Rear offset seems off.. Maybe?

[JWhite1089]

Hey guys, sorry in advance for the long post. I've searched to no avail other than http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads...stment.118614/ but it isn't much help without a direct answer..

I recently installed ST coilovers and adjustable control arms, so instead of waiting for it to settle before an alignment I did it immediately as front camber, toe, and caster was way off. The alignment went fine and the tech was able to get the rear camber to factory spec (-1 I think?) on both sides. Last weekend after it had settled for a couple of weeks I lowered it more to slightly tuck the rear tire and noticed something looked off. Upon further investigation I realized what it was.. The rear offset is noticeably different between driver and passenger side. On the driver side I cannot fit a finger between tire and wheel well, but on passenger side it slides in easily (giggity). I should note that I have 15mm spacers installed in the rear, and no I did not forget to install the one on the passenger side.

When installing the coilovers I dropped the rear subframe to remove the rear springs, although I do not remember removing all 4 bolts at the same time, rather loosening one side and removing the opposite side that I was working on. It would make sense that when I re-installed the bolts the subframe shifted to one side, but my question is this.. Is there that much play in the subframe? I feel like it's a bolt that goes into a threaded hole and it was torqued to factory specs... How could it not be in the same place that it was before I took it out? People drop their subframes all the time to install polyurethane bushings and such, how do they not have this same issue. If this is true, and it was an error on my part, how can it be adjusted? Drop the subframe and knock on the driver side until the offset looks even? Again.. It's a bolt that goes into a threaded hole so I don't see how it could shift at all.

Finally, if this is not the case, is this how our cars are from the factory and it isn't noticeable until you lower the car? Why would they do that? As an OCD car owner this drives me crazy and if it's supposed to be this way I might end up getting an 18mm spacer for passenger side and 15mm for driver side. Would this hurt anything? Thanks in advance!

Bonus question: I think I may have stripped the little set screw on the front right coilover that holds the height adjuster in place but I didn't tighten it very much!! What can I do about this? Will the coilover move much without it? I want to lower the front more but now I'm afraid to take the set screw out, as it is currently tight, just spinning freely. Sorry again for the lengthy post and thanks for any help you can offer.

[kil_ling]

That's funny, I was just looking at mine too and it does too seem off on both sides. Rear Right is tucked in more than the REar Left..

[JWhite1089]

That's funny, I was just looking at mine too and it does too seem off on both sides. Rear Right is tucked in more than the REar Left..

By tucked in more you mean the tire is further inside the wheel well than the left side right? Hmm, maybe it is supposed to be that way. The link I posted above does say this:

"I have heard that on mk 4 golf/boras that the rear subframe is slightly offset from the factory to counteract the weight of the driver or the fuel tank or something. So it could also be a similar situation on the B7 I suppose."

[audihere06]

The subframe shifts back and forth. You have to loosen the big bolts and push the car side to side until it is even. Both my front and rear are like that and it's quite irritating.


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[JWhite1089]

The subframe shifts back and forth. You have to loosen the big bolts and push the car side to side until it is even. Both my front and rear are like that and it's quite irritating.


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Loosen the subframe bolts with wheels on the ground and push the car to the left or the right? Sounds scary haha.
But I don't get it, how can it be moved? Does the subframe post that the bolt goes through have play in it? Whyyyyy would they even do that.

[audihere06]

Loosen the subframe bolts with wheels on the ground and push the car to the left or the right? Sounds scary haha.
But I don't get it, how can it be moved? Does the subframe post that the bolt goes through have play in it? Whyyyyy would they even do that.

I have no idea. Thats why 034 makes the billet rear subframe bushings to help with some of the movement. Its like this is the front and rear. Audi can do some simply dumb shit and ruin an otherwise great design. They dont have to be very loose. Plus they are nearly 6 inch bolts anyway.


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[JWhite1089]

I have no idea. Thats why 034 makes the billet rear subframe bushings to help with some of the movement. Its like this is the front and rear. Audi can do some simply dumb shit and ruin an otherwise great design. They dont have to be very loose. Plus they are nearly 6 inch bolts anyway.


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Well I definitely won't be touching my front subframe until absolutely necessary. Wish I had known before messing with rear. Maybe I'll just order some new bolts since apparently they're one time use and do it then. Thanks for the response!

[audihere06]

Well I definitely won't be touching my front subframe until absolutely necessary. Wish I had known before messing with rear. Maybe I'll just order some new bolts since apparently they're one time use and do it then. Thanks for the response!

I didnt put new ones in mine... Oops. Oh well, not messing with it now.


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[Solarsuplex]

Jack up the car and just loosen the bolts then give the subframe a couple hits with a mallet and call it a day.