"Max Adjustment" for Alignment

Drivaar · 04-09-2012, 08:20 PM

After my last alignment, the camber settings were way off from what I wanted... Instead of -1.4, the alignment shop said they could only do -0.1, and they circled it saying "max".

So, my question is...

WTF???

How is that possible? I've seen this from other alignment shops once in a while in the past even on my old car...

Is it because they are idiots who are setting up the alignment machine wrong?

Also, some people have said that the camber in the E90 is not adjustable... is that true? I feel like it definitely it, as I have had it successfully adjusted in the past.

I'm not going for anything weird or out of spec -- just going for very middle-of-the-road settings...

Any advice?

Thanks!!

5tony · 04-10-2012, 07:05 AM

Does the e9X even have a way to adjust front camber? I assume the rear is adjustable using the eccentric bolt for the adjustment as are most BMWs.

Drivaar · 04-10-2012, 09:13 AM

(ping)

Any other thoughts?

Thanks!

SneakyDeeky · 04-12-2012, 11:30 PM

I believe you need to install aftermarket camber plates in order to adjust the front. Rear can go to -3.1 with stock adjustments.

SneakyDeeky · 04-12-2012, 11:32 PM

Correction; I found this with a basic search...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pcemkr

You can get -1.1 and -3.1 degrees of camber on stock front/rear respectively.
You'll only need more than that if you're running very wide/low offset wheels.

mike-y · 04-12-2012, 11:36 PM

From the factory, the front camber isn't adjustable. You have to remove the alignment pin on the guide support, which will then let you adjust camber up front. But it's not much, about -1 degree or so max.

Drivaar · 04-13-2012, 10:11 AM

Thanks... but I am confused! So what do alignment shops do when you come in with front camber that is out of spec, if the camber is not adjustable?

I've been shown a photo of the screws for camber adjustment, supposedly... so that makes me think it IS adjustable...

I'm confused...

Any wisdom?

David1 · 04-13-2012, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drivaar

Thanks... but I am confused! So what do alignment shops do when you come in with front camber that is out of spec, if the camber is not adjustable?

I've been shown a photo of the screws for camber adjustment, supposedly... so that makes me think it IS adjustable...

I'm confused...

Any wisdom?

They don't do anything. If camber is way out of spec something is bent. Swap the control arms to the M3 units and you will get more camber.

Drivaar · 04-13-2012, 12:42 PM

David1: but if the adjustments don't do anything, how is it that shops are able to fix the camber when the car comes in with a number that is out of spec?

I've seen multiple shops do this successfully (and I can feel the difference) without any additional modifications to my car...

Thanks!

David1 · 04-13-2012, 02:06 PM

Rear is adjustable the front is not. If you remove the pins up front you get a little adjustment up front. The X5 is even worse, you have to try different control arms to adjust front camber and there are three to pick from at 450 bucks each!

Drivaar · 04-13-2012, 04:25 PM

David1: heh...

But I'm still confused: if my front camber is changing from one visit to another (at the same shop), how is the possible if it's fixed?

And how is it possible for the shop to change it? (I guess the latter may be explained by the "little adjustment" that you mentioned.)

David1 · 04-13-2012, 05:37 PM

It can not move up front unless you have worn joints at the front carrier or the to[p bearing plate. If the pins are in the struts can not move. Also, you can take the car off the rack drive around the block and remeasure and it will not be the same.

Drivaar · 04-13-2012, 05:46 PM

Thanks again David1.

Of course each time you measure it can vary... but I would guess that those variations are pretty small, whereas some of the variation I'm seeing has been quite large. (Even when it's the same shop, just 2 months apart.)

So... it makes me think about the worn joints you mention. Are those easy to check, and how much might they cost to replace?

Thank you again! I'm learning a lot, and for that I am very grateful.

David1 · 04-14-2012, 10:20 AM

How many miles on the car and any rattles?

Drivaar · 04-14-2012, 03:04 PM

66K+ miles, no significant rattles.

HP Autosport · 04-16-2012, 11:13 PM

If your front camber is out of spec and can not be brough within specs, look for a bent control arm or other suspension component. It will not be possible to achieve -1.4 with oem parts and no camber plates.

04-09-2012, 08:20 PM	#1
Drivaar Lieutenant 73 Rep 463 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Earth iTrader: (0)	"Max Adjustment" for Alignment After my last alignment, the camber settings were way off from what I wanted... Instead of -1.4, the alignment shop said they could only do -0.1, and they circled it saying "max". So, my question is... WTF??? How is that possible? I've seen this from other alignment shops once in a while in the past even on my old car... Is it because they are idiots who are setting up the alignment machine wrong? Also, some people have said that the camber in the E90 is not adjustable... is that true? I feel like it definitely it, as I have had it successfully adjusted in the past. I'm not going for anything weird or out of spec -- just going for very middle-of-the-road settings... Any advice? Thanks!!
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

04-10-2012, 07:05 AM	#2
5tony Lieutenant 146 Rep 499 Posts Drives: '21 M5/'15 X5 35i/'88 M3 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (1)	Does the e9X even have a way to adjust front camber? I assume the rear is adjustable using the eccentric bolt for the adjustment as are most BMWs. __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-10-2012, 09:13 AM	#3
Drivaar Lieutenant 73 Rep 463 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Earth iTrader: (0)	(ping) Any other thoughts? Thanks!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-12-2012, 11:30 PM	#4
SneakyDeeky driver mod in progress 225 Rep 1,858 Posts Drives: with both feet Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Redondo Beach, CA iTrader: (6) Garage List 2015 VW Golf R [5.50] 2014 Audi SQ5 [10.00]	I believe you need to install aftermarket camber plates in order to adjust the front. Rear can go to -3.1 with stock adjustments. __________________ '15 VW Golf R \| '14 Audi SQ5 \| '08 Audi Q7 4.2 \| '07 BMW 335i \|
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-12-2012, 11:36 PM	#6
mike-y just another bmw douche bag 195 Rep 3,640 Posts Drives: 1.9L of fury Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (4)	From the factory, the front camber isn't adjustable. You have to remove the alignment pin on the guide support, which will then let you adjust camber up front. But it's not much, about -1 degree or so max.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-13-2012, 10:11 AM	#7
Drivaar Lieutenant 73 Rep 463 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Earth iTrader: (0)	Thanks... but I am confused! So what do alignment shops do when you come in with front camber that is out of spec, if the camber is not adjustable? I've been shown a photo of the screws for camber adjustment, supposedly... so that makes me think it IS adjustable... I'm confused... Any wisdom?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-13-2012, 12:42 PM	#9
Drivaar Lieutenant 73 Rep 463 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Earth iTrader: (0)	David1: but if the adjustments don't do anything, how is it that shops are able to fix the camber when the car comes in with a number that is out of spec? I've seen multiple shops do this successfully (and I can feel the difference) without any additional modifications to my car... Thanks!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-13-2012, 02:06 PM	#10
David1 Brigadier General 814 Rep 3,949 Posts Drives: 09 E92 09 X5 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Columbus, OH iTrader: (1)	Rear is adjustable the front is not. If you remove the pins up front you get a little adjustment up front. The X5 is even worse, you have to try different control arms to adjust front camber and there are three to pick from at 450 bucks each! __________________ 2021 M2 Comp Sunset Orange \|Black with orange Stitching Dakota Leather\|Executive Pkg\|DCT
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-13-2012, 04:25 PM	#11
Drivaar Lieutenant 73 Rep 463 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Earth iTrader: (0)	David1: heh... But I'm still confused: if my front camber is changing from one visit to another (at the same shop), how is the possible if it's fixed? And how is it possible for the shop to change it? (I guess the latter may be explained by the "little adjustment" that you mentioned.)
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-13-2012, 05:37 PM	#12
David1 Brigadier General 814 Rep 3,949 Posts Drives: 09 E92 09 X5 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Columbus, OH iTrader: (1)	It can not move up front unless you have worn joints at the front carrier or the to[p bearing plate. If the pins are in the struts can not move. Also, you can take the car off the rack drive around the block and remeasure and it will not be the same. __________________ 2021 M2 Comp Sunset Orange \|Black with orange Stitching Dakota Leather\|Executive Pkg\|DCT
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-13-2012, 05:46 PM	#13
Drivaar Lieutenant 73 Rep 463 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Earth iTrader: (0)	Thanks again David1. Of course each time you measure it can vary... but I would guess that those variations are pretty small, whereas some of the variation I'm seeing has been quite large. (Even when it's the same shop, just 2 months apart.) So... it makes me think about the worn joints you mention. Are those easy to check, and how much might they cost to replace? Thank you again! I'm learning a lot, and for that I am very grateful.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-14-2012, 10:20 AM	#14
David1 Brigadier General 814 Rep 3,949 Posts Drives: 09 E92 09 X5 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Columbus, OH iTrader: (1)	How many miles on the car and any rattles? __________________ 2021 M2 Comp Sunset Orange \|Black with orange Stitching Dakota Leather\|Executive Pkg\|DCT
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-14-2012, 03:04 PM	#15
Drivaar Lieutenant 73 Rep 463 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Earth iTrader: (0)	66K+ miles, no significant rattles.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-16-2012, 11:13 PM	#16
HP Autosport Supreme Allied Commander 3837 Rep 54,338 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Santa Barbara, AP, Brembo, GIAC, Koni, Ohlins, Performance Friction, www.hpautosport.com iTrader: (36)	If your front camber is out of spec and can not be brough within specs, look for a bent control arm or other suspension component. It will not be possible to achieve -1.4 with oem parts and no camber plates.
	Appreciate 0 Quote