My T6 is pulling to the left (RHD)

[julian dumelow]

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.

 

[superchargedpolo]

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.

 

[julian dumelow]

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.

 

[julian dumelow]

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...

 

[Chrisfraser05]

Ffs

 

[DaveyB]

Seconded @Chrisfraser05

 

[gmaster]

Just thought I'd add that mine pulls to the left too. This has become much more obvious since adding 20" wheels and Bilsteins.

 

[julian dumelow]

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...

 

[peterposh]

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

 

[PukkaT6]

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

 

[julian dumelow]

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...

 

[HotandCold]

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.

 

[denrod]

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?

 

[julian dumelow]

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.

 

[former member]

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?

 

[chriscroft]

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 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.

 

[denrod]

Cheers guys for the advice....will be getting all 4 done and will let you know how I get on

 

[Pibbow]

Hi Guys

I had a real battle with VW over my previous T5 4 motion caravelle. It pulled to the left and scrubbed out the front tyre on outside edge so bad that I had 5 sets in 40k . All I got was 3 grand off a replacement. This had gone on with it for two years in and out of the dealers. Our new T6 was fine until I a few weeks ago it is now pulling to the left and the steering wheel is slightly bias to the right in a straight line. Driving me mad but can't face all the agro all over again. May just bite the bullet and get rid.

 

[chriscroft]

Hi Guys

I had a real battle with VW over my previous T5 4 motion caravelle. It pulled to the left and scrubbed out the front tyre on outside edge so bad that I had 5 sets in 40k . All I got was 3 grand off a replacement. This had gone on with it for two years in and out of the dealers. Our new T6 was fine until I a few weeks ago it is now pulling to the left and the steering wheel is slightly bias to the right in a straight line. Driving me mad but can't face all the agro all over again. May just bite the bullet and get rid.

Was the T5 issue ever resolved?, did other T5 flag it up as a problem on the T4forum?
I've had VW T's for 13 years now and recall it being a common problem.
Did you ever get a specialist to look at?, the reason I say this is that I have zero confidence in a VW franchises to even start to understand the complexities of suspension tolerances and adjustments. I know most have access to 4 wheel laser alignment, but I have real problems with them before regarding wheel alignment following changing (if I remember correctly) track rod ends of something similar. Gave up in the end and went to a specialist.

 

[Pibbow]

No they told me it was going back to Milton Keynes to be sorted after I'd traded it in. Asked the dealers what happend to it in the end? He told me they just sold it on!!! I was very disappointed by this. The car had a serious issue.