Galco

Does anyone have access to the specs for alignment for our D3?

I'm trying to settle an issue with the dealer. They performed an alignment but did it to Standard Suspension specs. However, my D3 has Sports Suspension. The dealer is telling me the specs are the same for the Standard and Sport suspension. Since the sport sits 20mm lower than the standard suspension set-up, I'm not so sure that is correct. When I've done the alignments at other non-dealer shops they did show me there are differences between Sport and Standard. Dealer is trying to say no - they are the same. Google search was of much help.

Can anyone provide the proper specs for both Standard and Sport so we may compare?

Thanks much in advance.

mishar

Your dealer is right since camber can't be adjusted:

Galco

Thanks! I believe its Caster that can't be adjusted, while Camber is adjustable. But I often get those confused. Found the image below which makes me believe Camber is adjustable. Caster, not so much.

Either way, Mishar as usual, your information is timely and spot on, thank you very much.

mishar

Front caster and camber can't be adjusted on A8/S8 D3. Camber can be evened by shifting the frame.

Rear camber is adjustable and caster doesn't apply.

TSHong

Mishar is correct. You can do a subframe shift to change camber but are you having some issue with your camber?

Galco

Yes, car is pulling to the right. Changed upper control arms and ever since has pulled right. Had alignment done 3-4 times at 2 different independent shops before finally giving in to the dealer for $260.

Picking up the car today and will advise the group if the problem was resolved, thereby justifying the extra $$$/value of the dealer...

mishar

If car is pooling to one side steering rack has to be centered and fixed in that position by a special bolt before performing alignment. If it is not centered there is a slight difference in hydraulic support and it pools to one side. This came from ELSA. Dealer has it.

TSHong

The only alignment angle that really effects pulling would be caster angle. What is the caster angle of your front?

Ask the dealer for the alignment printout that shows your settings.

Camber could help in pulling if one side was real negative and the other side was real positive along with a large caster split. In reality camber will not cause a pull.

If your front caster angles are within specs, tires are usually the culprit. cross rotate the front tires only and if it pulls in the opposite direction, it's definitely the tires causing a radial tire pull.

MP4.2+6.0

especially if you say you also changed control arms. If an edge of one of the fronts is basically toast, you can get a pull. Saw it on my 2000 A6/C5 4.2 with a chunked off inside edge on one of them--following a premature (Meyle) control arm bushing failure. Sometimes you can rotate it to the rear if it is structurally ok, but it can still affect the feel some.