RE: 2000 VR6 - Bent STOCK Rim (suspension?)

[Chuck Simpson <Csimpson@zeltech.com>]

Yo!

I would suggest getting your tires rotated and seeing if the
problem follows the tire.  This would definitely rule out any
problems with other components (suspension etc.).

Also... have someone drive next to you and physically look at
the wheel during motion.  Just check to see if they notice any
shimmy (sp?) effect with the wheel.

If the problem is with the rim, then this may be the perfect
excuse to go buy some PHAT aftermarket rims and decent
tires!!!   :)

c-ya,

-Chuck Simpson
'98 White Jetta GLX-VR6
 




-----Original Message-----
From: Seann Dorand
To: jettaglx@igtc.com
Sent: 10/26/99 1:39 PM
Subject: 2000 VR6 - Bent STOCK Rim (suspension?)


I saw an old post from Bruce Stapley regarding his bent wheels by
hitting
very MINOR potholes.

I seem to be having the same issue and I'm getting a lot of crap from
every
dealer I've taken it to.

I have a 2000 Jetta GLS VR6 with the sport/lux package (16" rims) and
according to the dealer my left front wheel is slightly out of true.

I took the car in for my first 5000 mile service, to get state
inspection
and to check out the vibration/noise I was getting from the front of the
car
at 75-85 mph.

They wouldn't road test the car at those speeds but they said when put
up on
a list and the wheels accelerated, it looks like the wheel is slightly
out
of true.

I haven't hit any MAJOR pot holes or bumps (well I have but the
noise/vibration was happening *BEFORE* I hit a few bumps).

I'm trying to figure out if maybe the wheel was un-true on purchase of
the
car.  When I bought the car I wasn't really driving it that fast... and
now
that its broken in and I do drive it that fast maybe the problem has
surfaced.

The dealers won't replace the wheel under warranty because they think I
may
have hit something... but I can't be really sure whether it was like
that
from the beginning and didn't know it or if I hit something to cause it
but
I don't remember hitting any major potholes.  I agree with Bruce from
his
old post that it seems to me the suspension is too soft or there are
some
design flaws in it.  Is anyone else having problems similar to mine?
The
dealer is telling me the wheel will cost at least $225 plus
installation.
He said I could continue driving it and not really mess anything up but
its
highly irritating as I'm usually driving in the 80-90mph range during my
commutes.  I could buy the new wheel but don't feel like laying down
that
money all the time if its being caused by something else...

I was going to put my spare on to see if the problem would go away but
then
I thought that since its just a cheapo spare maybe quality control isn't
so
high and it will probably be untrue or unbalanced.  I also don't have
torque
wrenches etc to put the real wheel back on properly.

Any suggestions?  How can I find out if a lot of people are bending
their
wheels on this model car?  If it is some sort of flaw, I want VW to fix
the
issue for free whether its just the wheel or the suspension or whatever.

I'd like to hear Scott VW's opinion on the matter...

My car is 100% stock.

Thanks,
Seann Dorand - seann_dorand@ins.com