Tips for adjusting the front subframe to correct camber?

I recently got an alignment and my car is pulling noticeably to the right. The alignment tech mentioned its due to my front camber being off (-0.5 left and -1.7 right). I've done some research and tried to shift my front subframe today but it wouldn't budge. I loosened 11 bolts on the subframe, surprisingly the passenger side did not have the second steering rack bolt which seems to be normal?

Anyone have any advice on how I can shift my subframe a little to even out the camber? I was only able to move the subframe vertically but couldn't budget it in any other direction. Or should I suck it up and just get Tyrol bolts/bushings? I'm afraid that my camber might still not be even with the bolts then I'm totally out of luck. Any help would be appreciated!

You're just trying to eyeball it? (not the right way of doing it anyways)
Take it to a shop and have them shift it while it's on the alignment rack

I'd grab the subframe collar kit too though. I added it on my Tiguan (same suspension/subframe) and with both ST and HPA SHS coils....the camber was perfect/equal. It's a nice/solid upgrade anyways

The "missing bolt" is normal too, for the rack...there are only 3 (total)...2 on one side & 1 on the other

snobrdrdan said:

You're just trying to eyeball it? (not the right way of doing it anyways)
Take it to a shop and have them shift it while it's on the alignment rack

I'd grab the subframe collar kit too though. I added it on my Tiguan (same suspension/subframe) and with both ST and HPA SHS coils....the camber was perfect/equal. It's a nice/solid upgrade anyways

The "missing bolt" is normal too, for the rack...there are only 3 (total)...2 on one side & 1 on the other

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Thanks for the help, appreciate it! I have a relatively cheap camber tool I bought on eBay that I used. I also checked to make sure my car was jacked up evenly. Are the 11 bolts on the subframe the only ones that need to be loosened? I loosened them up quite a bit and I was only able to move the subframe around by maybe a hair. I tapped it with a rubber mallet also and nothing. I've never messed with the subframe on any car before so I might be doing something wrong.

I'll probably still get the deadset collars and new bolts since I'm not feeling super comfortable about re-tightening the stretch bolts. Hopefully the camber is closer to being even after the subframe is set as straight/even as possible.

I've taken the subframe off and what not, but haven't ever tried shifting it while it's on the car.
I saw a video (but couldn't find it) where they used a pry tool of some sort to try and shift it. Granted....it's not going to move that much though, since there's only just a little bit of play in the bolt holes.

Either way...try the collar kit and definitely replace all those bolts. It should straighten everything out and it'll clean up the slop & lock down the front end :thumbsup:

snobrdrdan said:

I've taken the subframe off and what not, but haven't ever tried shifting it while it's on the car.
I saw a video (but couldn't find it) where they used a pry tool of some sort to try and shift it. Granted....it's not going to move that much though, since there's only just a little bit of play in the bolt holes.

Either way...try the collar kit and definitely replace all those bolts. It should straighten everything out and it'll clean up the slop & lock down the front end :thumbsup:

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Will do! Christmas present to myself :w00t:

I'd go to an alignment specialist to adjust the subframe and there are even some gains to be had in the front struts themselves.

Be warned, the collar kits aren't a guarantee to perfectly align your subframe to yield even camber. It depends on how your subframe was machined. For example, mine wasn't perfectly even and when I added the subframe collars it resulted in a front camber of ~ -0.7/-1.3. I added superpro ball joints to fix the camber, but that was an added cost at the time I really didn't want to spend. Something to consider.

I don't understand why you car would be pulling at all even with slight uneven camber.
This an old sheet of mine. That front camber just a stuck value. Especially once you get the collar kit. Maybe I got lucky.


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Got my Tyrolsport kit installed and now my camber is close to even in the front (1.2 vs 1.0 left and right). It might be off a little due to my coilover height not being quite even.

I got an alignment and all the numbers look good but car is still pulling noticeably to the right. My front tires are pretty old and I only had an alignment when I put them on brand new. Could uneven tire wear cause my car to be pulling? My rear tires are brand new.


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That's pretty damn close on the front...I wouldn't sweat that.

As for the tires/wear....yes, that can cause pulling.
If your rear tires are truly "brand new", put them on the front & then see if it still pulls

Or, ideally, maybe buy new tires to match the new rears....so you have a matching set?