Call pulling to the right after alignment

soybmw · 09-13-2018, 11:38 AM

I took my car to the dealership this morning to get an alignment and take care of two recall notices (blower motor wiring and pvc valve heater). The dealership also rotated and balanced the tires as part of the advertised alignment special. While driving home, I noticed my car pulling slightly to the right.

I did some quick research about possible causes and think it might be a non-centered steering wheel or possibly a tire wear issue. Maybe suspension component issue, but car tracked straight prior to alignment. Anyone else experience this after an alignment or have any ideas? Thanks.

TGTIW · 09-13-2018, 12:35 PM

Perhaps another reason is that they did a crap alignment?

Take it back.

SnapCoupe · 09-13-2018, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soybmw

I took my car to the dealership this morning to get an alignment and take care of two recall notices (blower motor wiring and pvc valve heater). The dealership also rotated and balanced the tires as part of the advertised alignment special. While driving home, I noticed my car pulling slightly to the right.

I did some quick research about possible causes and think it might be a non-centered steering wheel or possibly a tire wear issue. Maybe suspension component issue, but car tracked straight prior to alignment. Anyone else experience this after an alignment or have any ideas? Thanks.

Was this a BMW dealership? Typically BMW dealers don't suggest rotating tires as it can cause drivability issues like this depending on the tread wear.

soybmw · 09-13-2018, 04:52 PM

Yes. It was a BMW dealership. Maybe I'll switch the tires back and see if the pulling persists. Also possible that the alignment was not good, but I have the printout and everything looks to be in order.

I recently replaced the front struts and mounts myself, hence the need for the alignment, but did everything by the book and didn't have any issues after the install and leading up to the alignment. Could be something that works itself out over time, but somehow I doubt it....

Emilime75 · 09-13-2018, 07:15 PM

Regardless if it's tires/suspension/alignment, they should've test drove the car afterwards and noticed a problem.

soybmw · 09-15-2018, 07:30 PM

Update: Took the car back to the dealership today and explained that it was pulling to the right. The tech drove car and confirmed the pulling. They checked the alignment again but it was within spec.

Because the dealership rotated the tires when they did the alignment, they rotated the tires back to their previous positions and now the car tracks straight again. I guess "radial pull" was the issue.

09-13-2018, 11:38 AM	#1
soybmw Enlisted Member 3 Rep 48 Posts Drives: 2007 e91 328xi; 2013 e70 3.5x Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: D.C. iTrader: (0)	Call pulling to the right after alignment I took my car to the dealership this morning to get an alignment and take care of two recall notices (blower motor wiring and pvc valve heater). The dealership also rotated and balanced the tires as part of the advertised alignment special. While driving home, I noticed my car pulling slightly to the right. I did some quick research about possible causes and think it might be a non-centered steering wheel or possibly a tire wear issue. Maybe suspension component issue, but car tracked straight prior to alignment. Anyone else experience this after an alignment or have any ideas? Thanks.
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09-13-2018, 12:35 PM	#2
TGTIW Second Lieutenant 130 Rep 244 Posts Drives: 2010 328i Join Date: May 2013 Location: Knoxville iTrader: (2)	Perhaps another reason is that they did a crap alignment? Take it back.
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09-13-2018, 04:52 PM	#4
soybmw Enlisted Member 3 Rep 48 Posts Drives: 2007 e91 328xi; 2013 e70 3.5x Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: D.C. iTrader: (0)	Yes. It was a BMW dealership. Maybe I'll switch the tires back and see if the pulling persists. Also possible that the alignment was not good, but I have the printout and everything looks to be in order. I recently replaced the front struts and mounts myself, hence the need for the alignment, but did everything by the book and didn't have any issues after the install and leading up to the alignment. Could be something that works itself out over time, but somehow I doubt it....
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09-13-2018, 07:15 PM	#5
Emilime75 Colonel 1209 Rep 2,476 Posts Drives: 2010 335i E92 LeMans Blue Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Merica! iTrader: (1)	Regardless if it's tires/suspension/alignment, they should've test drove the car afterwards and noticed a problem.
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09-15-2018, 07:30 PM	#6
soybmw Enlisted Member 3 Rep 48 Posts Drives: 2007 e91 328xi; 2013 e70 3.5x Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: D.C. iTrader: (0)	Update: Took the car back to the dealership today and explained that it was pulling to the right. The tech drove car and confirmed the pulling. They checked the alignment again but it was within spec. Because the dealership rotated the tires when they did the alignment, they rotated the tires back to their previous positions and now the car tracks straight again. I guess "radial pull" was the issue.
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