laser alignment worth it if my car has no camber/castor asjustments

Golf1.6

Golf1.6

Golf1.6

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I've come across this discussion a lot, get laser 4 wheel alignment than just tracking because tracking just checks for toe

I have a mk4 golf, so I don't have the camber/castor adjustments on it, does that mean the car shoudln't have any camber/castor or will it still be prone to that from damage/wear&tear on the other parts of the axle system.

A 4 wheel alignment varies from just £60 to £100+ so is pricey, due to the limitations I'm not sure if it's worth paying that much when they can only do a toe check and adjustment which a £20 tracking adjust will be able to take care of.
 
Can be done for less than £60 if you look around.

It's definitely worth it because its the most accurate way of assessing the toe and then getting it dialled in correctly.
 
Hmm, bit shocked that a modernish car like that doesn't even have IRS.

Anyway, since only front toe can be adjusted, don't go paying extra for something else. It is worth getting a 4WA reading though, if it is out of spec then you have some damaged/worn components. If they are using a Hunter or similar then you will get the same full readout regardless of what adjustments you pay for.
 
Selecta tyre do free 4 wheel alignment check if there is one in your area.
They will then tell you if it needs adjusting or not, then you have no obligation to buy, I think they charge £25+VAT per axle although not 100% sure. :)
 
I only pay £31 for a ful 4 wheel at Brittania in Hinckley :D Worth doing that to establish the car alignment, regardless if you can adjust or not.

Clarkey said:
Hmm, bit shocked that a modernish car like that doesn't even have IRS..
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VW got there pants pulled down with the Golf 4 when the Focus Mk1 was lauched with control blade semi IRS avec Richard Parry Jones flavouring and it re-wrote the C segment car expectations.
 
Clarkey said:
Hmm, bit shocked that a modernish car like that doesn't even have IRS.
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Loads of modern cars use a torsion beam rear suspension rather than full IRS, e.g. the FN2 Type R .

Also even if a car does have IRS, that is no guarantee of there being any facility to adjust rear camber or toe without fitting e.g. aftermarket eccentric bolts or bushes.
 
Modernish car buyer probably cares more for interior space over suspension control aswell. Hence the Civic with magic seats is absolutley huge inside.

Interestingly the Civic always led that in regard to chassis. Compare an EG Civic to an Escort... its comical how poor the Escort was but it allows cheap cars for Joe Public... include a Rover 45 in that aswell in terms of OTT chassis links.
 
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Jonnycoupe said:
Modernish car buyer probably cares more for interior space over suspension control aswell. Hence the Civic with magic seats is absolutley huge inside.

Interestingly the Civic always led that in regard to chassis. Compare an EG Civic to an Escort... its comical how poor the Escort was but it allows cheap cars for Joe Public... include a Rover 45 in that aswell in terms of OTT chassis links.
Click to expand...

Those Civic seats look odd to me. Are those spindly fold down legs really strong enough to withstand a crash with an adult sat on it?
 
No IRS on a mk4 Golf.

The only easy to adjust variable is the front toe.

Front camber and castor is adjustable by moving the subframe. If you got the alignment checked you should know what those figures are incase they need to be adjusted

Camber and castor can vary on the front if you have worn bushes or top mounts

the rear will only vary if the rear beam is damaged or a wally in the past has removed the rear beam by unbolting the MOUNTS that hold it to the car. the mounts have three bolts (like the rear trailing arm mount under an E36 Clarkey) and getting it in the right position again after is nearly impossible... so knowing the rear geometry is good too in case you have to adjust it
 
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