BMW alignment

"Slant6" (slant-6) 10/23/2015 at 10:26 • Filed to: None

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Right now I have some positive camber that needs to be addressed. All the local shop’s I’ve called say that they’ll align the e34 but they won’t pre-load it like BMW wants.

Should I just drive 2 hours to the dealer (I’m going to Asheville anyway to visit a friend)? It will be expensive but safe. And I get to look at all the new BMWs and steal some brochures.

Also I plan on buying some 16’s and non-Chinese brand tires eventually would I need an alignment again?

Party-vi > Slant6 10/23/2015 at 10:31

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I don’t think you’re going to need an alignment after buying new wheels/tires.

Master Cylinder > Slant6 10/23/2015 at 10:32

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DIY alignment is a possibility, too. It takes a long time but isn’t difficult if you’re patient. Plus then you know it’s done right. I don’t trust most alignment shops.

As for putting on new wheels and tires, that won’t affect your alignment.

Slant6 > Party-vi 10/23/2015 at 10:34

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Ok, thanks. Any idea on how important the preload actually is? Will I or the car die if I just get an alignment locally?

EL_ULY > Slant6 10/23/2015 at 10:35

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If you could afford going to the dealer, i’d go there. On my e34, I aligned it under general e34 specs. It gave me an 18 inch wheel option on the screen after I put aftermarket wheels on. I had to do it under 530i on the machine. It will eat tires even if the alignment was perfect due to the high rear camber and high front caster (not adjustable) specs but it will point straight and true if the tires are good.

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > Slant6 10/23/2015 at 10:36

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Positive camber? That sounds like a negative thing

E30Joe drives a Subaru > Slant6 10/23/2015 at 10:42

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Which wheel has positive camber?

Party-vi > Slant6 10/23/2015 at 10:44

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Alignment should only affect your suspension components (bushing) and tire wear. It’s not going to kill the car. Also, correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think the E34 has any adjustment for camber besides replacing worn bushings.

The pre-loading is recommended to get the car to track straight and have the steering return correctly. I would go to the dealer, or find a shop that specializes in German cars.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > Slant6 10/23/2015 at 10:45

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Normally BMW has a more aggressive camber setting on most models from the factory and most independent alignment shops that are looking at commute duty cars will dial that camber back so that you aren’t riding on the inside edge of the tire (which is exactly what happened when I bought my Z4, and then had a blowout on the right rear RFT)

Of course, the other way around that is to load the suspension when driving, so it flattens out :)

Slant6 > EL_ULY 10/23/2015 at 10:46

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I was hoping you’d chime in.

You’re a tech, do you think the weights really matter?

All it is is some toe in. Isn’t that just screwing in or out the tie rod a little bit? The rear is wearing fine.

Slant6 > E30Joe drives a Subaru 10/23/2015 at 10:49

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Both the front ones. Only way I know is that the outside of the tire is wearing much faster than the inside. Maybe positive camber isn’t the correct term.

Also possible I’m just taking turns on the Blue Ridge Parkway too fast. I did recently replace all the front suspension parts (all the ball joints were shot) so I wouldn’t be surprised if all my tinkering messed up the alignment some.

EL_ULY > Slant6 10/23/2015 at 11:03

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Pretty much. Front and rear toe adjustment on the e34. I never had the right amount of fuel for the sand bags and all that jazz. No biggie. My 1990 e34 had a parallel steering box set up in the front instead of a traditional rack and pinion. Pain in the butt for sure to adjust.

Though, I once had a car that keep coming back for a pull. After the 2nd free alignment I did, I asked to speak with the customer.... the 400+pound customer. My shop foreman told me to have the customer sit in the car while I aligned it to get the numbers right lol.

Slant6 > EL_ULY 10/23/2015 at 11:07

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So would I be fine paying the local tire shop $70 for an alignment with no weight? Sorry if you already answered that I just want to be sure.

EL_ULY > Slant6 10/23/2015 at 11:39

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I’d do it. Especially after the new wheels and tires. Make sure to review the spec sheet before and after.

E30Joe drives a Subaru > Slant6 10/23/2015 at 13:29

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Sounds like a toe issue. I have -3.5* front and -4.5* rear camber and my tire wear is very very even. You would need a ton of + camber to make it wear unevenly