Hey Guys!
I recently picked up a 2012 Volkswagen Touareg Exec, and love absolutely everything about it! by far its the best vehicle I've ever owned.
This forum has been very helpful in diagnosing my steering shake issues which were solved by mounting a new set of Michelins and a very good road force balance coupled with proper wheel centering/ mounting technique.
Vehicle history is;
2012 Exec (second owner)
72,000 kms
20" Rims (some curb rash on the front wheels)
275/45/20 (Michelins Brand New)
The issues I'm having is my steering requires a lot of effort and constant attention to keep going straight more so then any other vehicle or Volkswagen I've ever owned, I do understand the Touareg is a little more sensitive to road surfaces and road crowning, however I feel as if I am not constantly correcting the steering wheel the vehicle will wander all over the road which takes away some of the joy of driving the Touareg.
After initially glancing over my most recent alignment I thought everything seemed to be correct and in spec and was going to take it to the dealer to start diagnosing possible steering rack issues. However on a second more thorough glance I noticed the SAI angle to be a degree off (side to side) and from my understanding its suppose to be the exact same side to side and any variance might point to bent suspension components.
image hosting site over 5mb
I found the following information about SAI from another alignment site.
'S.A.I.:
Purpose
1. Keep wheels In straight ahead position
2. Help. wheel return from turning
3. Improve directional stability reducing the need for
additional positive caster
4. Helps In placing more load on larger Inner wheel bearing
5. Assist In maintaining straight line control when braking
On vehicles with long short control arms, the average S.A.I. Is 7 to 10 degrees. On strut suspension, the average S.A.I. is from 10 to 17 degrees. This may explain why some vehicles with a large amount of camber difference don't seem to pull.
QUICK CHECK
S.A.I. and Included Angle
* Is a directional control angle
* Is a built In angle
a) * On vehicles that have camber adjusters on bottom of the strut, S.A.I. angle does not change.
* If S.A.I. angle Is wrong on this type of front end. It would indicate a bent shock tower, bent lower control
arm or bent cross member, etc.
b) * On vehicles that have camber adjusters at the upper or lower control arm, or at the top of the struts, S.A.I. will
change, but Included angle will remain the same. If INCLUDED ANGLE Is Incorrect, a bent spindle or MacPherson strut Is Indicated.'
My question is since I'am having difficulty keeping the Touareg straight and since SAI shows a variance of 1 degree 10.9 vs 11.9 alongside the included angle. How would I be able to diagnose the culprit suspension part, would an alignment shop or specialist shop be able to diagnose the issue?
Also does my alignment look correct!?
Is it likely that I have a defective steering rack instead?
Any help at all would be greatly appreciated,
Cheers
Gary
I recently picked up a 2012 Volkswagen Touareg Exec, and love absolutely everything about it! by far its the best vehicle I've ever owned.
This forum has been very helpful in diagnosing my steering shake issues which were solved by mounting a new set of Michelins and a very good road force balance coupled with proper wheel centering/ mounting technique.
Vehicle history is;
2012 Exec (second owner)
72,000 kms
20" Rims (some curb rash on the front wheels)
275/45/20 (Michelins Brand New)
The issues I'm having is my steering requires a lot of effort and constant attention to keep going straight more so then any other vehicle or Volkswagen I've ever owned, I do understand the Touareg is a little more sensitive to road surfaces and road crowning, however I feel as if I am not constantly correcting the steering wheel the vehicle will wander all over the road which takes away some of the joy of driving the Touareg.
After initially glancing over my most recent alignment I thought everything seemed to be correct and in spec and was going to take it to the dealer to start diagnosing possible steering rack issues. However on a second more thorough glance I noticed the SAI angle to be a degree off (side to side) and from my understanding its suppose to be the exact same side to side and any variance might point to bent suspension components.
image hosting site over 5mb
I found the following information about SAI from another alignment site.
'S.A.I.:
Purpose
1. Keep wheels In straight ahead position
2. Help. wheel return from turning
3. Improve directional stability reducing the need for
additional positive caster
4. Helps In placing more load on larger Inner wheel bearing
5. Assist In maintaining straight line control when braking
On vehicles with long short control arms, the average S.A.I. Is 7 to 10 degrees. On strut suspension, the average S.A.I. is from 10 to 17 degrees. This may explain why some vehicles with a large amount of camber difference don't seem to pull.
QUICK CHECK
S.A.I. and Included Angle
* Is a directional control angle
* Is a built In angle
a) * On vehicles that have camber adjusters on bottom of the strut, S.A.I. angle does not change.
* If S.A.I. angle Is wrong on this type of front end. It would indicate a bent shock tower, bent lower control
arm or bent cross member, etc.
b) * On vehicles that have camber adjusters at the upper or lower control arm, or at the top of the struts, S.A.I. will
change, but Included angle will remain the same. If INCLUDED ANGLE Is Incorrect, a bent spindle or MacPherson strut Is Indicated.'
My question is since I'am having difficulty keeping the Touareg straight and since SAI shows a variance of 1 degree 10.9 vs 11.9 alongside the included angle. How would I be able to diagnose the culprit suspension part, would an alignment shop or specialist shop be able to diagnose the issue?
Also does my alignment look correct!?
Is it likely that I have a defective steering rack instead?
Any help at all would be greatly appreciated,
Cheers
Gary
