[stuartfung]

Hi folks,

I have been to two different places to get my 4 wheel alignment and tracking done, the last place I was even shown the BlackTech figures come up against my car and which wheels were way out.
But even after they completed the job, my steering was still feeling as if I'm steering to the right slightly, and when the steering wheel is pointing to dead straight ahead, I am veering to the left. Driving on the motorway and letting the wheel go (this is on a straight stretch), the car veers to the left.
Have I got other issues i.e. steering rack damage or coils, suspension, and what other things to check?
Should I go back to the latest job and demand them to reconfigure the geometry?

[AdrianSi]

It could be something as simple as tyres. What tyres are you using? Have they got even wear on the front?

[335DEE]

What kind of kit do these people use , you should be looking for something like the Hunter hawkeye wheel alignment system

[stuartfung]

One garage uses blacktech and after adjustments with this one it is definitely pulling to the left and steering wheel turned slightly to the right. Ever so annoying. Gonna go back there get them to re-check it all.

[stuartfung]

Oh and the rears are wearing more on the inner section of the tyre.

[Business edition]

Yesterday I changed a ball joint on my car and I when to get my tracking done. And it pulls to the left or right. And on his computer it says everything is bang on I took it back to him 3 times.

But weeks before that he did it, it was bang on.

So I got the same problem as you.

BMW charge 149 pound for tracking

[doughboy]

Its all in the operator unfortunately, even if they have the best kit in the world, if the operator is poor the results will be poor.

Never heard of Blacktech though.

A proper hunter optical machine should be fine, but a lot of operators don't setup the rear carefully (which has to be done first as it effects the front).

On a RWD car the rear alignment gives the thrust angle (the angle that the car is 'pushed' at) which then offsets the required front geometry.

Its best if they spend the time to get the rear set spot on so the thrust angle is zero degrees, the the fronts can be set spot on too.

If the rear is out, the front will need to be set offset to compensate, and if they don't clamp the steering wheel properly then it will be out too.

[stuartfung]

So, does anyone in Stockport or Wigan area recommend a place they've had their 4 wheel alignment done and was sound?

[Falmouthboy]

When we had the 130i done at a Hunter franchise we had similar issues. The chap said it was probably down to the uneven tyre wear on my 70% worn fronts, (hence the need for the alignment). I was sceptical, but sure enough, new front tyres later and all was perfect.

[G_M_S]

Got mine booked into Lloyd's tomorrow to have its alignment completed, will let you know what they say and do.

Last time they tried to do it their machine's computer packed up.

Reckoned that a BMW dealer should be able to correct any issues they find, don't want to find myself in an independent and have a track rod seize or break or worse and they don't have any parts or capability to repair. Havign said that, the BM's don't seem to eat track rod like my Audis used too. Every 60 to 80'000 miles I was needing new track rods on the A6 Quattro - nothing yet on either the E61 or current E91 (fingers crossed -having said that - you know what's going to happen tomorrow...........)

[stuartfung]

Well, went back to get the 4 wheel alignment re-checked and guess what, the so called technician said "the geometry was slightly out, dunno why must've tapped in the wrong make of car". Anyway, he re-aligned it all (with my eyes on him this time), and the car now travels 'true'.
The system was a BlackTech and like someone else said on this forum, the machine's only as good as the person operating it to get you the true results!!

Now, I can, once again, fully enjoy my car.

[stuartfung]

Had to replace the NS lower rear bush as this was recorded by Halfords Autocentres as excessive play, so went and had this replaced by my local BMW Indy. Since then, the steering doesn't steer in a straight line, it seems to pull to the left slightly and evident that when driving a straight line, the steering wheel seems to offset pointing slightly to the right.

So, does this mean that the fitment of the new bush has had some adverse steering/tracking of the overall geometry of the running wheels??

Am thinking getting 4 wheel alignment (again) to resolve this.

What do folks think?

[superflyguy9]

Originally Posted by LeMansBlue330d

So, does anyone in Stockport or Wigan area recommend a place they've had their 4 wheel alignment done and was sound?

After similar problems with my Impreza (cowboys really screwed up the 4 wheel alignment) I sent it to prosport in Stockport - bingo. They set it up properly. Was a long time ago but they had a good rep back then, worth a shot.

[acerboo]

when I took mine to bmw they said they couldn't do a proper job if the yres were worn, I was getting it down as the bridgestones had worn on the rear insiders (funny that) I had a new set of tyres fitted bmw did the job and it was perfect. honestly think with a bmw its best to bend over take the punishment and pay the money.

[ian_m]

Originally Posted by LeMansBlue330d

Had to replace the NS lower rear bush as this was recorded by Halfords Autocentres as excessive play, so went and had this replaced by my local BMW Indy. Since then, the steering doesn't steer in a straight line, it seems to pull to the left slightly and evident that when driving a straight line, the steering wheel seems to offset pointing slightly to the right.

So, does this mean that the fitment of the new bush has had some adverse steering/tracking of the overall geometry of the running wheels??

Am thinking getting 4 wheel alignment (again) to resolve this.

What do folks think?

i'd just go to blue bell in wilmslow, they did mine or do mine.

it costs about £200 ish but its always correct until the next time i damage it

[Rudz]

use this link to find the nearest Hunter alignment center

http://www.alignmycar.co.uk/

got mine done for about £90 when I changed from 17's to 19's

[Sir_Pigley]

Originally Posted by LeMansBlue330d

Oh and the rears are wearing more on the inner section of the tyre.

Both of my 330ds have done that. I think its normal.

[parapaul]

It is with RFTs. Since I changed to normal tyres they're wearing as even as can be.

[hobo mofo]

I had my tyres changed last year but never had my wheels aligned. Is it worth getting them checked even though im not having any steering problems?

[two,_OH_five]

Unless you're going to string the car yourself getting a 4 wheel alignment just for the sake of it isn't really necessary. It doesn't hurt for peace of mind but if there's no symptoms there's likely no issue

@LM330
Sounds like the rear alignment is out with incorrect toe on the wheel they changed. You can do a reasonable by eye test with a long straight edge across the wheel. Check the alignment side to side

I don't know of anyone in your immediate area but Demon Tweeks are reasonably close

Inner edge wear on the rear is typically down to the high camber that BMW run on the rear. Especially bad with rft as the stiff sidewalls don't allow the tyres to deform as much thus heavily loading the inner edge

[stuartfung]

Took the E90 to a specialist in 4 wheel alignment and after getting the car back after driving the car drives true (but not been on motorway to be sure) but the steering wheel still looks like it's not dead ahead when driving straight.
What other suggestions other than have a re-check. But then again, i saw the figures and looked okay to me. The guy doing the job said the figures were way out before he touched it.

[phil200tdi]

Wheels in Motion in Chesham do club meet days where they host the meet and check the steering geometry and alignment of anyone wanting it..

http://www.wheels-inmotion.co.uk/

I'd be up for it if anyone else is interested?