Evaluating Vehicles in a Collision

Evaluating Vehicles in a Collision

When servicing load bearing or wheel supporting components on accident vehicles, damages to the suspension could remain undiscovered. These undiscovered damages may lead to heavy damages in continued vehicle operation. Therefore, on accident vehicles, the listed components must be checked in the described manner and sequence, independent of performing a vehicle alignment. If no deviations from the specified values were determined during the vehicle alignment, no deformations of the suspension are present.

Visual and Functional Check of the Steering System

• Visually check for deformations and cracks

• Check for play in the tie rod joints and steering gear

• Visually inspect for faulty boots

• Check electric wires and hydraulic lines and hoses for chafe marks, cuts and kinks

• Check hydraulic lines, bolted connections and the steering gear for leaks

• Check the steering gear and lines for proper seating

• Check the proper function through the entire steering by turning the steering wheel from stop to stop. The steering wheel must be rotary without hitching at equal force

Visual and Functional Check of the Suspension

• Observe the sequence of the following test steps!

• Check all components shown in the overviews for deformation, cracks and other damages

• Replace the damaged components

• Perform a vehicle alignment on a wheel alignment stand approved by VOLKSWAGEN AG

Visual and Functional Check of the Wheels and Tires

• Run out and balance, checking. Refer to => [ Wheel/Tire Vibration, Causes and Solution ] Testing and Inspection.

• Tires, checking for cuts and impact damage on the treads and flanks. Refer to => [ Wheel/Tire Vibration, Causes and Solution ] Testing and Inspection.

• Check tire inflation pressures, for the inflation pressure see the inflation pressure plate on the fuel tank flap.

For damage to the c wheel and/or tire, the tire must be replaced. This also applies when the course of the accident and damage on the vehicle points to possible non-visible damages.

Another determining factor is the age of the tires: Tires should not be older than 6 years.

When in Doubt, Always Proceed as Follows:

• As soon as a safety risk cannot be ruled out, the tire(s) must be replaced.

Entire Vehicle

Also check other vehicle systems, for example:

• The brake system including the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)

• The exhaust system and passenger protection by a visual and functional check

Test values, adjustment values and notes can be found in the respective repair information information.

The checking of accident vehicles described here, refers to the suspension and does not lay claim to the completeness of the entire vehicle.

Electronic Vehicle Systems

Safety related system such as: ABS/Electronic Differential Lock (EDL), Airbag, electronically regulated vehicle systems; Electro-mechanical, Electro-hydraulic steering and other driver assistance systems must be queried for fault codes that could possibly be stored, using the vehicle diagnostic tester. If faults were stored in the Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) memory for the system mentioned, then these systems must be serviced according to the specifications in the repair information. After performing repairs, check the fault stored in the DTC memory of the affected system again, to make sure that proper function can be ensured again.