Feels worse after wheel alignment?

V

vanilla

Active member
Felt the car was pulling to one side slightly, sometimes but not all the time..so took it for a wheel alignment check at Kwik fit, (I know, I know but I was short of time) turned out the front and rear camber and toe was out, according to their fancy computer sensors and cameras.
Decided to get it all done and the guy says he can do the rear camber but the toe adjustment screw is rusted so can't do that, and he can only do the front camber as the front tow requires a BMW tool?
Anyway I leave and park up the car until a long 140 mile trek journey today and the car feels worse pulling to one side??! The wheel needs to be slightly to the left to go straight and the it feels stiffer to turn it to the right...Felt like a battle to keep it straight on the A40 tonight. I want it back to how it was before now! Any

Apparently there's a 30 day guarantee so I'll try taking it to another branch tomorrow. Any advice?
 
Sounds like you have answered your own question, take it back and get them to sort it. Hopefully someone on here can post up recommended settings for you. Kwik Fit typically get their reputation for a reason.
 
If the alignment was out you may need to recalibrate your Steering Angle Sensor. Mine pulled to the left so bad before and after alignment if I let go of the steering wheel the car felt like it was turning into a driveway
 
I got mine done at ATS euro master and they are great really pleased its a four wheel hunter alignment and they were able to adjust it accordingly, get your money back or wd 40 the rusted nut so they get it undone
 
I've heard this 'need a special BMW tool' excuse from Kwik Fit before on here - it's either complete shite, or they just don't invest in the tools they need. I remember taking my wife's Honda to them and they said they didn't have the right diagnostic kit because it is too expensive. Either take it to another centre or ask for your money back and go elsewhere...
 
Wa'ya said:
If the alignment was out you may need to recalibrate your Steering Angle Sensor. Mine pulled to the left so bad before and after alignment if I let go of the steering wheel the car felt like it was turning into a driveway
Click to expand...

How do I get that done?
I think maybe they didn't put the steering wheel perfectly straight before doing the alignment. But I don't understand why the steering feels stiff to the right side..and then jerks.
 
There's an optical sensor in the steering wheel, mine was pulling both ways and it ended up throwing a rear wheel speed sensor error... turned out the wishbone bushings were bad and the toe was out bad as well. The company that did my alignment used the Hunter equipment but until I recalibrated the steering sensor it still pulled to the left.

The error coding program I have has a recalibration tool in it, just hooked that up and pushed the button. It amazed me how mush difference that made.
 
vanilla said:
Felt the car was pulling to one side slightly, sometimes but not all the time..so took it for a wheel alignment check at Kwik fit, (I know, I know but I was short of time) turned out the front and rear camber and toe was out, according to their fancy computer sensors and cameras.
Decided to get it all done and the guy says he can do the rear camber but the toe adjustment screw is rusted so can't do that, and he can only do the front camber as the front tow requires a BMW tool?
Anyway I leave and park up the car until a long 140 mile trek journey today and the car feels worse pulling to one side??! The wheel needs to be slightly to the left to go straight and the it feels stiffer to turn it to the right...Felt like a battle to keep it straight on the A40 tonight. I want it back to how it was before now! Any

Apparently there's a 30 day guarantee so I'll try taking it to another branch tomorrow. Any advice?
Click to expand...

What kwik fit was it?

Most don't have the ability to do four wheel alignment, so on the z4, are completely useless. Front wheel abilities only generally.

Where are you based? I'll recommend somewhere if it helps.

Also, these guys are often insanely casual when it comes to straightening the wheel before setting it up. I'd request that you get in, and put the wheel where you're happy with it "straight", get out and they can set it up then.

As for needing special tools, what a load of old s**t.
 
Just got to a kwik fit, guy agrees that the steering is stiffer to the right and I have to wait for an hour before they can put it on the ramp and check the measurements. Car is awful
To drive now, seems to want to go left but wheel seems to out to the right a bit. Very dodgy.
Also tread on rear left is lower than others.

Fingers crossed this branch can sort it out.
 
I've always felt two things about the word "Kwik"

1 - I don't want it done "Kwik", I want it done right.
2 - If you can't spell "Quick", what are the chances of you being able to perform a precision alignment on a £25,000 sports car?

My one experience of the robbing bastards was when I sold an Astra Estate to a friend. I got a service and MOT done on it, including new discs/drums and shoes/pads all round (by a reputable dealer) before he took it off of me. The tyres were close to needing replacement though, so he went to KwikFit for some new ones a month later. Guess what else they said needed doing?
 
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