Wheel alignment incomplete -> Now resolved

[wilbo]

So, after fitting eibachs and then having the front bushes and droplinks changed, I needed to get an alignment. After a bit of research online, it turned out a local tyre place close to my work used a hunter system and had a fair amount of positive reviews, so popped down there this afternoon to book it in.

Initially they loaded it on as an E86, and it was only because they had a viewing monitor I noticed and asked them to change it to an E85. No drama but wasn't sure if the settings are different and didn't want to take a chance.

After checking current settings, they told me that they couldn't sort the front camber as there "is a pin to knock out, which they don't get involved in". Frustrated but needing to sort the rear camber after lowering I got them to continue (but already thinking that I may need to get it redone to sort the front). After a while, the guy came out and said he couldn't get the left rear toe anywhere near the settings and it was likely due to worn bushes.

So they corrected the front toe and rear camber, but the front camber and rear toe are still out. Fair play to them though, they said they would only charge me for a 2 wheel alignment and if I returned after replacing bushes, they would only charge me about £20 to sort the rear toe. However, now I know they cannot do the front camber, I will probably look elsewhere.

Were they right about the rear bushes having an effect on being able to set up the toe?

Before:


After:

 

[Yorkie Z]

What did the car feel like to drive after you fitted the springs, and after they done just the two wheels.??

 

[ranski]

I maybe wrong, but I thought the 3.0 needed the Z4M alignment?

 

[wilbo]

I maybe wrong, but I thought the 3.0 needed the Z4M alignment?

All pre facelift 3.0's have M suspension but I don't think any of them need the Z4M set up. If so, thats very confusing. You can see on the print outs they have chosen M Sport suspension over standard.

 

[ranski]

God knows. But I had my 3.0 aligned on a hunter last year, same spec as you and the car went ape, all driving aids turned off. Went back and had the Z4M alignment and all was good


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[srhutch]

It's a two minute job to get the camber pins out with a pair of mole grips. Do it yourself before taking back if they won't do it.

 

[BrianD]

God knows. But I had my 3.0 aligned on a hunter last year, same spec as you and the car went ape, all driving aids turned off. Went back and had the Z4M alignment and all was good


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similar thing happened to me a couple of years ago with my previous zed, garage used wrong setting, car was god awful to drive, handling sucked mega. Had it realigned using Z4M and happy days

 

[bowser134]

When i had the car in i had a quick scan over the rear bushes and they looked good. Ive only ever had trouble getting camber in on the rear end of those as to adjust the rear toe you just loosen the 3 bolts that hold the trailing arm to the body and move it across. Normally there is a fair bit of movement to get it to come in. Maybe get it on another machine to double check?

 

[R3YN P]

I've had the same issue with mine the other week after lowering it on Eibachs. My front camber is out but the toe is fine but the rear toe & camber are still out but they've managed to get the thrust angle to align so that overall the car goes straight. They guy said he wouldn't charge me cos they couldn't get it fully sorted, despite the fact it's now a lot better than it was when I first took it down! I might go again now & ask them to try the z4m alignment

 

[wilbo]

After driving with the dodgy alignment settings for probably too long, today I got my rear tyres changed and at the same time had the alignment sorted. Prior to going, I pulled the front camber pins so that could be adjusted as it was currently showing in red. There was nothing wrong with the rear bushes (as confirmed by bowser134 above), the previous garage were just too incompetent to align the rear toe properly. So I now have the settings below and so far, the car feels good: