2006 330i M3 Front Control Arm Upgrade WAY out of spec.

dwashy · 01-31-2018, 06:35 PM

So I've tried to do as much searching as I can, but can't find anyone else who has had similar issues with fitting M3 Control Arms to an E90 330i. I've installed the 'thrust arm' that reaches forward, and the lower one on each side of the car.

Today I dropped it off to get aligned, and I'm told that they are unable to align the car to spec. I believe they said the tie-rods are too short to correctly adjust the toe. The pins on the strut mounts have already been pulled they say.

Is the M3 Control Arm upgrade compatible with the E90 330i? I assumed it was, perhaps mistakenly. I'm off to pickup the car here soon, once I've done so I'll be sure to put up the alignment specs it's currently at.

If anyone has suggestions or insight into the issue I'm facing I would be eternally grateful if you shared it

feuer · 01-31-2018, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwashy

If anyone has suggestions or insight into the issue I'm facing I would be eternally grateful if you shared it

Yes! I have. Go to another shop. Within spec wtf? Incompetent fools.

dwashy · 01-31-2018, 09:53 PM

https://drive.google.com/file/d/15uL...ew?usp=sharing

The shop was saying the LCAs were too short, not allowing them to adjust out the toe. Tires are like / \ . I'll give another shop a ring. I sincerely hope you're right.

feuer · 01-31-2018, 10:59 PM

Horrible alignment. Sorry. Competent shop will sort this for you.

dwashy · 02-01-2018, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by feuer

Horrible alignment. Sorry. Competent shop will sort this for you.

Thank you for the confident response lol. I'm gonna stop by another shop 'Autobahn Motorwerks' that exclusively works on Bimmers tomorrow morning. Hopefully they can get me sorted, and if I'm lucky a shuttle to work

I'll update the thread with however those proceedings go

dwashy · 02-01-2018, 09:29 AM

Took it to a new shop today, and they looked confused at the fact the other shop was having difficulty. Their next availability is Monday so that's when it'll get taken in. Debating adjusting the tie rods myself in the meantime because this pidgeon toe on the front end is driving me insane.

Of all the things I can do, wish alignment was one of them :/

feuer · 02-01-2018, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwashy

Took it to a new shop today, and they looked confused at the fact the other shop was having difficulty. Their next availability is Monday so that's when it'll get taken in. Debating adjusting the tie rods myself in the meantime because this pidgeon toe on the front end is driving me insane.

Of all the things I can do, wish alignment was one of them :/

I figured that much. Not everyone working at mechanic shop really should. I do alignments myself. On a actual alignment rack but also Balkan style too, on my patio lol http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...02&postcount=6

GATORB8 · 02-01-2018, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwashy

https://drive.google.com/file/d/15uL...ew?usp=sharing

The shop was saying the LCAs were too short, not allowing them to adjust out the toe. Tires are like / \ . I'll give another shop a ring. I sincerely hope you're right.

Shouldn't he be using the M3 specs to align your car to? I thought the extra .75* of negative camber was the big selling point.

Digitalize · 02-01-2018, 10:23 AM

He's on about toe not camber. / \ is looking from above not behind.

dwashy · 02-01-2018, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digitalize

He's on about toe not camber. / \ is looking from above not behind.

Yea I probably should have clarified there lol. Searching some more last night I settled on these as target specs. Seemed like what worked well for most people.

Front Camber: -1.3 to -1.5 degrees, match
Rear Camber: close to -1.7, match

Front Toe: 1/16"
Rear Toe: 1/8"

dwashy · 02-01-2018, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by feuer

I figured that much. Not everyone working at mechanic shop really should. I do alignments myself. On a actual alignment rack but also Balkan style too, on my patio lol http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...02&postcount=6

How consistently and precisely can you align via this method? I'd love to try it!

dwashy · 02-01-2018, 11:18 AM

Found this video, seems easy enough. Will attempt when I get off today, don't think alignment could get any worse then it currently is

feuer · 02-01-2018, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwashy

How consistently and precisely can you align via this method? I'd love to try it!

I don't know how to post a video on here. I could email it to you. Or send to phone. Is 99% dead on. Can show you the tires as well to see the wear.

GATORB8 · 02-01-2018, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digitalize

He's on about toe not camber. / \ is looking from above not behind.

Not to muddy the OP's question, and I should probably go review the alignment procedure, but isn't -0.3* camber on his FL low for a car with M3 control arms? Camber isn't really adjustable because it's pinned, right?

feuer · 02-01-2018, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GATORB8

Not to muddy the OP's question, and I should probably go review the alignment procedure, but isn't -0.3* camber on his FL low for a car with M3 control arms? Camber isn't really adjustable because it's pinned, right?

The readout would vary depending on few factors such operator competence to setup the car properly on the rack, how accurate the rack is, possible suspension issues or tires issue like worn out or under inflated. From what I have seen so far form this shop I would complete ignore and dismiss any numbers they have on that paper lol.

GATORB8 · 02-01-2018, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by feuer

The readout would vary depending on few factors such operator competence to setup the car properly on the rack, how accurate the rack is, possible suspension issues or tires issue like worn out or under inflated. From what I have seen so far form this shop I would complete ignore and dismiss any numbers they have on that paper lol.

That makes sense. Thanks.

DoubleParked · 02-01-2018, 05:31 PM

Any DIY wheel alignment that measures to the tire sidewall isn't going to be as accurate as one that measures to a machined surface on the rim, since tires can have bulges and depressions.

Hard to do on a car, but on a lifted truck you can actually get an accurate toe adjustment by jacking up each of the front tires, and spinning them while creating a white stripe on the tread with chalk or spray paint. Then spin again and scribe a fine link in the white material with a nail. Measure the width from line to line on the front and back sides of the tire, and you have your toe measurement.

01-31-2018, 06:35 PM	#1
dwashy Private First Class 65 Rep 156 Posts Drives: 2006 E90 330i Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: MO iTrader: (1)	2006 330i M3 Front Control Arm Upgrade WAY out of spec. So I've tried to do as much searching as I can, but can't find anyone else who has had similar issues with fitting M3 Control Arms to an E90 330i. I've installed the 'thrust arm' that reaches forward, and the lower one on each side of the car. Today I dropped it off to get aligned, and I'm told that they are unable to align the car to spec. I believe they said the tie-rods are too short to correctly adjust the toe. The pins on the strut mounts have already been pulled they say. Is the M3 Control Arm upgrade compatible with the E90 330i? I assumed it was, perhaps mistakenly. I'm off to pickup the car here soon, once I've done so I'll be sure to put up the alignment specs it's currently at. If anyone has suggestions or insight into the issue I'm facing I would be eternally grateful if you shared it
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01-31-2018, 09:53 PM	#3
dwashy Private First Class 65 Rep 156 Posts Drives: 2006 E90 330i Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: MO iTrader: (1)	https://drive.google.com/file/d/15uL...ew?usp=sharing The shop was saying the LCAs were too short, not allowing them to adjust out the toe. Tires are like / \ . I'll give another shop a ring. I sincerely hope you're right. Last edited by dwashy; 01-31-2018 at 09:56 PM.. Reason: trying to get image to display
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01-31-2018, 10:59 PM	#4
feuer Major General 4288 Rep 9,224 Posts Drives: wife crazy! Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (5)	Horrible alignment. Sorry. Competent shop will sort this for you.
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02-01-2018, 09:29 AM	#6
dwashy Private First Class 65 Rep 156 Posts Drives: 2006 E90 330i Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: MO iTrader: (1)	Took it to a new shop today, and they looked confused at the fact the other shop was having difficulty. Their next availability is Monday so that's when it'll get taken in. Debating adjusting the tie rods myself in the meantime because this pidgeon toe on the front end is driving me insane. Of all the things I can do, wish alignment was one of them :/
	Appreciate 1 feuer4287.50 Quote

02-01-2018, 10:23 AM	#9
Digitalize Photographer 407 Rep 2,635 Posts Drives: 320D Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	He's on about toe not camber. / \ is looking from above not behind.
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02-01-2018, 11:18 AM	#12
dwashy Private First Class 65 Rep 156 Posts Drives: 2006 E90 330i Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: MO iTrader: (1)	Found this video, seems easy enough. Will attempt when I get off today, don't think alignment could get any worse then it currently is
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02-01-2018, 05:31 PM	#17
DoubleParked New Member 7 Rep 23 Posts Drives: 325i Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: High Desert, under a Joshua Tree iTrader: (0)	Any DIY wheel alignment that measures to the tire sidewall isn't going to be as accurate as one that measures to a machined surface on the rim, since tires can have bulges and depressions. Hard to do on a car, but on a lifted truck you can actually get an accurate toe adjustment by jacking up each of the front tires, and spinning them while creating a white stripe on the tread with chalk or spray paint. Then spin again and scribe a fine link in the white material with a nail. Measure the width from line to line on the front and back sides of the tire, and you have your toe measurement.
	Appreciate 0 Quote