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Author Topic: Rear end wander mk5  (Read 2419 times)

Offline Nellyhaggis

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Rear end wander mk5
« on: October 08, 2020, 08:06:05 pm »
Hi,
The rear end is wandering on my golf gt tdi 170.
Only just started to notice it but it’s getting worse.
Bit of background. New Vw rear shocks  about 12 months ago as it was wandering around and the shockers were leaking. Solved the problem.
Also had 4 point laser adjustment done.
It’s got Michelin pilot sports all new and balanced. New rear wheel bearings from Vw also 12 ish months ago.
I’ve had a look underneath and I can’t see anything obvious but wandered if anyone has had this before or if there are any common faults relating to it.
Cheers in advance.


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Offline titchy

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Re: Rear end wander mk5
« Reply #1 on: October 14, 2020, 09:16:15 am »
Have you had rear camber checked?

Offline Nellyhaggis

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Re: Rear end wander mk5
« Reply #2 on: October 14, 2020, 09:28:21 am »
Have you had rear camber checked?
Yes. I’ve had it on the ramp and the front arm bush is knackered along with the others looking old and worn out.
I’ve ordered a poly bush for the front arm and camber adjuster. See how it goes from there.


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Offline LC5F

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Re: Rear end wander mk5
« Reply #3 on: October 14, 2020, 09:32:38 pm »
I would have suggested wheel bearings - but you they should still be good.
Sounds like you have some shot bushes - there are 14 in the rear axle to explore

Offline Nellyhaggis

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Re: Rear end wander mk5
« Reply #4 on: October 14, 2020, 09:35:44 pm »
I would have suggested wheel bearings - but you they should still be good.
Sounds like you have some shot bushes - there are 14 in the rear axle to explore
I’ve checked the bearings and they are fine.
Just the 14? Well this should be fun.


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Offline pudding

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Re: Rear end wander mk5
« Reply #5 on: October 17, 2020, 02:54:36 pm »
Checked the tyre pressures?  I know they're recent but one of them might have a slow puncture.  They're pretty sensitive on tyre pressures, in terms of feel at least.


2007 ED30 | 2009 TDI 140 | 2016 BMW 330D

Offline Nellyhaggis

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Re: Rear end wander mk5
« Reply #6 on: October 17, 2020, 04:42:52 pm »
Checked the tyre pressures?  I know they're recent but one of them might have a slow puncture.  They're pretty sensitive on tyre pressures, in terms of feel at least.
Yes thanks.
Had to drop the whole sub frame in the end to change all the arms. All the bolts stuck solid in the bushes.
Get it tracked this week and see how it goes.


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Offline LC5F

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Re: Rear end wander mk5
« Reply #7 on: October 17, 2020, 08:17:28 pm »
Had to drop the whole sub frame in the end to change all the arms. All the bolts stuck solid in the bushes.
Get it tracked this week and see how it goes.

Sounds just like mine - Haggis suggests you are north of the border?

Wouldn't normally recommend Kwik fit - but for alignment they use Hunter 3d gear, they charge £90 for one off front and rear align or £140 for 2 years - with up to 8 alignments - went for this as its ideal for me with further planed suspension work.

Offline Nellyhaggis

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Re: Rear end wander mk5
« Reply #8 on: October 17, 2020, 10:32:25 pm »
Had to drop the whole sub frame in the end to change all the arms. All the bolts stuck solid in the bushes.
Get it tracked this week and see how it goes.

Sounds just like mine - Haggis suggests you are north of the border?

Wouldn't normally recommend Kwik fit - but for alignment they use Hunter 3d gear, they charge £90 for one off front and rear align or £140 for 2 years - with up to 8 alignments - went for this as its ideal for me with further planed suspension work.
I used to be north of the border in sunny Peebles but now near chesterfield.
I’m going to have a think. I put 3 poly bushes on. Front arm, arb and lower chamber adjuster. See how they go then take it from there.
Always worried about trusting kiwis fit with anything thou!


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Offline LC5F

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Re: Rear end wander mk5
« Reply #9 on: October 18, 2020, 09:18:34 pm »
Always worried about trusting kiwis fit with anything thou!

I wouldn't trust them with anything intensive, sadly my prefered place the machine has been broken since March...I was stuck with them or another place miles away without any soon alignment slots and suspiciously broken card machine.
Having multiple goes at alignment may be an option for you if there are more bushes away - Rear upper & lower control arms were bad on mine, everything solid - but I dont think ARB bushes would cause wander.

Peebles is a nice part of the world, Chesterfield is quite a gear change from there.
Spent quite a lot of time in the Borders - too many fast mad roads - last time I drove the A7 I found it had been de-clawed
« Last Edit: October 18, 2020, 09:27:02 pm by LC5F »

Offline Nellyhaggis

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Re: Rear end wander mk5
« Reply #10 on: October 20, 2020, 02:37:27 pm »
The saga continues.
Rear end sorted.
Front end needs new track roads and ends as they are seized solid.


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Offline carsten

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Re: Rear end wander mk5
« Reply #11 on: October 22, 2020, 08:03:18 pm »
On the early mk5´s the rear camber was quite aggressive, adjusting mine to minimum helped stabilizing my rear end :wink:
Off course that meant replacing all bushings and bolts as they were all corroded to death...

Offline pudding

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Re: Rear end wander mk5
« Reply #12 on: October 31, 2020, 01:58:23 am »
Rear camber isn't too agressive, -1.5 iirc. Front camber is 0.55 stock.

Don't need a lot of static camber at the front as it runs 7 deg caster, so plenty of dynamic camber.

What you do need is consistent geometry left and right at the back for a stable feel at speed.

It's hard to diagnose "rear end wander" when the front has loose tie rods. 

Car suspension is like a table. One loose leg and the and the whole lot feels loose and sloppy.


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Offline probedb

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Re: Rear end wander mk5
« Reply #13 on: October 31, 2020, 07:35:26 pm »
I used to be north of the border in sunny Peebles but now near chesterfield.
I’m going to have a think. I put 3 poly bushes on. Front arm, arb and lower chamber adjuster. See how they go then take it from there.
Always worried about trusting kiwis fit with anything thou!


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Just Tyres in Chesterfield are good, knowledgeable guys if you need a recommendation.