Wonder if there's a cover-up conspiracy by VAG about the dreaded pull to the left? Lotsa posts about that problem on Briskoda...

found this link: Corrado Problems

look for tyre cupping.

ok it relates to VW corrado/passat/jetta - quote:

Rear Tire Cupping (Uneven Wear) - (All Corrados, Passats, Jetta ///'s)

- why: something to do with a defective axle

- solution: The tire wear called CUPPING is a smooth valley and hill pattern that crosses the tread on a diagonal of about 45-60 degrees. The pattern is usually all around the tire with the hill peaks about 2 inches apart.

The problem is corrected with a new spindle that is ground with a 10' angle (10/60 th of a degree) at the mounting flange, which is installed on the left rear, then the thrust angle is corrected by shifting the rear axle assy. (equalizing toe-in relative to vehicle center line) on a 4 head alignment machine. This is official VW procedure. VW does not recommend plastic shims to correct alignment problems, but many shops do without much trouble.

end quote

I notice that ETOS lists a standard part no. for the rear stub axle and another one without a description.

I have the plastic shims in to realign my car, but it makes you wonder...

Wonder if there's a cover-up conspiracy by VAG about the dreaded pull to the left? Lotsa posts about that problem on Briskoda...

found this link: Corrado Problems

look for tyre cupping.

ok it relates to VW corrado/passat/jetta - quote:

Rear Tire Cupping (Uneven Wear) - (All Corrados, Passats, Jetta ///'s)

- why: something to do with a defective axle

- solution: The tire wear called CUPPING is a smooth valley and hill pattern that crosses the tread on a diagonal of about 45-60 degrees. The pattern is usually all around the tire with the hill peaks about 2 inches apart.

The problem is corrected with a new spindle that is ground with a 10' angle (10/60 th of a degree) at the mounting flange, which is installed on the left rear, then the thrust angle is corrected by shifting the rear axle assy. (equalizing toe-in relative to vehicle center line) on a 4 head alignment machine. This is official VW procedure. VW does not recommend plastic shims to correct alignment problems, but many shops do without much trouble.

end quote

I notice that ETOS lists a standard part no. for the rear stub axle and another one without a description.

I have the plastic shims in to realign my car, but it makes you wonder...

Had my car on a four wheel alignement the ther day and my rear wheels are toein in more than standard.

Car doesnt pull to the left anymore but they cant correct the rear toe and camber as obviously its fixed. unless you clever and use shims

Like you say Bas, makes you wonder.....

I reckon there's a lot of stuff they palm off as being 'normal'. The amount of times I've heard the phrase 'they all do that' is unreal.

Pulling to the left, knocking over bumps when turning, clunking when dipping the clutch to change gear, heater going barmy, lumpy idle yadda yadda yadda...

EDIT: Just to add, I found fitting my RARB reduced the pull to the left slightly. Only by a smidgen but enough to notice. Shows it's got to be down to rear alignment in some way. I've also had a 4WA done when my console bushes were changed.