[E92fanboy]

I installed a set of upper and lower TRW M3 control arms this week. When I first drove the car the steering was crazy loose and I had twice the number of rotations lock to lock on the wheel. I had the alignment done and the shop double checked to make sure everything was tight. The steering is tighter now but still not as precise as it was before. I can't seem to find a thread with the same issue as mine, does anyone know what my problem might be?

[TheeGovernor]

Originally Posted by E92fanboy

I installed a set of upper and lower TRW M3 control arms this week. When I first drove the car the steering was crazy loose and I had twice the number of rotations lock to lock on the wheel. I had the alignment done and the shop double checked to make sure everything was tight. The steering is tighter now but still not as precise as it was before. I can't seem to find a thread with the same issue as mine, does anyone know what my problem might be?

Post your alignment sheet

[feuer]

Exactly! Post the alignment sheet as TheeGovernor said and tell us if shop reset the steering angle position sensor.

[E92fanboy]

The shop did not give me one with my reciept, I will try to get it tomorrow. There is a note from the tech on my reciept that just says "something sounds loose on left front".

[feuer]

I see you are in IL. Where do you live? Are you close to Edgebrook neighborhood in Chicago?

[E92fanboy]

Kinda, I am in North Aurora

[feuer]

I could either refer you to the shop I go to or a shop closer to your area.

[juld0zer]

Did you torque everything to spec? The upper arms (caster arm) needs to be torqued with the wheels on the ground.

Tyre pressures all good? Wheel bolts done up to spec?

The M3 arms, particularly the lower arms do add a noticeable amount of harshness. I'm wondering if the tech is just noting the harshness rather than an actual issue? Hitting potholes and cats eyes the first time after installing them is definitely a shock to the system i admit

[E92fanboy]

The shop went over everything to make sure it was torqued down properly. Good to know the change in ride is normal, noticed that right away.

Could this be a tie rod issue? The shop said they were difficult to work with, is it possible I wore them down enough to be a problem during the install of the control arms?

[feuer]

Tie rods dificult to work with? That is so lame. They are upfront and on the bottom which makes them super easy and accessible. What will this shop do if I bring them an Audi with tie rods on top and behind the wheels? They will flip the car up side down? Stop going there! I PM'ed you info on local shops.

[E92fanboy]

I can't get the alignment specs until Monday. Upon further inspection today when the right wheel is straight, the left wheel is pointing just slightly outwards.

[juld0zer]

lol wow... i cant believe a professional shop can let a car go out like that. Id be returning there with a baseball bat!

More i think about it, i reckon they left a tie rod end loose

[E92fanboy]

Went to a different shop and got another alignment, wheels are straight but the camber is off and they didn't have to tool to adjust it.
https://app.box.com/s/67qqrt2pqslifibklk7vfwn0523k1owd

[juld0zer]

You can only punch out the locator pin to get half a degree more, which in your situation might equalise it a bit

[feuer]

E92fanboy why you keep going to random shops?

[E92fanboy]

All the places that seem to specialize in our cars are about 45 minutes away. I called a shop nearby that works on Porsche's and they said they send their cars to firestone for this sort of thing so I thought it was worth a shot. I'll probably end up at Zima if I can't find a solution soon.

Is the camber too far off for me to be able to correct with the camber tool if I buy it?

[feuer]

Well 45 min away or having to do yet another alignment. You wasted your time and money. You don't need a tool and as juld0zer said removal of the centering pin will remedy the issue. However need to be done on alignment rack as making changes on one affects all four wheels. It will pull to side with less camber. Tire wear won't be even either.

[juld0zer]

You dont need to take the car to a high end shop. Id rather go somewhere where they have the time to get things perfect, not where they hold a cow prodder behind the technician's back while they do the work just so they can toe-n-go the other 20 Corollas that need to be done by lunchtime.

It's not a difficult car to work on

Does the steering actually feel a bit more normal now?

[E92fanboy]

It does, steering is tighter but not quite stock. Same thing with number of turns lock to lock.

Originally Posted by E92fanboy

Went to a different shop and got another alignment, wheels are straight but the camber is off and they didn't have to tool to adjust it.
https://app.box.com/s/67qqrt2pqslifibklk7vfwn0523k1owd

omg look at those "before" numbers...

The original shop should be stripped of their credentials....come to think of it, so should the second shop for "not having the tool" to adjust camber

Plus, toe all around is just awful...I mean, come on.

[juld0zer]

Hence why the steering felt weird when approaching the end stops, it feels like the car suddenly wants to pull you in very hard.

[E92fanboy]

I got in touch with Zima Motorsports and will be taking it into them on Monday. Thanks everyone for your help!