[Monster900]

I just installed M3 lower control arm only (rest of suspension is stock) and have noticed while taking for a test drive that when turning, car wants to keep turning (doesn't straiten itself) which looks like the caster is off. Do I need to install tension strut (upper arms) to make it right or will alignment fix it? Some on this forum say that there is no caster adjustment in our cars, is that true?

Thanks for your help guys

[ECSTuning]

Anytime you remove any suspension component it's a good idea to get the car properly aligned. I would start with that and see how the car drives afterwords.

[Thumperx]

Originally Posted by ECSTuning

Anytime you remove any suspension component it's a good idea to get the car properly aligned. I would start with that and see how the car drives afterwords.

Agreed with above statement. I think you're correct about the caster issue. There seems to be an absent of high self-centering tire action which is not of being counter balanced by the typical amount of small negative caster settings in the suspension.

Have the car aligned, and see how the car behaves. If the problem remains, then install the tension arm. I'm not experiencing the type is issue that you've stated.

In general, this is an example where one uses only one segment of the M3 suspension and causes more harm than good. Using ALL of the M3 bits (frt &rr) really makes the handling shines on the E9X cars.

[NJ 1161]

Did the tracking fix this? Just had arms fitted and drives horribly. Shop says toe in way out and doing this week, which I'm hoping fixes?

Loads of tyre noise and resistance currently, and as you said dosnt straighten it self.

[mlifxs]

Originally Posted by NJ 1161

Did the tracking fix this? Just had arms fitted and drives horribly. Shop says toe in way out and doing this week, which I'm hoping fixes?

Loads of tyre noise and resistance currently, and as you said dosnt straighten it self.

think if you increase (negative) camber, which the wishbones do, you push toe out. When I pulled my alignment pins and increased my camber, that's what happened.

OP I'm also curious if an alignment cured your problem. I've considered just adding M3 wishbones without tension struts. Your post made me wonder if there's a problem doing so. Hope your alignment fixed things.

[e679]

Originally Posted by Monster900

I just installed M3 lower control arm only (rest of suspension is stock) and have noticed while taking for a test drive that when turning, car wants to keep turning (doesn't straiten itself) which looks like the caster is off. Do I need to install tension strut (upper arms) to make it right or will alignment fix it? Some on this forum say that there is no caster adjustment in our cars, is that true?

Thanks for your help guys

I having just installed the m3 bits also. The issue will be fix once you have your alignment done (to correct the toe in)
Do expect a heavier, better response steering after the mod.

[Monster900]

Originally Posted by e679

I having just installed the m3 bits also. The issue will be fix once you have your alignment done (to correct the toe in)
Do expect a heavier, better response steering after the mod.

^ This. There is no need to install tension arms while installing lower control arms (wishbouns).

[mlifxs]

Originally Posted by Monster900

^ This. There is no need to install tension arms while installing lower control arms (wishbouns).

great, thanks for responding and glad it worked out

[NJ 1161]

Picking mine up tomorrow, but they have told me via phone phone that adjusting toe in/ out has sorted it. Will confirm once picked up.

[Evil///M]

Awesome, I just did mine tonight and noticed the same thing, I even made another thread about it. This has solved my issue.