[zort]

Hey Guys , looking for some help.

So base 2007 335i and Eibach pro kit with stock dampers. Yes I am fully aware that the dampers should have been done at the same time. But decided on this route.

After the installation tramlining started on the stock 17's. After doing an alignment it still remained. Since then I have installed 19's on 265 /30 tires and the same problem exist.

From the experience of all that have resolved this issue where should I address next ? It seems everyone is pointing to tired but I read an interesting post on dampers as well. What is interesting is that I had no issue until lowering the car.

Thanks in advance.

[feuer]

Post alignment sheet here. Having it done and having it done correctly are very different events that will result again, in very different outcomes.

[zort]

Thank you. Here it is.

[Precision Autosport]

Increasing wheel diameter and running a smaller sidewall height can increase tramlining. Essentially you are making the sidewall stiffer by reducing its size. A 30 sidewall is going to be much stiffer then a 45 sidewall. Tramlining occurs much more often when having a stiffer sidewall, and stiffer suspension. This is one of the draw backs of having performance tires and suspension.
Check your tire pressures aswell. If your tire pressures are higher then they are supposed to be, it will more or less make your sidewalls stiffer.
I would also inspect all of the bushings. Worn out bushings can also cause this.

[feuer]

It started while riding on 17" so no, it is not due to wheel diameter increase. Get another alignment and zero the toe, like 0.05 and if issue persist look into damaged bushings.

[Precision Autosport]

I would highly suggest inspecting all bushings and suspension components. It can be dangerous to drive and cause uneven tire wear. Please let us know what it is that caused this when you find out what it was!

[zort]

Thanks for the responses. I will look into the toe adjustment. Also what is strange is that I had no issues on the stock springs and it was only until the lowering. It seems most solve the issue by changing the tires but I am getting this on both the 17's and 19's.

Also I very much agree that this is not safe at all. Today I lowered the tire pressure to 32 psi and it is helping to absorb some of the issue.

Another forum I was reading mentioned the rebound of the rear shocks which might make some sense since the shocks are now stilling lower with less travel due to the lowering spring.

Next course of action will be to adjust the toe and report back.

-B

[weehe126]

When you lowered it did you loosen and retighten all the control arms and sway bars? Idk if that would cause a problem, just a thought.

[Precision Autosport]

It is recommended to loosen and re tighten control arm bushings at ride height when the car height is changed.

[feuer]

Do you suffer from echophrasia perhaps? Please stop repeating!

[zort]

Regarding the loosing and re-tightening of the control arm. I will give that a shot as well since it was done while the car was on Jack stands. However at the back wouldn't the bushing be on the camber adjustment bolt so that would have been re adjusted at alignment ?

Also it was not my intention to repeat but outline that my suspension components should be fine since there was no issue until lowering.

[feuer]

Is the front that is probably causing tramlining and I was referring to Precision Autosport repeating everything, not only on this thread but other as well. Is annoying. I advised to start with alignment first because often they are not done correctly and also often alignment racks are not being checked for accuracy and car will have different read out on different alignment racks.

[Precision Autosport]

I am sorry if I am being repetitive. I am just suggesting going through things such as inspecting bushings, tire pressure, and rebound on bushings because it is free to do so. An alignment shop typically checks or adds pressure to the tires before performing an alignment. I have personally seen shops over fill tires by more then 15 psi, which would cause the issue he is having. Sorry for annoying you. This was not my intention. Just trying to help out.

[zort]

Thanks all for the input.

So it is funny you raised the issue of the front causing the issue cause I as reading the same today and was mind full of it. So while driving I definitely noticed the back do the fast draft to the side after a small pot hole in the road. And this was after the front went over the same.

Alignment this week and we will see.

[zort]

This is a question -

So I went from an offset of 34mm to 39mm in the rear and 34mm to 37 in the front. Will this affect the alignment and in turn the toe settings and tramling ?

I know nothing about alignments so just asking.

[feuer]

No, not the alignment, it will affect scrub radius only, and that is if rims is same width, which in your case I assume the 19" are wider so the scrub radius is negligibly affected if any.

[zort]

So the alignment shop is saying that the change in offset will impact the overall alignment setting. Once I take it in we will know for sure and try the toe at close to zero as possible.

thx

[feuer]

No wonder why you have issues. Offset only affects the distance the wheel sits from the hub and regardless of how many mm a wheel sits in or out from the hub it will still be parallel to the hub. To be honest I'm not surprised that the mechanic said that. Is either incompetence or laziness or both because they know everyday customers will not complain and when they do they get charged for repairs they do not needed to begin with.

[zort]

So what you said is exactly what I thought it is at the hub. I will take it back and have no intention to pay a red cent.

[zort]

Hey Guys so just to continue with this thread. I went ahead and replace the shocks as well. The rears were shot. However the same issues persist. The car feels loose in the back end. Especially on the passenger rear coming out of a hole in the road or bumpy roads. Both rears are cutting on the outside.

This has to be another alignment issue ?

[zort]

So just thought I would update the thread as someone else may benefit form the info. So coming come after small pot hole and heard a loud knock. Low and behold the rear side that was worst is knocking. The rear upper mount has bused right through. The upper mount rusted right out. Replaced the mounts with the Monroe kit and big improvement.

-B