New To Me S3: Tyres Screeching

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ChrisH370

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Noticed front tyres screeching when going round round abouts, not even pushing it at all, 45 'ish.
Also front tyres and wheels are v. warm after only a 20min run on dual carriageway. TPs reduced to 32 at front from 36. I guess it needs tracking after top mounts changed, but mechanic said not to bother?
 
More like 40 then, I couldn't believe it was my tyres were screeching when being overtaken by some SUV, I checked a few times its every time I steer it, must be tracking?
 
So what tyres are they? Cheap ditch finders?
 
You reckon its tyres? They are Falken ZE914s on std 17ins rims, less than half worn running 32 psi, I swapped the backs to the front as less worn.
If they rubbish what do you suggest I replace front two with?
 
Thanks, jojo, any ideas about tyre screech?
It doesn't inspire confidence cornering?
 
Alex, not to my knowledge, only work done since Ive owned the car is top mounts replaced with the LCR type, this was to get rid of a clonk, the springs are the original ones: black with pink marks.
 
Not blaming tyres, no. Just getting more info on hardware fitted.

Did it squeal before having the top mounts fitted?
 
No, sure it didn't. You can hear it on smooth roads when I put any steering input in, the tyres just moan, he must have messed up the tracking somehow.
 
That's what I'm thinking. I having the ABS light checked tomorrow and will ask to look, as also result of the mount work (different mechanic!).
 
Original mechanic who changed the mounts and pads 2 wks ago. He didn't have time to sort out the ABS light as it was fine beforehand and now on holiday so I've asked a Golf specialist to look at the ABS light tomorrow and will ask him if the struts are properly settled. I know I should go back to the other bloke but this guy is better at VW, IMO.
Seems to me running positive camber instead of negative would make it squeal?
 
Deos anyone know if it possible when replacing the struts they could not be located correctly resulting in +ve camber?
 
When they removed the struts to do the top mounts they may had just in done the 3 bolts on the bottom ball joint to take the whole hub/strut assembly off so they've changed the camber
 
Which bolts do u mean? I did see him undo three bolts on the bottom wish bone fixing to swing the hub out the way.
He had did a lot of hammering to get slide the strut back up the hub as he did not want me see that.
 
They are camber bolts, they fasten the bottom ball joint to the arm... There is your problem mate, camber is out!
 
I am referring to the bottom wishbone, the three bolts are in a triangle, r those the ones?
How much is tracking these days, it's a long time since I had it done?
 
ChrisH370 said:
I am referring to the bottom wishbone, the three bolts are in a triangle, r those the ones?
How much is tracking these days, it's a long time since I had it done?
Click to expand...


Yes mate they are the ones, they live in elongated holes to allow camber adjustment.
It's not tracking you need mate, you need you camber setting up! Ring around a few places make sure they can do it. But £50-£75 ish but surely see the guy who did the top mounts? It's his lack of knowledge that's done it!
 
Greg, thanks. I know it's camber but u have to get the tracking done as the whole bit don't you? I never heard u can only get camber checked. I will ask local tyre shop in the AM. The reason I'm going to the golf specialist is I don't trust the bloke who did the mounts to solve the ABS light problem he caused without trying new sensors, rings whatever when it might be a bad connection caused by his incompetence. And there is still a knocking noise when reversing.
I'm not a happy bunny but haven't paid him yet.
 
what does the abs light look like? When you had new pads fitted did they have electronic wear indicators?
 
It's the yellow abs light that's on, he tried to reset it but came on again. Yes the pads are Brembo and have wear indicator connections on the near side only, I saw a red and black wire hanging when he had the caliper off.
 
Greg,
Well went to local tyre shop who use Hunter for the camber and they checked all, they spent at least an hour on trying the three bolts on the near side to adjust the camber but couldn't adjust it. The party line on their system said use factory settings for S3 so Im left with -1 34 nearside (red) and -1 00 offside (green). The only adjustment that was out they did make was Toe now in green both sides.
Front tyres dont screech any more but Im not happy this is fixed. Any suggestions?
 
Alec, got the ABS light sorted, the original guy had not pushed the connector right home, stupid mistake.
Got a specialist to look at it, he cleared the fault codes too.
 
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-ve camber is good, means you get more contact patch as the car rolls through a corner. If they've corrected the toe and the tyre squeal has gone i'd be happy -- keep an eye out for uneven tyre wear
 
Alex, yes -ve camber both sides is what it should be so it was the toe causing the screech. It seems the toe is changed via the track rods that were not disturbed to change the mounts, Unless anyone suggests another decent alignment place in the SE I don't see any more to do.
Yes, will check for wear.
 
yeah I thought that was odd - the original bloke won't have, shouldn't have, touched the track rods
 
ChrisH370 said:
Greg,
Well went to local tyre shop who use Hunter for the camber and they checked all, they spent at least an hour on trying the three bolts on the near side to adjust the camber but couldn't adjust it. The party line on their system said use factory settings for S3 so Im left with -1 34 nearside (red) and -1 00 offside (green). The only adjustment that was out they did make was Toe now in green both sides.
Front tyres dont screech any more but Im not happy this is fixed. Any suggestions?
Click to expand...


It needs a special bit of kit really mate that braces the front and then it's adjusted try and fit a Motorsport sort of place, they will have camber kit
 
How about this mate...
du8any3y.jpg
 
They're no longer in business but the chap suggested Project Nine Engineering, charge 175+VAT and reckon they can do camber and castor.
Anyone experience of using them?
 
ChrisH370 said:
They're no longer in business but the chap suggested Project Nine Engineering, charge 175+VAT and reckon they can do camber and castor.
Anyone experience of using them?
Click to expand...


Wow that seems expensive! The guys next to me at Northampton motor sport it's £100+vat inc full set up
 
Agreed so I've cancelled them.
Here is the printout from the Hunter equipment at my local tyre shop, would be instated in getting comments about the camber and castor.Are they really that far out as Im told moving the subfrarme is the only way? The rear nearside toe is the wrong way but can it be adjusted? The car is running std suspension.
I see in previous threads 1.30 deg negative on the front is desirable with zero Toe which mine is now set to.
 

Attachments

  • DTS alignment W81OTU 180814.pdf
    618 KB · Views: 158
Did the attachment work? Comments on the geo please.
Why did they show the toe in degrees when all the other Hunter printouts I've seen are in mm?
Is this right, it was definitely the B team who did it.
 
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