Garage Unable To Do Rear Alignment

[Chengy]

Hi all,

Had an alignment done today after various bushes and front suspension arms changed - garage said they weren't able to do any alignment on the rear due to the difficulty of adjusting the rear trailing arms, which was a surprise.

This was a small garage but used Hunter for alignment - £30 to do front or rear.

Has anyone else had this feedback from another garage?

Thanks

 

[plenty]

Yes - it's not hard but not everybody knows how. Best ring around and find a place that's familiar with BMW trailing arms.

 

[Chengy]

Yes - it's not hard but not everybody knows how. Best ring around and find a place that's familiar with BMW trailing arms.

Cheers plenty, good to know. Lesson learnt - at least I got my front aligned, steering wheel was off centre quite a bit but all good now.

 

[enuff_zed]

I had the same problem because everything was seized up.
I bought new eccentric bolts and washers for the outer ends of the lower arms. I was told to tweak them but not torque up tight as they are technically single use. (tbf, the chap is an ex-Lotus design engineer and very by the book)
I then removed one of the three RTAB mount bolts at a time and cleaned them up, plus sprayed plus-gas up under the mount as much as I could.
You've just changed your RTAB so they shouldn't be too seized anyway.

 

[smorris_12]

I took my 320d in for a 4 wheel alignment years ago and, despite telling them repeatedly that the wheels were non standard (staggered instead of square setup), they adjusted one rear wheel to point at the diagonally opposite front and then say something must be out of shape as they needed even more adjustment despite being visibly toeing in by a country mile.

Needless to say I took it into the car park, adjusted it by eye, took it home and learnt to do my own tracking with bits of string.

 

[TheDan]

learnt to do my own tracking with bits of string

This.

I now do this after having argued with a few garages that clearly weren't familiar with adjusting the rear toe.

 

[Matty_Z4]

I had similar issues getting my rear alignment done after replacing shocks and springs. Multiple garages around here told me we cant do front camber or rear toe. Some would do rear toe by using the rear camber bolt as when you do camber it drags the toe a little out of alignment.

First excuse was seized bolts on the RTAB bracket, so I replace the bracket and bolts (they weren't too bad but for a couple of quid a bolt and a new bracket it was worth it. )

Now I have the bolts free for the lazy B******* I take it back oh no we cant do it now you need a special tool to adjust the front camber and rear toe. We can do you an 85% alignment and only bill you 85% of the price?! What!!!?!

I contemplated buying the tools but after watching them put my car in as a standard Z4 3.0 and not the one with the sport suspension and cock up the alignment I took it to Synter Solihull who were bang on. £120 for an alignment "Free health check" and as much free coffee for as long as they can put up with me hanging out in the dealership.

Apparently without these tools its like trying to use a sledge hammer to wind up a watch.

 

[enuff_zed]

You definitely do get what you pay for when it comes to the alignment. Hunter kit is only as good as the operator.
Whilst not cheap, I would thoroughly recommend anyone in the Norfolk area pays a visit to 'The Little Car Clinic' in Attleborough.
Darren is a complete car nut. As I said, ex-Lotus engineer, worked with the late John Miles (ex-F1) who was renowned for his ability to set up cars.
He sorted the 3.0i I finished recently and it was the best handling zed I've ever driven.

 

[Chengy]

I had similar issues getting my rear alignment done after replacing shocks and springs. Multiple garages around here told me we cant do front camber or rear toe. Some would do rear toe by using the rear camber bolt as when you do camber it drags the toe a little out of alignment.

First excuse was seized bolts on the RTAB bracket, so I replace the bracket and bolts (they weren't too bad but for a couple of quid a bolt and a new bracket it was worth it. )

Now I have the bolts free for the lazy B******* I take it back oh no we cant do it now you need a special tool to adjust the front camber and rear toe. We can do you an 85% alignment and only bill you 85% of the price?! What!!!?!

I contemplated buying the tools but after watching them put my car in as a standard Z4 3.0 and not the one with the sport suspension and cock up the alignment I took it to Synter Solihull who were bang on. £120 for an alignment "Free health check" and as much free coffee for as long as they can put up with me hanging out in the dealership.

Apparently without these tools its like trying to use a sledge hammer to wind up a watch.

Screenshot 2023-07-01 at 09.47.35.png

Screenshot 2023-07-01 at 09.48.00.png

Funnily enough my car originated from Sytner Solihull, so taking it back seems apt. When did you pay that price Matty?

 

[ori]

I remember taking my 35 to quick fit and they wanted to charge me to do a partial 4 wheel alignment as some of it was dealer only adjustments.
I said what’s the point as I might as well get it all done at bmw? Why pay twice? They couldn’t understand why I wouldn’t cough up with them first.

Anyway. Point is, it’s worth going bmw to get it done properly. Just my experience. Think it’s about £200-£250

 

[Matty_Z4]

I had similar issues getting my rear alignment done after replacing shocks and springs. Multiple garages around here told me we cant do front camber or rear toe. Some would do rear toe by using the rear camber bolt as when you do camber it drags the toe a little out of alignment.

First excuse was seized bolts on the RTAB bracket, so I replace the bracket and bolts (they weren't too bad but for a couple of quid a bolt and a new bracket it was worth it. )

Now I have the bolts free for the lazy B******* I take it back oh no we cant do it now you need a special tool to adjust the front camber and rear toe. We can do you an 85% alignment and only bill you 85% of the price?! What!!!?!

I contemplated buying the tools but after watching them put my car in as a standard Z4 3.0 and not the one with the sport suspension and cock up the alignment I took it to Synter Solihull who were bang on. £120 for an alignment "Free health check" and as much free coffee for as long as they can put up with me hanging out in the dealership.

Apparently without these tools its like trying to use a sledge hammer to wind up a watch.

Screenshot 2023-07-01 at 09.47.35.png

Screenshot 2023-07-01 at 09.48.00.png

Funnily enough my car originated from Sytner Solihull, so taking it back seems apt. When did you pay that price Matty?

It was only £120 which I think is quite reasonable considering its a main dealer. If it would have been much more than that I would have bothered shopping around but it wasn't worth it for me. They had the car for the best part of a day as they are quite busy so its not like its a drop in and done in an hour jobbie. I was there at 0830 for drop off and then collection was around 15:30 Car was washed and parked next to an E46 M3 proud of place in the front carpark. I should have got a picture

If you are willing to shop around and find an old school motorsport greybeard / wizard like @enuff_zed suggested you will probably get it cheaper and they are more likely to do a custom setup for you and your car.

EDIT: Need to read the questions better It was April this year I was in for a wheel alignment.

 

[buzyg]

As I recall our local tech used to adjust mine, using a couple of 19mm spanners and a plum line Vernier painted on a bit of wood. I watched him a few times fascinating.

 

[Chengy]

I had similar issues getting my rear alignment done after replacing shocks and springs. Multiple garages around here told me we cant do front camber or rear toe. Some would do rear toe by using the rear camber bolt as when you do camber it drags the toe a little out of alignment.

First excuse was seized bolts on the RTAB bracket, so I replace the bracket and bolts (they weren't too bad but for a couple of quid a bolt and a new bracket it was worth it. )

Now I have the bolts free for the lazy B******* I take it back oh no we cant do it now you need a special tool to adjust the front camber and rear toe. We can do you an 85% alignment and only bill you 85% of the price?! What!!!?!

I contemplated buying the tools but after watching them put my car in as a standard Z4 3.0 and not the one with the sport suspension and cock up the alignment I took it to Synter Solihull who were bang on. £120 for an alignment "Free health check" and as much free coffee for as long as they can put up with me hanging out in the dealership.

Apparently without these tools its like trying to use a sledge hammer to wind up a watch.

Screenshot 2023-07-01 at 09.47.35.png

Screenshot 2023-07-01 at 09.48.00.png

Funnily enough my car originated from Sytner Solihull, so taking it back seems apt. When did you pay that price Matty?

It was only £120 which I think is quite reasonable considering its a main dealer. If it would have been much more than that I would have bothered shopping around but it wasn't worth it for me. They had the car for the best part of a day as they are quite busy so its not like its a drop in and done in an hour jobbie. I was there at 0830 for drop off and then collection was around 15:30 Car was washed and parked next to an E46 M3 proud of place in the front carpark. I should have got a picture

If you are willing to shop around and find an old school motorsport greybeard / wizard like @enuff_zed suggested you will probably get it cheaper and they are more likely to do a custom setup for you and your car.

EDIT: Need to read the questions better It was April this year I was in for a wheel alignment.

Cheers Matty.