Scotty,
I have a 2018 VW Passat with the 2.0 TSI engine. About 27000 miles on the odometer. The car pulls hard to the right when the wheel is held straight. I’ve had three alignments. Seems the car alignment spot on… Doesn’t drift when I let go of the wheel. But, I have to hold the wheel about 5-10 degrees to the left to go straight at highway speed. If I straighten the wheel, it pulls heavy to the right. I feel like the mechanic isn’t clocking the wheel appropriately. I’ve had it aligned at the VW dealership three times. Help.
Matt
I’ve had it aligned at the VW dealership three times. Help.
That's your problem right there. The help you seek will be at a good independent chassis and alignment shop, not at a dealer or a chain shop that doesn't have sufficient competency to get your steering wheel straight after 3 tries.
I’ve had it aligned at the VW dealership three times
This is your problem right here..
Have it aligned by a professional front end alignment shop, with technicians who know what they’re doing..
Also, how old (and worn) are your tyres? Have you tried swapping them front to back and vv, to check if still pulls?
10deg offset is massive though, for just banked road construction..
Realize that it's electric power steering run by a computer, and aligning it is a bit of a pain!
Go to a shop that knows how to work on VWs (aka definitely not the dealer), and do an alignment there.
these who anything about Volkswagens and EPS know that the steering wheel sensors need to be CALIBRATED!
On most models it's done like this (see video, sometimes requires battery disconnect)
Although more recent ones require a scan tool, there you can also when if the sensor works correctly.
Also, found this online - probably not the case, but it is German engineering at it's finest. 😆
https://www.vwvortex.com/threads/steering-wheel-alignment-issue.7496250/post-105296593
Car prices are high, please get rid of that junker -
The Passat NMS was built for the Chinese market powered by one of the worst powertrains VW has ever built.
But do not forget to replace the DSG fluid, it's a wet clutch design so every 30k-40k.
Since the car doesn't drift when steering wheel is let go, what you're really saying is that the steering wheel is not centered when driving straight. Sounds like the lazy mechanic didn't lock the steering in center position before aligning. Or they didn't do any alignment (just checked to be in spec). Therefore, cocked steering wheel.
