VW Virtus pulling to the left even after wheel alignment: Need Advice

VcDS cable is connected, no error code in the power steering system.

BHPian SolidusSnake recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

So the VW dealership got the machine updated with Virtus values. Below are the alignment results. My query Right caster value is below min. And secondary SAI is totally out of specification. I don’t have much knowledge about these values, can anybody shed light on these? As per the VW manager, for Virtus, they only adjust the camber and toe.

Here's what BHPian vedirah had to say on the matter:

Subframe shifting is usually done for camber/caster adjustment. It is recommended to not touch the camber/caster as it can adversely affect driving dynamics and high-speed stability. The only thing they should be adjusting is toe in and toe out.

The camber/caster is considered 'fixed' from the factory. Only if you have a major accident it needs to be adjusted. When I took my Polo for wheel alignment at 7k kms, the alignment guys were rambling about how the camber is wrong. I told them to leave it alone, and just do the toe adjustments. Haven't faced any issues so far.

Edit: Just saw your wheel alignment report above. The steering inclination angle (SAI angle) seems to be out of alignment. This is also a 'fixed' angle from the factory. This is the angle between the wheel's vertical axis and the line that goes through the two ball joints.

Do ask them to double-check this after properly calibrating the measuring device. This is serious - it usually means something wrong with the steering column. As usual, this can't be adjusted. If these values are final, ask them to take a look at the steering linkage and make sure everything is perfect. I'm suspecting a bent steering tie rod. The slightly off-caster value for the front right wheel could be linked to this.

As your car subframe has already been adjusted, that could also have caused the steering axis inclination to be out of spec. Do request the workshop to reset the subframe to its original position and retake the measurements.

Here's what BHPian zeng had to say on the matter:

The (incorrectly done) subframe shift by the VW dealer has messed up big time with the resultant undesirable casters and SAI's angles.

The unbalanced Included Angle (9°09' Left and 5°33' Right) as a consequence of subframe shift may have led to the vehicle pulling left phenomenon, IDK.

I suspect the steering wheel crooked and off-centre to the Right phenomenon may be related to the Front wheel setback of +0.49". Btw, is the " unit in seconds or mm, anyone?

In other words, the previous subframe shift may need to be undone going forward.

BHPian SolidusSnake provided an update on the issue:

I insisted that the subframe shift be reversed. I suggested another Virtus be brought to help bring the subframe to its original condition.

This was done and my car’s subframe was restored, voila, alignment values including caster all came into the limit. Steering feedback, weight again became normal. However left pulling issue persists as before, to keep the car going straight, the steering has to be tilted to the right. VcDS cable is connected, no error code in the power steering system. Alignment checked multiple times, and matches with the other Virtus, values of both cars are attached below.

What to do now? Service guys are clueless, help me out.

Here's what BHPian Kosfactor had to say on the matter:

What you have done is to satisfy the computer that alignment is correct

Now find an alignment expert in your city who can actually make the car go straight, ask local mechanics or tempo traveller drivers etc for recommendations. Make sure those fellows are test driving the vehicles, checking the tyre wear pattern and then correcting it after doing multiple test drives.

Anybody who is buying a new car these days must mandatorily check wheel alignment with an expert in their area before using the vehicle further, for whatever reason this is becoming a rare skill.

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