MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Mk5 General Area => Topic started by: breeze on December 10, 2022, 02:23:04 pm

Title: Increasing front camber - factory top mounts
Post by: breeze on December 10, 2022, 02:23:04 pm
Is there any play at all with the bolt holes for the factory top mounts? I’m talking about the front of the car. In some cars there is a decent amount of play at the bolt holes.

Aware that there are lots of other options (adjustable top mounts, camber bushes, adjustable arms, adjustable ball joints etc).
Title: Re: Increasing front camber - factory top mounts
Post by: ROH ECHT on December 10, 2022, 05:52:44 pm
There's very little clearance. If you loosen the top mounts and push them inward, hold and tighten them...you won't exceed the -0.50° ±0.50° spec by much. You may get it into the -1.00° to -1.20° range...maybe a bit more.
Title: Re: Increasing front camber - factory top mounts
Post by: breeze on January 23, 2023, 08:25:47 pm
So… went to get alignment done. Long story, could not get the job finished because one of the offset washers on one of the rear arms had rounded. So I need to go back.

At this point my front and rear subframes are fixed using locating collars.

When on the ramp I noticed that the front left wheel was -1.25 and the front right was -0.75. Not exactly that but very close. -1.24 and -0.76 or along those lines.

Before I got back I am going to loosen the front right top mount and try and get it as far inboard as possible. With the collars in the subframe that feels like my only real option.

If anybody has any advice please do share.
Title: Re: Increasing front camber - factory top mounts
Post by: breeze on January 23, 2023, 08:26:16 pm
There's very little clearance. If you loosen the top mounts and push them inward, hold and tighten them...you won't exceed the -0.50° ±0.50° spec by much. You may get it into the -1.00° to -1.20° range...maybe a bit more.

Very helpful. Will have a go before the car goes back.
Title: Re: Increasing front camber - factory top mounts
Post by: pudding on January 24, 2023, 01:47:42 pm
When on the ramp I noticed that the front left wheel was -1.25 and the front right was -0.75. Not exactly that but very close. -1.24 and -0.76 or along those lines.

Many left the factory that out of whack  :grin:  Even with locking inserts and adjustable BJs, the best I could achieve was -1.2 and -1.5.  That was with one BJ fully outboard, and the other fully inboard.

Camber mismatching on the same axle doesn't really matter tbh.  It just means one steering direction will feel a bit keener than the other, but the toe has to be identical, obviously.

I wouldn't necessarily chase your tail over it.  Some cars align up pretty easily and others put up a fight.