Hi Scotty,
I have a VW golf that is 3 years old, and the steering wheel has been slightly off center for about a year. I finally went to my local tires/wheels garage to get it aligned and the guy (upon inspection) found that the wheels on the left side are completely misaligned. The camber is off by more than 1.5 degrees, which is apparently a lot according to him. The camber is off so that the wheels are sticking out from the bottom, kind of like this: /==\ instead of |==|. He asked me if I have hit anything but I have never been in an accident (I am also the only person who drives this car) and the car has never hit any curbs. He said that the fix will not be easy because he has to use a process of elimination meaning he'll have to remove/replace suspension parts 1 by 1 such as the struts, the bushings, etc until it is fixed - so it'll take time and cost me a lot of money. So what could have caused this mis-alignment considering it is only 3 years old? And is the guy ripping me off?
Thanks a lot, love the videos and keep em coming!
it has negative wheel camber
@test_tube_baby
If he is a competent mechanic at all he should be able to tell if the ball joints, tie rod ends or bushings are bad or worn. If the car is only 3 years old and you have had it since new you should go to someone else. Is it not still under dealership warranty. I'd take it to a dealer for analysis.
Warranty finished in March
Take your car to someone who specializes in steering, suspension and alignment.
Just a thought. Did you loan your car to a friend before this problem started?
@bc-st
I did not
The misalignment can happen normally if you hit the potholes too. Although it depends on the parts quality and you kind of expect it after couple of years. Go to a good alignment shop to check your car.
A 3 year old car that has been "bad" for a year. How many miles? Did you buy new or used? What did VW say they thought about the problem? Why not ask them?
Why hunt for "outside help" for a fairly new car?
For your local repair shop to only be able to help you by telling you he will use the "hunt-peck" method should tell you to find another shop.
You should first find a proper diagnosis. So far you have no idea of your problem other than the steering wheel is not right and some guy wants lots of money to help you.
The guy is ripping you off.
Is the title a good clean title? I mean was the car totaled and "repaired"? It sounds fishy to me.
@jimz
It is not a written off car, and the warranty is finished. What causes a misalignment other than an accident?
A teenage budding demolition derby driver doing loop-d-loop in the Walmart parking lot?
@jimz
Not helpful