[LotusBMW]

Guys, just got a proper wheel alignment done. By that I mean done by a suspension shop who knows what they're doing, have the right equipment, that is calibrated properly and staff who understand and care.

The reason I did this was because my car was steering from the rear under full throttle, with traction, and particularly with road camber or some steering wheel angle. It was unnerving and felt weird so I thought I'd check the alignment as a start point.

Some details about the car. It's a wagon!

And it's got JB4, DCIs, catless down pipes, goes like a rocket as you all know. Suspension-wise, it has ST coilovers, front M3 upper and lower arms, M3 rear subframe bushes, M factory LSD, and 18 inch rimz with non run-flats.

Sheesh I forgot how much I've had done.

Anyhow the before and after alignment is attached. The old alignment was a joke with rear toe being +3.4mm on one side and -3.0mm on the other. No friggin wonder it wanted to steer its self under throttle. I've taken it a little sideways and it seems much more predictable now, but need a bit more seat time to confirm this. Car tracks much better on the freeway, the steering is lighter and far better. I no longer feel like I'm having to make small corrections all the time.

The last alignment was done by a Beaurepairs, on the instruction from a well known, liked and partonised specialist indy workshop in Vic. I shall be letting them know they need to consider the quality of their current supplier as I've not hit anything and it's not been anywhere else.

I should have known better. Anyone who's been around car knows that all wheel alignments are not the same and the impact it can have on how a car drives. So, might be worth getting yours checked as if it's not right it could be you're putting up with inferior suspension performance unnecessarily. I used Traction Tyres and Suspension in Rowville and had a good experience. $135 incl GST.

[JJH]

Originally Posted by LotusBMW

The reason I did this was because my car was steering from the rear under full throttle, with traction, and particularly with road camber or some steering wheel angle. It was unnerving and felt weird so I thought I'd check the alignment as a start point.

Thanks for posting - this is good info. Have you noticed if the odd rear end behaviour has been eliminated, now you have a proper alignment? I get this at times too (like yours, mine is FBO with all the M3 bits front and rear) and it bugs me. I was considering whether to try Rogue Engineering E9X Rear Toe Arms to cure this - maybe just ensuring a proper wheel alignment is all that is needed ....

[LotusBMW]

Originally Posted by JJH_335

Thanks for posting - this is good info. Have you noticed if the odd rear end behaviour has been eliminated, now you have a proper alignment? I get this at times too (like yours, mine is FBO with all the M3 bits front and rear) and it bugs me. I was considering whether to try Rogue Engineering E9X Rear Toe Arms to cure this - maybe just ensuring a proper wheel alignment is all that is needed ....

Too soon to say but the whole thing feels a lot more planted. I would suggest by the way it went sideways the rear end is much more predictable overall, but I'll report back once I've driven it for a bit longer. It has to be better given the old rear toe settings were so out. I'm happy my static toe is good now, the only question remains what happens under load. I thought I had M3 rear control arms but it turns out I don't. Apparently the M3 items are much stiffer and resolve a lot of the dynamic toe change issues but it seems you're still feeling it.

So, given the low cost of an alignment it's definitely the place to start in my opinion. Go somewhere where there are racecars in the parking lot!

[JJH]

Originally Posted by LotusBMW

Apparently the M3 items are much stiffer and resolve a lot of the dynamic toe change issues but it seems you're still feeling it.

So, given the low cost of an alignment it's definitely the place to start in my opinion. Go somewhere where there are racecars in the parking lot!

Feedback once you have had the chance to do a longer drive would be much appreciated. The upgrade to the M3 rear upper guide links/upper wishbone arms and the sub-frame bushings have made a difference — no denying that they were worthwhile. But they have not entirely cured that odd feeling at the rear when WOT.

I'll definitely look at having the alignment checked.

[DR-JEKL]

Happy days!!!

I had roadandrace performance do a wheel alignment for me on my last car and it was a night and day difference! No more tracking on rough roads and the steering response was a lot better (sadly I didnt get a printout at the time to see what he had changed)

http://www.roadandraceperformance.com.au/

Wow can't believe how far out your settings were! Have you done any work to the car since the wheel alignment???

All the oem 335i toe arms etc would deflect a lot, I've literally only spent an hour driving my car with the m3 spec driveline and it's a revelation with how it loads up through corners with minimal roll and also how little deflection there is when WOT.

[Socket]

So it's back from surgery DRJ

[DR-JEKL]

Originally Posted by Socket

So it's back from surgery DRJ

Yup!

I shall update my build thread later in the week!

[Socket]

Awesome .... Can't wait !!!

[LotusBMW]

Originally Posted by JJH_335

Feedback once you have had the chance to do a longer drive would be much appreciated. The upgrade to the M3 rear upper guide links/upper wishbone arms and the sub-frame bushings have made a difference — no denying that they were worthwhile. But they have not entirely cured that odd feeling at the rear when WOT.

I'll definitely look at having the alignment checked.

Anyhoo back to me. Done a few tests over the last week and the alignment has sorted the rear steer issue for sure. Steering is much nicer too. No big surprise as the car was so damn mis-aligned beforehand.

[JJH]

That is good to hear - thanks for the update!

[vtl]

Originally Posted by LotusBMW

Anyhoo back to me. Done a few tests over the last week and the alignment has sorted the rear steer issue for sure. Steering is much nicer too. No big surprise as the car was so damn mis-aligned beforehand.

Cool, tempted to get an alignment done although this place is a bit steep.

I want a place to do max out the camber (i have already pulled the strut alignment pins) and don't trust the local tyre shops to do it. Don't want scratches on my strut tops and want the bolts done up to torque properly.

Might do guide rods and toe arm bushings first then do the alignment after that.

[Armadyllo]

I use Traction Tyres after Sockets recommendation (Thanks Socket), they seemed to do a good job and the car drives nicely.

Oddly enough the car was barely out of alignment after installing the M3 Rear Subframe bushes and Koni FSD shocks, only a few minor tweaks were required.

[MJ80.]

How do you work out what places will do a proper alignment and what places will just do the bare minimum?

[DR-JEKL]

Originally Posted by MJ80.

How do you work out what places will do a proper alignment and what places will just do the bare minimum?

Race cars parked out the front

[Socket]

Getting SPCGRY alignment done today at Traction. Will give feedback after the jobs done

[Socket]

Job done but I posted in the wrong spot
Posted on my build thread

[vtl]

Just dropped off my car at Traction Tyres in Rowville as well.

I've pulled the alignment pins on my strut towers so getting them to max out the camber. I have fitted M3 control arms as well so hopefully Ill get 1.2-1.4 degrees of negative camber when it is all aligned. Was actually a pig to drive as the car wasn't tracking straight.

Also fitting a set of Yokohama AD08-Rs my rear run flats are bald on the inside edges. The AD08-Rs are approximately the same price as the Michelin Pilot Super Sports but they're a bit gripper as they are a semi race/road tyre. Will be interesting to see how they hold up at Winton and they should ride a lot nicer.

[vtl]

Haven't driven the car much after alignment but I can say the ride quality is so much better. Car is still obviously firm but now it doesn't crash over bumps as much. The AD08Rs apparently have a pretty stiff sidewall for sharp response.

I had fitted polyurethane subframe bushings and they really made the car a bit harsh over bumps. Now with the nromal tyres its quite nice. Firm but not crashy is the best way I can describe.

[donR]

Originally Posted by LotusBMW

Anyhoo back to me. Done a few tests over the last week and the alignment has sorted the rear steer issue for sure. Steering is much nicer too. No big surprise as the car was so damn mis-aligned beforehand.

Have you done your suspension upgrades in stages or all at once? What would you consider the most important mods so far?

Just wondering how close we can get our E91s to handling like an E90M3.

Weight and wheel base are almost identical and rear track is very close with spacers, front a bit narrower but then the inline 6 is lighter (cf V8). Maybe the weight distribution is even a little better in the E91 with the heavier back?

Also on power and torque combined with your mods you must now be potentially quicker or as quick as the M3.

I am keen to take ours on a drive day but need to get the suspension fully sorted first.