[RedTiger]

So I've been baptized with my share of minor annoyances on an otherwise great truck.

The latest to hit me is that I've noticed my alignment seemingly off. I need about 10 degrees counterclockwise rotation to keep the truck straight on the highway. I've always suspected my driving habits (my commute ends on the 4th floor of a parking garage with speed bumps every 100ft :evil. I plan on having the dealer look at it when I bring it in for the 5k service (in about 3 weeks). Should I have it looked at sooner?

I ask though as I've read others here had alignment problems leading to rapid tire wear, and replacing tires every few thousand miles ain't cheap...

I have the steel suspension.

 

[karl]

I have it too

I have the same problem and the dealer completed a 4 wheel alignment on the Reg, but it is still about 10 degrees CC. I have to take it in soon since my wife's key does not wrok anymore. I plan on having them take a look at the sterring again too.

 

[azlinbackr]

I have the same problem. I took it to the dealership and they said my tire pressure was off... but it wasn't so i am dealing with it now until someone finds a fix.

Trent

 

[RedTiger]

I'm glad it's not just me.

It's funny, the car seems aligned, but the wheel seems like it's just been put on wrong.

-jim

 

[BrunDog]

I have the same issue, but I do believe some of it is related to crowned roads - that is, roads that cant to the right to allow the water to drain off. The T-reg is fairly heavy, so it will pull downhill.

I have noticed on a highway that I drive on that the left lane cants to the left, and when I am in that lane, the vehicle drifts to the left and I need clockwise rotation to keep it centered. :-s

-BD

 

[Mike]

same problem since day 1. alignment is not a warranty-issue. my dealership did it gratis since I complained on day 2.

Now its off the other direction. ARGH

 

[pissy]

Mine pulls about 5 degrees CW. I've been too busy complaining about the scratch on my door and subsequent overbuffing they did when I got the vehicle to complain to them about it.

 

[raudikal]

Make sure tires aren't wearing unevenly too...

I've had the alignment problem for a while now. When I took it in for the 5000 service, I aked to have the alignment done because I can see that it's off. The dealer told me that the alignment was fine. I took in for other "pain in the rear" issues (wiper sensor, TPMS, rear hatch, remote range, universal garage opener buttons, dead battery, rear hatch pull down, vibration at 40 tp 60 MPH) that have been wrong with my Touareg since day one, and now they tell me that there is an issue with early production Tregs with alignment being off. My tires are cupped and are wearing unevenly too becuase of the alignment. VWOA is reviewing my case to see if my tires are to be replaced under warranty... which I am insisting on. So if your alignment is off, be sure to check to your tires.

 

[peasant]

My stearing wheel had to be kept 10 degrees right to keep the vehicle straight. It did not pull right or left. At night, the steering wheel was not as noticable, so the problem did not annoy me.

My dealer found that VW has incorrectly set the steering wheel.
Corrected it, and its been good ever since.

 

[GEB]

We had this same problem from day one with my wife's.
The dealership had it for four days trying to figure it out as they could not get it aligned right on the rack....

They wound up diagnosing it as radial misalignment and replaced all four tires....I never found this to be a satisfactory explanation as they were always a few degrees off spec on the alignment rack......tires wouldn't affect this.

I got the dealership to provide me with the print out sheet from the alignment to show it as within spec. I then took it to a tire store and had them check it's alignment to verify it was in spec (didn't trust the dealership). It was OK. Has been driving straight with no pulling ever since. However, the steering does feel a tad sensitive sometimes.

 

[RedTiger]

I'm due for the 5k service. On my "fix it please" list are the steering wheel (tires don't show abnormal wear), compass (they ordered me a new one, I'd hate to disappoint and not let them at least try).

Taking it in on the 17th. Wish me luck

-jim

 

[Jack F]

A word ar two of advice; don't wait on an alignment resolution. Those tires are yours and you'll have a hard time getting them warrantied also. It has happened to some other forum members but many have been shot down simply becaus eanyone can drive into a curb and claim that TREG came out of alignment. Good luck.

 

[RedTiger]

Originally I thought I didn't have unusual wear, the rear tires looked so different from the front. Then I realized that's because the rear tires are BALD!



It looks like the rear camber is off, the wear is worse at the outer edge and lessens as you move inward across the tire.

I'm not driving it until I take it in for service. I want them to replace the two rear tires, fix the alignment, and the other items...

Luckily my wife's beetle has 11k miles on it AND IS PROBLEM FREE!!! :anger:

-jim

 

[RedTiger]

UPDATE

I took in the car early due to the tire wear issue.

Basically VW said the wear was caused by goosing it around corners (which is entirely possible ), and that the alignment was only slightly out of spec.

The guy was very friendly about it, and said there's nothing wrong goosing the car, but I should be aware that the tires are soft, and prone to wear easily if I drive the truck rough.

However, VW is going to comp me the tires this time, with the suggestion that I get more street-oriented tires if I'm going to continue driving it the way I do.

In all I'm satisfied with the level of service. They were very helpful, did as I asked.

-jim

 

[JQ]

Lemon....

I spent about spent about 5 minutes on this site and everything I've read I've been through. I bought my Touareg back in October and alignment (along many other issues) have always been a problem. At about 12,000 mile, all 4 of my tires are completely worn out on the outer treads. The car does not drive straight, even after 3 alignments! VW customer relations of N.A. replaced the tires for free and performed another alignment but the car still doesn't track straight and I already see the tires feathering out!

I've asked VW of N.A to buy back the vehicle or replace it and they offered to make a payment for me. I am thinking of pursuing the Lemon Law route. Has anyone been through this before?

This is really too bad b/c I really like this ride.

 

[spockcat]

Re: Lemon....

I spent about spent about 5 minutes on this site and everything I've read I've been through. I bought my Touareg back in October and alignment (along many other issues) have always been a problem. At about 12,000 mile, all 4 of my tires are completely worn out on the outer treads. The car does not drive straight, even after 3 alignments! VW customer relations of N.A. replaced the tires for free and performed another alignment but the car still doesn't track straight and I already see the tires feathering out!

I've asked VW of N.A to buy back the vehicle or replace it and they offered to make a payment for me. I am thinking of pursuing the Lemon Law route. Has anyone been through this before?

This is really too bad b/c I really like this ride.

Have you had your car aligned at the same dealer every time? Do you have other dealers in your area? I know another owner who had a Porsche dealer align his car as they had the tools his dealer didn't have. You should make VW find a shop with the right tools to do the job if this is the case. I find it hard to believe that it is impossible to align the car correctly unless something is bent or the shop that is doing it doesn't have the right procedure, know how or tools.