake overhaul and new calipers/pads fitted (10 months ago). Past couple of months the van has been pulling to the left - its not a major battle to keep a straight line but it does feel like I have to steer to 1 o'clock. Nipped down a garage to have the tracking checked and they reckon its 4 degrees out and if it was adjusted it would feel no different(?!) - also heard the chap say 'I've not worked on one of these before' so I got out quick!

If this is not a tracking issue any suggestions what else could be problem - I'm no expert but could the steering rack/mounts have anything to do with this?

All comments good and bad appreciate!

Tracking has nothing to do with a brakes overhaul? What else have you had done around the front wheels?

Ralf85 wrote:

chuggers72 wrote:Afternoon all,

Recently had a front brake overhaul and new calipers/pads fitted (10 months ago). Past couple of months the van has been pulling to the left - its not a major battle to keep a straight line but it does feel like I have to steer to 1 o'clock. Nipped down a garage to have the tracking checked and they reckon its 4 degrees out and if it was adjusted it would feel no different(?!) - also heard the chap say 'I've not worked on one of these before' so I got out quick!

If this is not a tracking issue any suggestions what else could be problem - I'm no expert but could the steering rack/mounts have anything to do with this?

All comments good and bad appreciate!

Tracking has nothing to do with a brakes overhaul? What else have you had done around the front wheels?

I've had nothing else done other than the front brakes. I'm going to get her up on the axle stands in the next few days and have a look - see if I can see anything looking loose or worn. With regards to tyre wear - nothing that looks irregular and they seem to be wearing evenly. I can't do a swap from side to side as they are directional tyres - they came with the Merc alloys I put on last year.

Just done a 'quick' 48 hour trip to Snowdonia from Plymouth since putting up the original post a few days back. Checked tyre pressures and went for 34 psi on the front with 40 on the rear (never 100% sure what to go for and seems to be a subject with many answers!!). Did make a small difference and reduced the pull to the left - engine wise she ran like a dream and cruised the 7 hrs each way Just goes to show if you look after the ol' girl she'll look after you!

My westie recommended tyre pressures (which I use) are 39psi on the front and 48psi on the rears, but tyre pressures alone should not cause the problem I guess. Anybody got any other ideas, where nothing else has been changed? Did you hit a wheel against a kerb? That could have caused a problem.

Pressure does seem a little low - I run mine as above with standard tires.

Ralf85 wrote:My westie recommended tyre pressures (which I use) are 39psi on the front and 48psi on the rears, but tyre pressures alone should not cause the problem I guess. Anybody got any other ideas, where nothing else has been changed? Did you hit a wheel against a kerb? That could have caused a problem.

Not aware of hitting the kerb. Tyres have a max loading of 44psi so won't be putting 48 on the rear however will look to get a bit more pressure in the fronts.

Cheers for all input on this chaps.

chuggers72 wrote: Tyres have a max loading of 44psi so won't be putting 48 on the rear .

really, what load rating are the tyres then?

kevtherev wrote:

chuggers72 wrote: Tyres have a max loading of 44psi so won't be putting 48 on the rear .

really, what load rating are the tyres then?

Max load is 730kg.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=396113" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Super link, thanks.

Take the van for a run and once you've stopped, put your hand on the front roadwheels to see if the left is hotter than the right. If it is then your caliper is sticking.
If its ok then I'd have a proper laser aligned 4 wheel geometry check done. This will check camber, castor, kpi, toe and total toe. Good machines, like HPA or Pro-align models will use manufacturers data to compare what your van is reading and then be adjusted accordingly where possible. (some parts cant always be adjusted meaning that part needs replacing)
Of course, all the above is meaningless if your tyres are worn unevenly as no geo.check can compensate for that.

And also, having geometry set up accurately requires balljoints, wishbone bushes or radius arm bushes etc to be in A1 (ideally new) condition. I need to set mine up properly but can't do much more than camber and toe until I've swapped out the radius arm bushes, and even then I'll have to do the lot again Once thats done I'll get the tyre levers out and fit the new set of tyres I've got in the lockup.

Its worth looking along the line of your wheels from the rear and seeing if either front wheel looks like its sitting out at the bottom (camber) compared to the rear wheel. It could be you have issues with wishbone bushes (accute wear) or one of the front wheels camber is way off (worked its way loose or badly adjusted). On the T25 the front wheels are very close to absolute vertical when correct. If one isn't, that would cause it to pull to one side, regardless of toe. You'll also get wear on the inside of the tyre on that particular wheel eventually, so check carefully for signs of tyre wear as that may help pinpoint the prob. If you're having to rest your hand on one side of the wheel all the time (likely if it pulls), you can be certain that one tyre at least is wearing abnormally.

You can get the camber pretty close to correct if you're parked on very level ground (check it IS level). A rough and ready way would be to lay a spirit level on a length of wood on the ground across your vehicle. Then if its close enough (you can even slide layers of plywood or vinyl floor tiles under one of the wheels to get the vehicle level), jack up offending corner and slacken the allen bolt and nut that goes through wishbone bushes at the top and turn the allen key (its a big one by the way) until you get the wheel upright again. You can use a spirit level in a vertical plane, resting the ends on the wheels rim. You may have to keep making adjustments until you get it right, tightening up nut again (55lbs) and then lowering vehicle, rolling forward and backward a few times and readjusting as required. Ideally it wants setting up with the same weight you'd normally have in front seats. If you aim for dead vertical on camber you'll be virtually spot on. By all means have it checked afterwards but you can do an excellent job at home if everything is level.

I measured across my wheel rims and came across a spirit level that was exactly the right size. if not you can cut a piece of wood to span the distance (making a cut out for centre cap if need be) then placing your spirit level against that. It does sound like a camber problem to be honest, particularly if the toe is right and unless you really look for it, you may not even see it.

Camber:

Cheers for the detailed reponses on this (and that is a serious bit of DIY on the Samba link!). I've checked the suspension out in detail and its pretty obvious a couple of parts need changing - I guess until I do this I will have to put up with it! I'll just add them to the list