My T6 is pulling to the left (RHD)

No updates so far - still waiting for VW to contact me to arrange a 2nd opinion. VW in UK have been very poor in dealing with this matter. Does anyone have a contact within VW HQ that might actually take it seriously? I really like the van but if it won't go in a straight line, it's going straight (almost) back to the supplying dealer for a refund!
 
DaveyB said:
I can't believe there is any such thing as "within tolerance" for pulling to one side. Yes there are 'tolerances' for the wheel alignment (recently had mine aligned and the non-VW company said fronts were in tolerance, said I didn't care, I was paying so wanted everything lined up bang on) but for the vehicle to steer itself?? Really?
Have you taken it anywhere other than a stealer? Might be interesting to seek a second opinion if you haven't already.
Click to expand...
Been to 2 independent tyre garages and I'm just out of pocket and the van is exactly the same. They claim to be 'adjusting' the steering but it makes no difference.
 
Ok quick check for you without crawling around underneath.. Grab a tape measure and pen/paper.. And a mate..

Park on level ground.. And measure wheel centre centre to wheel arch lip and note measurements of all 4 wheels. If this is different, choose the bottom rim lip where it meets the tyre, making sure the tape passes through the centre of the wheel centre.

Measure front wheel centre centre to rear wheel centre centre either side and make a note..

If you publish the findings we can see if they match ours, especially the left and right wheelbase length.. Should be same theoretically, but I think the old Renault 5 was shorter one side to the other..
 
The latest update!
Sales Manager at the supplying dealer has become involved and is arranging for a loan vehicle whilst mine is checked, prepared correctly and re-delivered in the condition it should have been in the first place. At least he has been polite, understanding and true to his word, so far. It's a shame the staff at VW HQ have not been the same. My fingers are firmly crossed this issue can be resolved as it is a beauty otherwise.
 
Interesting thread. I picked up new T6 2 weeks ago and from day 1 I noticed it pulled to the left. Currently waiting for the dealer to get his new tracking gauges to check my van. They haven't impressed me at all thus far so I'm not holding my breath.
 
It's going back to the supplying dealer on Monday - they make it go in a straight line or it's money back time (there's a couple of other issues to remedy as well). They are lending a demo so it will be good to compare. I really don't want to go back to a Vauxhall Vivaro but the last one was less stressful than the T6. Such a shame for VW to have this generic problem they are just not getting to the bottom of. I have spoke to other owners and it's about 50/50 on pulling left or going straight.
 
I really wanted this to be my last post about the steering issue, but I fear it may not be. Van went back to supplying dealer (Brian Currie in Milton Keynes) who kindly lent a demo van for the week. They sorted a few issues and rattles, but not the 'pull to the left'. Again, road camber and within tolerance have been mentioned. Interestingly, the demo van didn't pull to the left! They suggest I contact VW directly, which I have already done. I think I may be going around in (left hand) circles. Not giving up just yet...
 
Just thought I'd add that mine pulls to the left too. This has become much more obvious since adding 20" wheels and Bilsteins.
 
Well, hasn't this been going on for a while?! Good news though, eventually sorted! Turns out, a weak near side coil spring was the problem. Had 4 new springs fitted and it drives straighter that Tiger Woods on a good day (sorry don't really know any golfers!) Annoyingly, it's all cost, with garage visits and parts, over £1000 to fix what was a problem from new or whilst it was dealer owned, but became my problem. Have to say VW were very poor and the dealer tried but just came back with the "within tolerance" rules from their official black book. Annoying, expensive, but solved. Here's to a good day...
 
I've found most places that do 4 wheel tracking and alignment can't actually do it, they either can't work the equipment or are incompetent. I had mine "sorted' twice within a week ,both times I was told it was "out" ,I still wasn't happy so took it to a place with this laser hunter equipment, they also said it was "out" but have me a print out of the wheels and how much they were out and they actually did sort it. If it pulls to one side that means you are spending money on fuel and wearing your tyres out prematurely
 
Mine pulls if i let go of steering wheel but drives straight when steering wheel is held in a straight position.

God that makes no sense
 
That's exactly what I had - for about 4 months! Mine was a coil spring fault, but could just be tracking on yours. Either way, I think it needs sorting out. Try the laser alignment first as it's the cheapest starting point. Prepare for an expensive time sorting it out...
 
I bought my van at 12 months old and 8000 miles, it had a slight pull to the left, mostly noticeable on motorways, so I checked tyre pressures and they were all way out! 10 psi different side to side. With the pressures set correctly, the van drives straight. Ok, the van wasn't new, but it still cost 22K, I have come to expect it, but the incompetence of main dealers still amazes me..... In my business, I get involved with specialist vehicles, built (amongst others) on the T6 platform and the dealers just don't want to know about anything that isn't standard, which is good for me as I do a lot of coding with my VCDS, which the dealers can't (won't) sort out, I charge a reasonable price and my customer is delighted. The dealer staff seem to think in straight lines and aren't allowed to use any initiative.
 
Hi guys,

New to the world of T6 owning and the forum so hello!
Although not been all plain sailing, and looks as though I have the same probs as above.
Got my van from dealer and noticed left veer. Got home and checked pressures which were completely off. This seemed to almost rectify the problem....but was still there.
Took it to VW who said that the alignment was out. Said they would charge £90 to sort the one wheel or £170 for a full track. Pretty extortionate but after some persuading managed to get the dealer I bought the van from originally to foot the bill for the £90 option. Just got my van back and the prob is worse! Just wondered if any remedies were found? Pretty fed up.....spent a lot on the van and now I have done some conversion work very reluctant to hand it back.....it's not much to ask your van drives in a straight line!! Any advice guys?
 
I think it's a coil spring issue. Sounds a bit daft, but it worked for me. I have a Trendline T30 and it was always a bit twitchy in crosswinds etc, so upgraded to the Sportline springs (only 25mm ride height difference). Now goes in a straight line, handles really well and even just looks a little nicer! I suspect a weak spring, or a related technical issue causing the slight pull to the left. It's so common, but VW are not interested. Expensive if it doesn't work (springs cost about £300) but then they improved the handling anyway so I thought a try.
 
I've been told the suspension bushes are rubbish; which may have contributed to our severe uneven front tyre wear.
Might invest in some good poly bushes.
Could be a factor in the issue here?
 
denrod said:
Hi guys,

New to the world of T6 owning and the forum so hello!
Although not been all plain sailing, and looks as though I have the same probs as above.
Got my van from dealer and noticed left veer. Got home and checked pressures which were completely off. This seemed to almost rectify the problem....but was still there.
Took it to VW who said that the alignment was out. Said they would charge £90 to sort the one wheel or £170 for a full track. Pretty extortionate but after some persuading managed to get the dealer I bought the van from originally to foot the bill for the £90 option. Just got my van back and the prob is worse! Just wondered if any remedies were found? Pretty fed up.....spent a lot on the van and now I have done some conversion work very reluctant to hand it back.....it's not much to ask your van drives in a straight line!! Any advice guys?
Click to expand...
I don't think the average VW commercial dealer will use the laser equipment very often, and may not be that experienced; Could be worth popping to a specialist expert to check the 4 wheel alignment. Plenty don't charge if the alignment doesn't need adjusting.
 
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