A First Post: Alignment question
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Audiworld Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 92
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A First Post: Alignment question
Hello everyone,
I bought a '99.0 A4 2.8QMS in June, and have been reading the forums quite ferociously since then, but this is my first posting.
Cut to the chase: I've been working with a friend on replacing all of the front CA's, TRE's and sway bar links. The Tech article writeup has been a life-saver, but I am confused as to what sort of alignment I need to have done after everything is replaced.
I spoke to a mechanic at a local tire shop (I'm in Bozeman, MT). He said that the Audi/VW 4-link suspensions are very difficult to align because they need special equipment, or a lot of trial and error to get the camber and caster correct.
I haven't seen anything as I'm installing the new parts that looks to be an adjustment for camber and caster. I only see the toe-in adjustment on the TRE's. And with all the jostling around you have to do to get the CA's to fit where they're supposed to, I was under the impression that the only thing that changes is the toe-in. I don't want to be paying for something to be adjusted that shouldn't have changed at all.
Can someone please un-confuse me?? Also, should I be taking the car to the dealer to have it aligned, or will any alignment shop do?
Thanks a lot,
I bought a '99.0 A4 2.8QMS in June, and have been reading the forums quite ferociously since then, but this is my first posting.
Cut to the chase: I've been working with a friend on replacing all of the front CA's, TRE's and sway bar links. The Tech article writeup has been a life-saver, but I am confused as to what sort of alignment I need to have done after everything is replaced.
I spoke to a mechanic at a local tire shop (I'm in Bozeman, MT). He said that the Audi/VW 4-link suspensions are very difficult to align because they need special equipment, or a lot of trial and error to get the camber and caster correct.
I haven't seen anything as I'm installing the new parts that looks to be an adjustment for camber and caster. I only see the toe-in adjustment on the TRE's. And with all the jostling around you have to do to get the CA's to fit where they're supposed to, I was under the impression that the only thing that changes is the toe-in. I don't want to be paying for something to be adjusted that shouldn't have changed at all.
Can someone please un-confuse me?? Also, should I be taking the car to the dealer to have it aligned, or will any alignment shop do?
Thanks a lot,
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 17,137
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caster & camber are fixed.....
you can adjust the camber by moving the sub-frame but, it only makes the camber on both sides equal, it doesn't change the total camber. there are bushing sets which allow 1° of adjustment but they may not fit some control arm sets. there are also aftermarket upper arms which offer more adjustment. read the faq.
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 144
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1st ... find someone who knows how to work on B5 Audi's
My Advant came with the inside edge of both front tires wore out and pulled to the right, an obvious camber problem. The TRE's were shot so after I replaced them it was time to find an alignment shop. What I did was just walk up to the guy who was in the process of doing an alignment on another car and asked "Do you know how to adjust the camber on my A4 Audi?". After one blank stare, one "We don't work on Audi's" I finally got the answer I was looking for.... "Sure, you just move the motor", then I walked into the office, got a quote for $55 and set up an appointment with the Tech I just talked to. I watched them do the alignment (which didn't take very long) they explained to me that it was impossible to get the camber perfect but they made some other adjustments to compensate for it. What ever they did was perfect, the car goes straight and true. It will take time to see if the tires are wearing evenly, but right now I like it.
Thread Starter
Audiworld Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 92
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Figures...The quote to do all the suspension work plus rotors and pads was $1000 (labor only)...
Thanks for the help, I'm hoping my camber/caster are alright how they are. I really don't know because I haven't driven the car with the suspension actually functioning the way it's supposed to...LOL.
Thread Starter
Audiworld Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 92
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Thanks for your help...I read the FAQ entry, but I (naively) assumed it was only talking about...
Aftermarket options for fully adjustable suspensions. I found this post today though, makes a lot more sense now.<ul><li><a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/a4/msgs/2699429.phtml">https://forums.audiworld.com/a4/msgs/2699429.phtml</a</li></ul>
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