Steering help!

E90Vader · 05-01-2011, 12:29 AM

After my shocks / struts were installed today and I got my alignment done, I noticed a few things.. The steering wheel was off center to the right by possibly 3rd of an inch. This was not to much of an issue as the guy aligning it said his machine didn't align the actual wheel and if it was off I could bring it back down to get it adjusted.

However... I noticed that my steering now feels a lot lower then it did stock!!! Before the suspension and alignment the steering was very firm, it took force to turn the wheel which I loved! Now it feels much loser, I also feel like I have to physically turn the wheel more in order for my car to turn??

Any ideas what could of caused this issue? Should I take it back to the guy that aligned it or the BMW dealership?

In order to re align the steering wheel and tighten the steering does the suspension itself need another laser alignment, or is it a different process all together? Just curious as BMW can't do the laser alignment on the suspension.

Any and all help would be great guys! It doesn't feel like the same old BMW

ace008 · 05-01-2011, 01:05 AM

What are your alignment specs?

E90Vader · 05-01-2011, 01:29 AM

235 35 R19 wheels front. 265 30 R19 rear wheels. 38PSI front tires, 40PSI rear tires.
-2.5" camber rear, -0.9 camber front.

MKE_M3 · 05-01-2011, 07:23 AM

alignment is more than just camber, what are your other specs? Also, your steering wheel should always be on center after an alignment. That's part of a standard alignment. E90Vader, you seem to have the worst luck with the shops you work with!?!?

MKE_M3 · 05-01-2011, 07:24 AM

I'm glad you like your Dinan shocks btw!! I'd love to see some pictures of your car with it's 2.5" - 3" drop

Have you posted any yet?

E90Vader · 05-01-2011, 03:27 PM

I have! They are in the main chat forum, as well as the Official Alberta Thread.

I'm going to take it back down next Saturday and have him re align my steering wheel, I'll also ask him to tighten up the steering. If that doesn't work I will take it to BMW.

HP Autosport · 05-01-2011, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E90Vader

After my shocks / struts were installed today and I got my alignment done, I noticed a few things.. The steering wheel was off center to the right by possibly 3rd of an inch. This was not to much of an issue as the guy aligning it said his machine didn't align the actual wheel and if it was off I could bring it back down to get it adjusted.

However... I noticed that my steering now feels a lot lower then it did stock!!! Before the suspension and alignment the steering was very firm, it took force to turn the wheel which I loved! Now it feels much loser, I also feel like I have to physically turn the wheel more in order for my car to turn??

Any ideas what could of caused this issue? Should I take it back to the guy that aligned it or the BMW dealership?

In order to re align the steering wheel and tighten the steering does the suspension itself need another laser alignment, or is it a different process all together? Just curious as BMW can't do the laser alignment on the suspension.

Any and all help would be great guys! It doesn't feel like the same old BMW

Let's see your toe settings and thrust angle too.

E90Vader · 05-01-2011, 05:49 PM

Caster Left - 7.4 degree * front *
Caster Right 7.5 degree * front *

Camber left -0.9 * front
Camber right - 0.9 * Front *

Toe Left - .10 *front *
Toe Right .10 * front *

Camber left - -2.5 * Rear *
Camber Right - -2.4 * Rear *

Toe Left 0.15 *Rear *
Toe Right - 0.15 * Rear *

Secondary angles
SAI Left 14.4
SAI Left 14.6

included angle left 13.5
included angle right 13.7

HP Autosport · 05-03-2011, 02:22 PM

I assume you accidentally left out the "-" for your rear toe settings.

Everything looks good, perhaps your alignment tech forgot to center your wheel before making any adjustments.

E90Vader · 05-03-2011, 05:08 PM

I have an appointment to meet with him this Saturday. He did note that he * eyed up the wheel allignment * the best he could before doing th alignment. It is obviously off though..

He is a BMW owner himself I just found out so I'll talk to him about the steering feel. Should be all fixed this Saturday!

05-01-2011, 12:29 AM	#1
E90Vader Banned 47 Rep 631 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Calgary iTrader: (0)	Steering help! After my shocks / struts were installed today and I got my alignment done, I noticed a few things.. The steering wheel was off center to the right by possibly 3rd of an inch. This was not to much of an issue as the guy aligning it said his machine didn't align the actual wheel and if it was off I could bring it back down to get it adjusted. However... I noticed that my steering now feels a lot lower then it did stock!!! Before the suspension and alignment the steering was very firm, it took force to turn the wheel which I loved! Now it feels much loser, I also feel like I have to physically turn the wheel more in order for my car to turn?? Any ideas what could of caused this issue? Should I take it back to the guy that aligned it or the BMW dealership? In order to re align the steering wheel and tighten the steering does the suspension itself need another laser alignment, or is it a different process all together? Just curious as BMW can't do the laser alignment on the suspension. Any and all help would be great guys! It doesn't feel like the same old BMW
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05-01-2011, 01:05 AM	#2
ace008 Second Lieutenant 16 Rep 226 Posts Drives: 2013 F10 535i Join Date: May 2005 Location: San Francisco, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 335i [0.00]	What are your alignment specs?
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05-01-2011, 01:29 AM	#3
E90Vader Banned 47 Rep 631 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Calgary iTrader: (0)	235 35 R19 wheels front. 265 30 R19 rear wheels. 38PSI front tires, 40PSI rear tires. -2.5" camber rear, -0.9 camber front.
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05-01-2011, 07:23 AM	#4
MKE_M3 Lieutenant Colonel 65 Rep 1,705 Posts Drives: 2011 e90 M3 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Milwaukee, WI iTrader: (0)	alignment is more than just camber, what are your other specs? Also, your steering wheel should always be on center after an alignment. That's part of a standard alignment. E90Vader, you seem to have the worst luck with the shops you work with!?!? __________________
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05-01-2011, 07:24 AM	#5
MKE_M3 Lieutenant Colonel 65 Rep 1,705 Posts Drives: 2011 e90 M3 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Milwaukee, WI iTrader: (0)	I'm glad you like your Dinan shocks btw!! I'd love to see some pictures of your car with it's 2.5" - 3" drop Have you posted any yet? __________________
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05-01-2011, 03:27 PM	#6
E90Vader Banned 47 Rep 631 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Calgary iTrader: (0)	I have! They are in the main chat forum, as well as the Official Alberta Thread. I'm going to take it back down next Saturday and have him re align my steering wheel, I'll also ask him to tighten up the steering. If that doesn't work I will take it to BMW.
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05-01-2011, 05:49 PM	#8
E90Vader Banned 47 Rep 631 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Calgary iTrader: (0)	Caster Left - 7.4 degree * front * Caster Right 7.5 degree * front * Camber left -0.9 * front Camber right - 0.9 * Front * Toe Left - .10 front Toe Right .10 * front * Camber left - -2.5 * Rear * Camber Right - -2.4 * Rear * Toe Left 0.15 Rear Toe Right - 0.15 * Rear * Secondary angles SAI Left 14.4 SAI Left 14.6 included angle left 13.5 included angle right 13.7
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05-03-2011, 02:22 PM	#9
HP Autosport Supreme Allied Commander 3845 Rep 54,376 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Santa Barbara, AP, Brembo, GIAC, Koni, Ohlins, Performance Friction, www.hpautosport.com iTrader: (36)	I assume you accidentally left out the "-" for your rear toe settings. Everything looks good, perhaps your alignment tech forgot to center your wheel before making any adjustments.
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05-03-2011, 05:08 PM	#10
E90Vader Banned 47 Rep 631 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Calgary iTrader: (0)	I have an appointment to meet with him this Saturday. He did note that he * eyed up the wheel allignment * the best he could before doing th alignment. It is obviously off though.. He is a BMW owner himself I just found out so I'll talk to him about the steering feel. Should be all fixed this Saturday!
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