E90 Alignment settings have changed after only 2 weeks

magico · 11-25-2013, 09:42 PM

About 2 weeks ago I had new rubber put on my winter rims and since the car hasn't had an alignment in a while, I figured it would be a good time to. My steering wheel was also no longer centred to drive straight.

I got the alignment done, but forgot to ask for the print out. Anyway, drove off and later realized my steering wheel was still off centre. So I went back to fix it (now 2 weeks later) and had them give me a printout after they re-aligned the wheels.

The first thing I noticed was how different the before & after were. So now I'm thinking - a) did they even perform an alignment the first time? or b) is my suspension shot to the point where it gets out of whack in 2 weeks. I've eliminated c) they entered non-sport suspension into the machine the first time, because the front left and right angle are very different.

I've an E90 325i sport package. I had the car up on a hoist about 4 weeks ago, and there were no signs of leaky bushings. My front passenger strut had leaked a bit of fluid at one point. Not sure if the strut could cause misalignment and that 0.39 reading.

Just wondering if the latest settings look accurate? And any ideas as to why the before and after are so different? Thanks

vasillalov · 11-25-2013, 10:38 PM

I've seen the same thing happen in my car. I think two things are happening:

1. The bolts that keep the steering rack fixed to the subframe have stretched/loosened.
2. The strut tower bolts have stretched/loosened.

Do you have the alignment pins knocked out?

CALWATERBOY · 11-26-2013, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by magico

About 2 weeks ago I had new rubber put on my winter rims and since the car hasn't had an alignment in a while, I figured it would be a good time to. My steering wheel was also no longer centred to drive straight.

I got the alignment done, but forgot to ask for the print out. Anyway, drove off and later realized my steering wheel was still off centre. So I went back to fix it (now 2 weeks later) and had them give me a printout after they re-aligned the wheels.

The first thing I noticed was how different the before & after were. So now I'm thinking - a) did they even perform an alignment the first time? or b) is my suspension shot to the point where it gets out of whack in 2 weeks. I've eliminated c) they entered non-sport suspension into the machine the first time, because the front left and right angle are very different.

They did a CRAP JOB the first time. Any alignment tech knows the steering wheel's centered when the job's complete. Zero thrust angle too.

Hope you didn't pay twice!

magico · 11-26-2013, 09:59 PM

Sure didn't pay twice. Hope the alignment holds up though. I don't want to wear out the new tires

I'll check the alignment pin tomorrow, but I'm pretty sure it's still in

Anyone have the official specs on e90 sport package to compare to? I've seen a couple different printouts from people

EDIT: Alignment pins are in

11-25-2013, 09:42 PM	#1
magico Private 10 Rep 68 Posts Drives: 2006 E90 325i BSM ZSP 6MT Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: GTA iTrader: (0)	E90 Alignment settings have changed after only 2 weeks About 2 weeks ago I had new rubber put on my winter rims and since the car hasn't had an alignment in a while, I figured it would be a good time to. My steering wheel was also no longer centred to drive straight. I got the alignment done, but forgot to ask for the print out. Anyway, drove off and later realized my steering wheel was still off centre. So I went back to fix it (now 2 weeks later) and had them give me a printout after they re-aligned the wheels. The first thing I noticed was how different the before & after were. So now I'm thinking - a) did they even perform an alignment the first time? or b) is my suspension shot to the point where it gets out of whack in 2 weeks. I've eliminated c) they entered non-sport suspension into the machine the first time, because the front left and right angle are very different. I've an E90 325i sport package. I had the car up on a hoist about 4 weeks ago, and there were no signs of leaky bushings. My front passenger strut had leaked a bit of fluid at one point. Not sure if the strut could cause misalignment and that 0.39 reading. Just wondering if the latest settings look accurate? And any ideas as to why the before and after are so different? Thanks Attached Images __________________ E90 2006 325i - 6MT - BSM
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11-25-2013, 10:38 PM	#2
vasillalov Mad Linux Guru On The Loose 1195 Rep 5,455 Posts Drives: 2008 335i Sedan, 2023 M3 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (5) Garage List 2023 BMW M3 [0.00] 2008 335i E90 [8.00]	I've seen the same thing happen in my car. I think two things are happening: 1. The bolts that keep the steering rack fixed to the subframe have stretched/loosened. 2. The strut tower bolts have stretched/loosened. Do you have the alignment pins knocked out? __________________
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11-26-2013, 09:59 PM	#4
magico Private 10 Rep 68 Posts Drives: 2006 E90 325i BSM ZSP 6MT Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: GTA iTrader: (0)	Sure didn't pay twice. Hope the alignment holds up though. I don't want to wear out the new tires I'll check the alignment pin tomorrow, but I'm pretty sure it's still in Anyone have the official specs on e90 sport package to compare to? I've seen a couple different printouts from people EDIT: Alignment pins are in Last edited by magico; 11-27-2013 at 08:40 AM..
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