Volkswagen Golf Service & Repair Manual: Necessity of wheel alignment, torsion beam axle

Volkswagen Golf Service & Repair Manual / Running gear, axles, steering / Wheels, tyres, axle align / Wheel alignment / Necessity of wheel alignment, torsion beam axle

Wheel alignment is necessary if:

The vehicle does not handle properly.

Vehicle has been involved in an accident and components have been renewed.

Axle components are removed or renewed.

Tyres wear on one side.

Components have been renewed

Front axle component was renewed.	Alignment necessary		Rear axle component renewed	Alignment necessary
	Yes	No		Yes	No
Lower suspension link		X	Shock absorber		X
Bonded rubber bush for suspension link		X	Coil spring		X
Wheel bearing housing	X		Axle beam		X
Track rod/track rod ball joint	X
Steering rack	X
Subframe		X
Suspension strut		X
Anti-roll bar		X → Remark

¹⁾	Prerequisite: the subframe and brackets were fixed in position before removing → Chapter.

Components removed and installed

Front axle component removed and reinstalled	Alignment necessary		Rear axle component removed and reinstalled	Alignment necessary
	Yes	No		Yes	No
Lower suspension link		X → Remark	Shock absorber		X
Wheel bearing housing		X	Coil spring		X
Track rod/track rod ball joint	X		Axle beam		X
Steering rack		X
Subframe		X → Remark
Suspension strut		X
Anti-roll bar		X → Remark

²⁾	Prerequisite: the subframe and brackets were fixed in position before removing. → Chapter

Wheel alignment procedure

Always adhere to the following procedure! Note The vehicle must always be in unladen condition when measuring wheel alignment &# ...

Necessity of wheel alignment, multi-link suspension

Wheel alignment is necessary if: The vehicle does not handle properly. Vehicle has been involved in an accident and comp ...

Other materials:

Changing headlights over from driving on left to driving on right (gas discharge headlights with dynamic high beam control and LED daytime running light)
If a right-hand drive vehicle is driven in a left-hand drive country, or vice versa, the headlights must be converted. This is necessary in order to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic with the asymmetric low beam headlights. Note ...

Changing headlights over from driving on left to driving on right (gas discharge headlights)
If a right-hand drive vehicle is driven in a left-hand drive country, or vice versa, the headlights must be converted. This is necessary in order to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic with the asymmetric low beam headlights. Note ...

Leaks or internal damage (e.g. noises or lack of power)
– Drain refrigerant circuit. – Remove air conditioner compressor. Note In the event of internal damage (to air conditioner compressor), purge with R134a refrigerant → ...