Technical Rear axle alignment

[Calecosse]

Bit of a weird one, I've done a rear axle swap on my panda which I've finished and it's now back on its wheels, however, it seems like the axle isn't central. The driver side wheel seems like it's inside the arch a good 5mm or so more than the passanger side. I was going to book it in for an allignment anyway as it hasn't been done for a while but these can't really be adjusted at the back wheels. I was wondering if a couple of mm could be pinched by undoing the 3 bolts holding the axle mount brackets to the floor and nudging them over to split the difference?

Or is it a possibly a poor quality rear axle? Camber and toe seem fairly similar to the eye but someone with the proper equipment would be able to see more. Is this anything anyone else has come across. Mine is low and does have wider wheels on but it wasn't an issue on the original axle.

 

[The Panda Nut]

I had a car improved by doing this a while back. There is not a lot of play at the fixings though; Y ou need a plumb line and a ruler to check the location from the bodywork. Quality of these rear axles is not good and from comments here its celar that new ones from some suppliers are based on an imperfect temppate as well. What you are describing does sound extreme though. Worst case is a file and a little bit of weld but that not ideal.

 

[koalar]

Bit of a weird one, I've done a rear axle swap on my panda which I've finished and it's now back on its wheels, however, it seems like the axle isn't central. The driver side wheel seems like it's inside the arch a good 5mm or so more than the passanger side. I was going to book it in for an allignment anyway as it hasn't been done for a while but these can't really be adjusted at the back wheels. I was wondering if a couple of mm could be pinched by undoing the 3 bolts holding the axle mount brackets to the floor and nudging them over to split the difference?

Or is it a possibly a poor quality rear axle? Camber and toe seem fairly similar to the eye but someone with the proper equipment would be able to see more. Is this anything anyone else has come across. Mine is low and does have wider wheels on but it wasn't an issue on the original axle.

They are not symmetrical

Unfortunately I can't remember which way round

I have never measured it, but it is about 5 mm

That's a dynamic inside edge of the tyre to the inner arch

I was tightening the rear shocks bolts and noticed it, checked my other car and it was the same

 

[Calecosse]

They are not symmetrical

Unfortunately I can't remember which way round

I have never measured it, but it is about 5 mm

That's a dynamic inside edge of the tyre to the inner arch

I was tightening the rear shocks bolts and noticed it, checked my other car and it was the same

Does that mean it's supposed to be like that do you mean? I've not checked to the inside to the inner arch yet I just basically stood so you could see parallel to the flat bit on the arch bodywork as a reference if that makes sense and there is a clear difference. I think it is more noticeable because of my wide wheels as well. Does that mean I'm better leaving it alone?

 

[Calecosse]

I had a car improved by doing this a while back. There is not a lot of play at the fixings though; Y ou need a plumb line and a ruler to check the location from the bodywork. Quality of these rear axles is not good and from comments here its celar that new ones from some suppliers are based on an imperfect temppate as well. What you are describing does sound extreme though. Worst case is a file and a little bit of weld but that not ideal.

Yeah I was assuming there wouldn't be much play in the holes but there did seem a bit when I was fitting it. The quality doesn't seem the best to be fair, when I was fitting the lower shock bolts the driver side spring pan was closer to the tube nut so I couldn't get a socket on till the last couple of turns then I went to fit the passenger side and had to use 2 washers to pack out the shock tube out because the brackets were a lot further apart!

 

[koalar]

Does that mean it's supposed to be like that do you mean? I've not checked to the inside to the inner arch yet I just basically stood so you could see parallel to the flat bit on the arch bodywork as a reference if that makes sense and there is a clear difference. I think it is more noticeable because of my wide wheels as well. Does that mean I'm better leaving it alone?

I have two the same, both high miles so may have been accident damage, but both tracked true and even tyre wears

I can't remember 100% if it was the same at the outer edge of the wheel arch, as I normally longer have the car I can not check

 

[Calecosse]

I have two the same, both high miles so may have been accident damage, but both tracked true and even tyre wears

I can't remember 100% if it was the same at the outer edge of the wheel arch, as I normally longer have the car I can not check

Thank you, I've got the MOT Monday so hopefully if it passes that then I think I'll just take it for an allignment and take it from there I think. I noticed it while washing it today, i cant say its something I've noticed before but I might have just looked a but closer after the work I've done.

 

[koalar]

Thank you, I've got the MOT Monday so hopefully if it passes that then I think I'll just take it for an allignment and take it from there I think. I noticed it while washing it today, i cant say its something I've noticed before but I might have just looked a but closer after the work I've done.

Once you see something you can't unsee it ever again