changed shocks, offset suddenly wrong??

[tomc_85.5_944]

I have an 83 parts car and an 85.5 DD. the parts car had what appeared to be black shocks, part # 477 412 032F with VW 080A and the VW and Audi symbol beside the last numbers. The shocks have koni adjustable tops on them, and the koni adjustment instructions were in the car. Also had Eibach springs with these numbers: 1200.250.0200. What springs do I have? I switched over the shocks and springs to my 85.5. Now this is where it gets wierd. I was told by someone that the shocks on my late 85 were acutally early, due to the way the tops rotated when moving the wheels. No issues, I assumed. Got everything switched, took the car out, and all was good. Got back home, and noticed that the front wheels were not right. The drivers side is almost rubbing the wheelwell, and the passengers side is inset about an inch. Looks like someone took both wheels and moved them over one way about an inch. Looked at the parts car, which I put back together with the shocks/springs off the 85.5, and it is the same way, with the drivers side wheel offset. What in the world???

[carsonmx114]

take your car to an alignment shop and have the camber and toe adjusted. one of the two big bolts at the bottom of the strut is offsett. this is your camber adjustment.

[yieldsign2]

When you changed the struts did you mark the bottom bolt before you took it off? if not, your alignment is completely screwed up and you need to get it aligned. As the previous poster said, those bolts down there that you take off to change struts/shocks control the alignment.

[tomc_85.5_944]

Yup. Marked both sides, upper bolt with the eccentric cam. Now you said bottom bolt, but on both of mine the bolt with the cam was the top bolt of the two on the bottom. I think I might have just had a brainstorm. I marked the bolts, but on one side I reversed the direction of the cammed bolt, in order to get easier access. I bet if I turn it 180 degrees, I might be OK. Time to go back out and redo, again....

[tomc_85.5_944]

Well, thanks for the help, that little bit of a kick to get me over "mechanics block".....

The cammed bolt on the one side was the issue. Rotated 180 degrees from where it was marked, and all is right again. Still ought to get an alignment, but at least it looks right now. Now I have an alignment test for the guy that does it, with one bolt on backwards...He doesn't mention it, no more business for him....

Thanks guys!