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choosing an alignment centre...
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OnlineSidewaze Samm
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choosing an alignment centre...
When looking for somewhere competent to carry out four-wheel alignment, what would you say is the best, and simplest, question to ask in order to determine whether they have at least basic knowledge?
I'm thinking - Can you adjust both the front and rear camber of my E85 ?
I'm thinking - Can you adjust both the front and rear camber of my E85 ?
2008 E85 3.0si
Space Grey, Dream Red New England heated Msports.
Xenons, MFSW, cruise, PDC, wind deflector.
ZHP, stubby, gloss black grilles, DLV box, gaptech, no CDV.
Space Grey, Dream Red New England heated Msports.
Xenons, MFSW, cruise, PDC, wind deflector.
ZHP, stubby, gloss black grilles, DLV box, gaptech, no CDV.
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choosing an alignment centre...
You could ask them what effect will increasing caster angle give?
A highly knowledgeable and competent Technician should tell you that it will improve self-centring of the steering, thus improving straight line stability. It will also increase the 'dynamic' camber when turning - which is good and give better cornering grip.
Obviously this doesn't mean you should start maxing out angle values for caster or any others, otherwise you'll find your front wheels will eat away your arch liners and bumper (since positive caster can push the wheel more forward towards the front of the car).
Also check to see if they have a full hunter/laser alignment rig - some of these have factory settings for many cars in their system, if thats what you're looking to revert to?
Hope this helps
A highly knowledgeable and competent Technician should tell you that it will improve self-centring of the steering, thus improving straight line stability. It will also increase the 'dynamic' camber when turning - which is good and give better cornering grip.
Obviously this doesn't mean you should start maxing out angle values for caster or any others, otherwise you'll find your front wheels will eat away your arch liners and bumper (since positive caster can push the wheel more forward towards the front of the car).
Also check to see if they have a full hunter/laser alignment rig - some of these have factory settings for many cars in their system, if thats what you're looking to revert to?
Hope this helps
- skelters
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choosing an alignment centre...
If it doesn't have the Hunter gear then go elsewhere.
Anywhere that has it has had people trained on using it.
Anywhere that has it has had people trained on using it.
2007 Z4 3.0si Sport. Silver Grey Metallic, Brembo Brakes, HEL Braided Brake Hoses, Machine Monkey Exhaust Tips, Stubby, Piano Black trim, Black Leather, Bilstein B12-Pro-Kit, Michelin Pilot Sport 4 on MV2's. Roof Motor in the Boot!
- AndyBeech
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choosing an alignment centre...
Doesn’t mean they are any good at using it properly though. I’ve been to a few Hunter places and only one was any good, the other two.....I may as well have gone to Kwik Fit.
Z4MR - Gruppe M, Bilstein PSS10, CSL's + 18" CSL reps with semi's, RTAB Limiters, Powerflex’d, PF Camber Arms, K-Sport BBK / RSL-29, GC Camber Plates, Strut Brace, Exhaust valves, custom brake cooling, complete underside refresh!
- skelters
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choosing an alignment centre...
Kwik Fit are doing Hunter alignments too these days!
2007 Z4 3.0si Sport. Silver Grey Metallic, Brembo Brakes, HEL Braided Brake Hoses, Machine Monkey Exhaust Tips, Stubby, Piano Black trim, Black Leather, Bilstein B12-Pro-Kit, Michelin Pilot Sport 4 on MV2's. Roof Motor in the Boot!
- skelters
- Senior Member
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- Joined: Thu Jun 14, 2007 11:18 pm
- Location: Greenock, Scotland
choosing an alignment centre...
I go to one garage for MOT, servicing and anything else the car needs.
I go to another for the tyres and alignment check. There's also a guy in this garage that has his own bodywork place if ever I need it as it's cheaper than the garage rates.
I go to another for the tyres and alignment check. There's also a guy in this garage that has his own bodywork place if ever I need it as it's cheaper than the garage rates.
2007 Z4 3.0si Sport. Silver Grey Metallic, Brembo Brakes, HEL Braided Brake Hoses, Machine Monkey Exhaust Tips, Stubby, Piano Black trim, Black Leather, Bilstein B12-Pro-Kit, Michelin Pilot Sport 4 on MV2's. Roof Motor in the Boot!
- Davz
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choosing an alignment centre...
. You'll have a job, caster is non adjustable on BMW's. Z4m can be fitted with an adjustable caster plate but this won't fit a standard zed.Sidewaze Samm wrote: ↑Thu Jan 09, 2020 3:29 pm Obviously this doesn't mean you should start maxing out angle values for caster
Look for a workshop that has hunter or John bean equipment.
Don't pay over the odds, the adjustment is straightforward, I paid £70. It pays to spray the bolts with penetrating oil for a few days beforehand, any seized bolts is going to increase the cost. Avoid places that charge per adjustment, you can end up paying over £200....you want a fixed price.
You need to do some research on what settings you want, standard or custom? Standard has too much rear camber and too much toe in both front and rear, this causes premature tyre wear and doesn't improve straight line stability at all. If you want some data for a setup which has zero tramlining/bumpsteer, extremely well balanced and stable at high speed, let me know and I'll dig the data out.
2006 2.5 Monaco blue, orange footwell lights, Blue boot lights, 20/15mm wheel spacers, Buckley06 gear knob, Aux, MV2's, M pedals, Eibachs, Bilstein B4's, Whiteline front ARB. H&R rear ARB. Roof motor relocated, Alpine speakers, Xenons.
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choosing an alignment centre...
I believe you can also fit Z4M lower control arm rear bushes, these would increase the caster on non M models as the bush is offset to one side. Some good coilover top mounts also allow for caster adjustment.Davz wrote: ↑Fri Jan 10, 2020 9:11 pm. You'll have a job, caster is non adjustable on BMW's. Z4m can be fitted with an adjustable caster plate but this won't fit a standard zed.Sidewaze Samm wrote: ↑Thu Jan 09, 2020 3:29 pm Obviously this doesn't mean you should start maxing out angle values for caster
You need to do some research on what settings you want, standard or custom? Standard has too much rear camber and too much toe in both front and rear, this causes premature tyre wear and doesn't improve straight line stability at all. If you want some data for a setup which has zero tramlining/bumpsteer, extremely well balanced and stable at high speed, let me know and I'll dig the data out.
I'd also be interested in seeing 'ideal' data for a decent alignment set-up as it's also been on my to do list. I'd presume ride height and larger wheels, to name a few modifications, would also dictate what an ideal setup would be for a particular Z4.
- junglist
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choosing an alignment centre...
Would also like to see an "ideal" setup!
I've read before on here you're better off going for the Z4M if opting for standard settings.
I've read before on here you're better off going for the Z4M if opting for standard settings.
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OnlineSidewaze Samm
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choosing an alignment centre...
Cheers, that would be really great if you could.
Thanks
2008 E85 3.0si
Space Grey, Dream Red New England heated Msports.
Xenons, MFSW, cruise, PDC, wind deflector.
ZHP, stubby, gloss black grilles, DLV box, gaptech, no CDV.
Space Grey, Dream Red New England heated Msports.
Xenons, MFSW, cruise, PDC, wind deflector.
ZHP, stubby, gloss black grilles, DLV box, gaptech, no CDV.
- Z-4-FUN
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- Location: London
choosing an alignment centre...
I'd definitely be keen for this tooDavz wrote: ↑Fri Jan 10, 2020 9:11 pm. If you want some data for a setup which has zero tramlining/bumpsteer, extremely well balanced and stable at high speed, let me know and I'll dig the data out.Sidewaze Samm wrote: ↑Thu Jan 09, 2020 3:29 pm Obviously this doesn't mean you should start maxing out angle values for caster
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choosing an alignment centre...
And me pleaseZ-4-FUN wrote: ↑Tue Jan 14, 2020 1:58 pmI'd definitely be keen for this tooDavz wrote: ↑Fri Jan 10, 2020 9:11 pm. If you want some data for a setup which has zero tramlining/bumpsteer, extremely well balanced and stable at high speed, let me know and I'll dig the data out.Sidewaze Samm wrote: ↑Thu Jan 09, 2020 3:29 pm Obviously this doesn't mean you should start maxing out angle values for caster
Z4C Sapphire Black - DLV mods done! CDV Delete / DLV Backbox Mod
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- saj77
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choosing an alignment centre...
After researching on here I went for M settings on my non M.
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=118158
Courtesy of MrPT
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=118158
Courtesy of MrPT
08 3.0 SI Roadster - Space Grey / Dream red, Eibachs & B4s, Z4M alignment
- ph001
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choosing an alignment centre...
A lot of people go for the E46 M3 CSL settings too but I’m not sure how they differ to the Z4M