Had a little bump

[Dr Forinor 0]

Right, just to explain what happened, was going round a bend on a greasy road, car started to slide, I got scared and lifted off, big mistake I know, lift-off oversteer and basically it ended up with the rear left wheel hitting the kerb.

 

Now, I got it checked out and the brake disc was broken and the axle stub was bent (not the base, just the end of it), and obviously wheel bearing fell to pieces.

 

So, I got new wheel bearings for both rears, new discs and pads for both rears and a new axle stub for the rear left. And since it's been changed, the rear right looks like it has more negative camber than the rear left, and I remember the rear left having as much negative camber as the rear right did, so basically they were mirror images.

 

Now the rear left looks like it has less negative camber, maybe even 0. Is there something else that might be needing checked or might this be needing "bed in" so to speak?

 

Thanks in advance

[carpy25 0]

sounds like you may have bent the rear axle as well

 

 

Rob

[Dr Forinor 0]

That's what I'm thinking, but apparently it was fine :( :?

 

How can I be sure?

[_leon_ 0]

oh bad luck mate. sorry to hear that. not sure how to check for a bent axle - someone will soon though - keep me posted on how you get on.

[A20 LEE 0]

Right, just to explain what happened, was going round a bend on a greasy road, car started to slide, I got scared and lifted off, big mistake I know, lift-off oversteer and basically it ended up with the rear left wheel hitting the kerb.

 

Now, I got it checked out and the brake disc was broken and the axle stub was bent (not the base, just the end of it), and obviously wheel bearing fell to pieces.

 

So, I got new wheel bearings for both rears, new discs and pads for both rears and a new axle stub for the rear left. And since it's been changed, the rear right looks like it has more negative camber than the rear left, and I remember the rear left having as much negative camber as the rear right did, so basically they were mirror images.

 

Now the rear left looks like it has less negative camber, maybe even 0. Is there something else that might be needing checked or might this be needing "bed in" so to speak?

 

Thanks in advance

 

Really bad news but could have been much worse. Lucky escape i'd say. How much did VW charge for the stub axle?

[dazzyvr6 0]

take it for a 4 wheel alignment,they will soon tell you if its bent

[Dr Forinor 0]

Really bad news but could have been much worse. Lucky escape i'd say. How much did VW charge for the stub axle?

 

I bought it from GSF, £42.50 plus VAT as opposed to £137 from VW, hope its not a mistake making the saving on it though...

 

 

EDIT: I take it from the responses that there are no other possibilities other than the axle being bent?

[bristolbaron 11]

How much did VW charge for the stub axle?

 

i can see where this is leading.. :lol:

[bcstudent 0]

Who did the work and what equipment do they have? I'd be inclined to agree with dazzyvr6 and get the alignment checked to be sure.

[Riley 0]

sh1tter m8,sorry to hear about that :(

 

i reckon the rear beam is all it can be...hope you sort it quickly/easily enough.maybe get a little spirit level on both rear wheels to get a rough idea,should show a definate problem though.

 

full alignment check should do the trick as said too.

 

Neil.

[Dr Forinor 0]

Anyone know of any places in Dundee that do a 4 wheel alignment? Or would any garage have them?

 

Honestly, ever since I found out it might be the rear axle, I've been on such a downer, who would have thought that a car can put you in such a mood... :(

[Dr Forinor 0]

full alignment check should do the trick as said too.

 

Neil.

 

Do the trick as in sort it out or as in show what the fault is?

[Dr Forinor 0]

Who did the work and what equipment do they have? I'd be inclined to agree with dazzyvr6 and get the alignment checked to be sure.

 

It was an Audi and BMW specialist garage that did the work.

[Riley 0]

full alignment check should do the trick as said too.

 

Neil.

 

Do the trick as in sort it out or as in show what the fault is?

 

sorry m8,it will show up a definate problem.im pretty sure the beam will need replacing...cant think of anything else to throw it out after replacing the bits you have.

would be worth replacing the rear beam bushes when you get around to sorting it too.

 

cars eh :cry: stick with it m8 :)

 

Neil.

[dinkus 10]

Most bodyshops will either have or know who does have a proper 4-wheel alignment rig that lines up the rear wheels with the chassis, then the fronts with the rears.

 

Don't go to somewhere like Kwik Fit or ATS tho - they just have a 2-wheel alignment rig which simply lines the front wheels up with the rears... not a lot of use if the rear wheels are on the piss to start with.

 

You can adjust the front camber, so could put that right if it was out, but I don't think you can adjust the rear, so if it's not right, then it's new axle time :(

 

I still have one sitting in me garage if you need it tho ;)

[craigowl 0]

Sorry to hear about your prang Dr F - hope you get straightened out, as it were.

 

Best Regards.

[Furkz 0]

/\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\

as above

[Dr Forinor 0]

Just took it to a garage to get the 4 wheel alignment done and they couldnt do it, they couldnt get the equipment on top of the wheels underneath the arches 'cos it was to low and then he said to me;

 

"The standard settings wouldnt matter anyway 'cos you have it lowered, the settings have all changed and we wouldnt know what to set it to"

 

I'm stuck guys, I wanted to get the wheel alignment done anyway, even if I have to get the axle etc changed, I'll still need to do after its all changed to make sure everything is sitting right. What should I do now?

 

Let's assume I do get everything changed, how do I get around the problem of the car being "too low" and what settings should they use?

 

And do I get the axle changed or not?

 

EDIT: Got a quote from VW for the accelerator cable coming in at £41 plus VAT, apparently they changed it over in 1995 and I have the later version which is the more expensive version. Anyone know if they can be had for cheaper elsewhere, (bearing in mind I dont want to skimp on quality) ?

[_leon_ 0]

that garage is talking mince. they did mine less than a week ago and mine is lowered to the same. i had to have mine reversed on due to the low front (your splitter should not cause the same issue). Not sure about the different setting bit - can someone clarify?

 

I would try and find somewhere else - possibly try calling a garage you use and ask where they would recommend. Then you can decide on the axle - basically - dont take that garages word as final.

 

Does gsf or euro car parts do the cable?

[Dr Forinor 0]

Yeh, will try another garage, see what they say.

 

Last time I checked gsf or euro car parts, I dont remember them having it, but will check again.

 

P.S. My car is lowered by 40mm if that makes a difference to the settings.

 

 

EDIT: Just gsf and they dont have it, euro car parts have it for £25.70 plus VAT, but none in stock. Anyone got any experience with the accelerator cable from ECP?

[Dr Forinor 0]

And now I have just noticed that my front right is slightly lower than my front left... I mean wtf, why would it be like that??? :(

[Riley 0]

sounds like the garage couldnt be ar$ed making an effort,i hate that :x

 

its true that the settings will be out,but...if you can get it checked you will still be able to see a consistancy or lack of with the bent beam.

 

they could probably manage to get the equipment on by jacking the car up/shuftying the equipment on/and then lowering it back down.

 

Neil.

[Kevin Bacon 5]

Aren't Star performance in Dundee? They're good with VWs.

 

It does sound like the trailing arm has bent, possibly were the stub axle bolts to at best, or the whole arm has twisted at worse. Easily done when smacking a kerb.

 

A mate's Pug 205 was written off through kerb damage, the floor pan bent!!

 

All is not lost though. You can shim the bottom of the stub axle to get the camber right again, providing the trailing arm isn't too distorted.

VW sell them and AP Racing sell them aswell if VW claim otherwise. You just need a selection of thin stainless washers really.

 

And the front offside is lower than the nearside because of the engine's weight, don't panic, it's normal!

[Riley 0]

All is not lost though. You can shim the bottom of the stub axle to get the camber right again, providing the trailing arm isn't too distorted.

VW sell them and AP Racing sell them aswell if VW claim otherwise. You just need a selection of thin stainless washers really.

 

ahhh,was gonna suggest washers,but thought it'd sound a bit botchy :oops: didnt realise vw/ap did them! 8)

 

Neil.

[craigowl 0]

Star Performance are in Kirkcaldy, I believe. About an hour and a bit from Dundee. I would go to somebody like them, though, with this problem.

They are very highly regarded.