Can a wheel alignment fix this?

P

Prets83

Member
Afternoon guys,

My front wheels dont look right :(

Having straightened my wheels, I noticed the n/s wheel isn't centred within the arch.

Picture 1 (n/s), the wheel looks dead centre of the arch.
IMG_3273.JPG

Pic 2 (o/s) looks like the wheel is sitting a little back.
IMG_3274.JPG

Admittedly, the o/s is the side I hit a curb pretty hard and damaged my front end a month back but it just passed an MOT this week and also a mechanic said there didn't seem to be anything obvious when I mentioned it. When on a trolley jack, the wheel spins with no trouble at all, there isnt anything I saw underneath which raised alarms either.

Another issue is when I'm driving, I can hear a noise from the o/s wheel when doing over 30mph. If I steer right, its not so bad but when steering left, its a bit more obvious. I am missing the splash cover which explains why I can hear some noise but its definitely relating to the wheel.

Any advise is appreciated :)

Pri
 
No adjustment in the front end for that.

If you've hit the wheel hard enough you may well have damaged the arm, which is a sacrificial part.

Can't comment on the noise....bearing damage maybe?
 
The noise your hearing is likely to be the front wheel bearing groaning when under load (i.e. Turning) whilst there is no significant play in the beating as it past the MOT, some time in the near future it will need replacing.
 
Could it be pushed back into the brake reaction bushing? You could get under and do some measuring. A pair of new front arms is only £200, if they've not been replaced before then it's worth doing.
 
It may be an easier to get front arms replaced.
No sign of it being done before and the cars done 65k so worth checking that option.

Cheers
 
If I was to go with replacing the control arms and bushes, would this be the correct parts:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FOR-BMW-E46-Z4-FRONT-Wishbone-Control-Arms-Tie-Rods-Bushes-Sway-Bar-Links-Kit-/252730940861?fits=Car+Make%3ABMW%7CModel%3AZ4%7CCars+Year%3A2006%7CPlat_Gen%3AE85&hash=item3ad7f01dbd:g:Q7MAAOSw241YgFgg

Seems cheap considering Eurocarparts sell one control arm for around £100.
 
Personally I'd steer clear of eBay specials. Control arms influence the handing and feel of the car a lot, so I'd try and stick with well known makes if you can.
 
Could be junk, Meyle have replaceable joints, £200 the pair with rear bushings. E46 ones also fit and can sometimes be a bit cheaper for identical parts.
 
RickRob said:
If your car is rhd then you have your off and near sides mixed up!
Click to expand...

Looking at the gaps I was thinking the same :scratchhead:

..or is it simply sitting lower on one side so altering the gap all round?
 
Well spotted, yes my n/s and o/s are the wrong way around :(
I even checked it and changed it, clearly having a dumb moment.
 
Without a doubt the suspension arm has moved or has deformed.

I would get under and take a few comparison measurements.

Triangulate to the centre of the front cross member and it will show where the movement has occurred.
 
If you replace the control arms it's always worth looking at replacing the front rubber control arm bushes for poly ones.
 
Cheers guys!

Ive ordered another arm from Euro Car Parts as they had a sale on.
Im going to compare the arms the best I can and swap if there is any difference (most likely).

Will update once i have an answer.
 
So I replaced the wishbone which was relatively easy except for undoing the middle bush bolt, what a PITA!

IMG_3876.JPG

I'm pretty certain that wheel looks centre which proves the other arm was slightly bent.

Now this is changed, my steering wheel points slightly to the left when straight so is this now a tracking/alignment issue?

More concerning is the noise is still there when turning left when doing over 50. No issues with driving but not sure what the issue could be as it's all looks fine underneath. No rubbing when spinning the wheel by hand :(
 
My inclination would be to measure centre of front wheel to centre of rear wheel on either side and compare. Rather than a tape measure get a decent straight edge (or stick) and mark it with a pencil to compare. This may require a friend and a couple of set squares).
This way you can ascertain how square it is.
Either way you should get the alignment done. They'll sort your off centre steering wheel for you (and handling + tyre wear).

As has been said the suspension has deliberately engineered weaknesses designed to fail on impact to protect the major components/chassis so I'm sure you'll be OK.
 
So today I had my wheel alignment/tracking done by Halfords Autocentre and oddly enough, the service was good and reasonable priced.

Upon completion, one of the advisories where that the nearside steering arm is seized and the adjusted the tracking as close as possible.

Could this be the cause behind the noise I am hearing when steering left at 50+mph? Im taking it to another garage next week anyway to get it checked out.
 
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