Wheel Alignment / Tracking question

[jamesfirefighter]

I have a question for our resident z4 experts. For the back story, please visit this link:

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=63653

But to summarise, I just had 4 new tyres fitted, as well as front wishbones and Eibach lowering springs too. Subsequently a full wheel alignment / tracking was done.

Problem is, my 224 M sport alloys are staggered.........and the garage has re-fitted the rear wheels on the front axel (with the 225 profile tyre) and the front wheels on the rear axel (with the 255 profile tyre). Needless to say, the car currently behaves like a clown car and is seriously unstable.



My question is this. Since the tracking / alignment was carried out with the wheels like this, will it need to be re-done when the wheels / tyres are put the right way around?

Also, is it likely that the integrity of the 2 front tyres may have been compromised, due to being stretched over the larger wheel? They've been on for about a week.

Many thanks, advice much appreciated before i head down to the garage today to *complain

*make heads roll / Swear

 

[GP06Roadster]

I cannot believe they could be so stupid - that's astonishing

I'd want to get the geo checked but I would think the tyres should be ok. Mr Wilks?

 

[markz4coupe]

Sorry to hear that James. I'm not sure re the tyre being stretched, but unfortunately re-alignment will definitely be in order.

 

[jamesfirefighter]

Thanks for the info, getting it sorted today. Will update later !

The garage in question will remain nameless (Not a main dealer though). They are normally excellent, but this is a really stupid and dangerous mistake for them to make.

 

[GP06Roadster]

James don't know if this helps but a 225 is below the recommended width for a 9" rim, as they are brand new quality tyres that you spent your hard earned on you may want to make an issue of having them replaced?

Equivalency table

Rim width Minimum tyre width Ideal tyre width Maximum tyre width
5,0 Inches 155 mm 165 or 175 mm 185 mm
5,5 Inches 165 mm 175 or 185 mm 195 mm
6,0 Inches 175 mm 185 or 195 mm 205 mm
6,5 Inches 185 mm 195 or 205 mm 215 mm
7,0 Inches 195 mm 205 or 215 mm 225 mm
7,5 Inches 205 mm 215 or 225 mm 235 mm
8,0 Inches 215 mm 225 or 235 mm 245 mm
8,5 Inches 225 mm 235 or 245 mm 255 mm
9,0 Inches 235 mm 245 or 255 mm 265 mm :headbang:
9,5 Inches 245 mm 255 or 265 mm 275 mm
10,0 Inches 255 mm 265 or 275 mm 285 mm
10,5 Inches 265 mm 275 or 285 mm 295 mm
11,0 Inches 275 mm 285 or 295 mm 305 mm
11,5 Inches 285 mm 295 or 305 mm 315 mm
12,0 Inches 295 mm 305 or 315 mm 325 mm
12,5 Inches 305 mm 315 or 325 mm 335 mm

 

[Machine monkey]

I would definitely be asking for the alignment rechecked. As for the tyres not sure but if in doubt get them to change them. Its there mistake and your hard earned.

 

[mlodey]

Tyres will be fine just get them swapped around and realigned. Although That's a pretty epic mistake

 

[Easty-5]

That's is quite unbelievable really. Can I ask, why has it taken you a week to complain? Was it not glaringly obvious when you picked the car up? I still can't believe that nobody from the garage didn't even notice it. If they can't even get the basic of the basics right I would seriously reconsider using them for any future work.

 

[exdos]

I can't believe that you accepted this when you collected the car! :roll:

The job needs to be redone from scratch and I'd be there watching them do it.

 

[jamesfirefighter]

That's is quite unbelievable really. Can I ask, why has it taken you a week to complain? Was it not glaringly obvious when you picked the car up? I still can't believe that nobody from the garage didn't even notice it. If they can't even get the basic of the basics right I would seriously reconsider using them for any future work.

I dropped the car off on Wednesday last week, for tyre change, fit lowering springs, change wishbones, all new brake pipes / hoses, plus a few minor things too. Was meant to pick car up on Friday, but the garage hadn't finished, and since the garage was shut over the weekend, I left it with them until Monday - which was when I noticed. By this time, they had shut for the day so I rang up yesterday to complain, but I was at work all day (6am - 6pm) so haven't been able to take it back to the garage until today. Quite the inconvenience i would say.

 

[jamesfirefighter]

That's is quite unbelievable really. Can I ask, why has it taken you a week to complain? Was it not glaringly obvious when you picked the car up? I still can't believe that nobody from the garage didn't even notice it. If they can't even get the basic of the basics right I would seriously reconsider using them for any future work.

I dropped the car off on Wednesday last week, for tyre change, fit lowering springs, change wishbones, all new brake pipes / hoses, plus a few minor things too. Was meant to pick car up on Friday, but the garage hadn't finished, and since the garage was shut over the weekend, I left it with them until Monday - which was when I noticed. By this time, they had shut for the day so I rang up yesterday to complain, but I was at work all day (6am - 6pm) so haven't been able to take it back to the garage until today. Quite the inconvenience i would say.

I could see something wasn't quite right, but couldn't put my finger on it straight away. I thought that because it had been lowered about 30mm, that was why it looked so different. I shouldn't have accepted it your right. The garage has a really good reputation in my opinion, but this is a howling error.

Getting it fixed elsewhere (by a specialist tyre fitter) and the garage have given me the cash to put it right, as well as money to have the wheel alignment checked at a specialist garage too. Least it's getting sorted. I just hope the tyre fitter doesn't tell me the tyres have been damaged in the process. Watch this space.....

 

[jamesfirefighter]

Sorry to hear that James. I'm not sure re the tyre being stretched, but unfortunately re-alignment will definitely be in order.

Yes, getting re alignment checked later by a specialist - paid for by them !

 

[jamesfirefighter]

James don't know if this helps but a 225 is below the recommended width for a 9" rim, as they are brand new quality tyres that you spent your hard earned on you may want to make an issue of having them replaced?

Equivalency table

Rim width Minimum tyre width Ideal tyre width Maximum tyre width
5,0 Inches 155 mm 165 or 175 mm 185 mm
5,5 Inches 165 mm 175 or 185 mm 195 mm
6,0 Inches 175 mm 185 or 195 mm 205 mm
6,5 Inches 185 mm 195 or 205 mm 215 mm
7,0 Inches 195 mm 205 or 215 mm 225 mm
7,5 Inches 205 mm 215 or 225 mm 235 mm
8,0 Inches 215 mm 225 or 235 mm 245 mm
8,5 Inches 225 mm 235 or 245 mm 255 mm
9,0 Inches 235 mm 245 or 255 mm 265 mm :headbang:
9,5 Inches 245 mm 255 or 265 mm 275 mm
10,0 Inches 255 mm 265 or 275 mm 285 mm
10,5 Inches 265 mm 275 or 285 mm 295 mm
11,0 Inches 275 mm 285 or 295 mm 305 mm
11,5 Inches 285 mm 295 or 305 mm 315 mm
12,0 Inches 295 mm 305 or 315 mm 325 mm
12,5 Inches 305 mm 315 or 325 mm 335 mm

Thank you for this. I will use this as evidence to get a new set if I can.

 

[jamesfirefighter]

James don't know if this helps but a 225 is below the recommended width for a 9" rim, as they are brand new quality tyres that you spent your hard earned on you may want to make an issue of having them replaced?

Equivalency table

Rim width Minimum tyre width Ideal tyre width Maximum tyre width
5,0 Inches 155 mm 165 or 175 mm 185 mm
5,5 Inches 165 mm 175 or 185 mm 195 mm
6,0 Inches 175 mm 185 or 195 mm 205 mm
6,5 Inches 185 mm 195 or 205 mm 215 mm
7,0 Inches 195 mm 205 or 215 mm 225 mm
7,5 Inches 205 mm 215 or 225 mm 235 mm
8,0 Inches 215 mm 225 or 235 mm 245 mm
8,5 Inches 225 mm 235 or 245 mm 255 mm
9,0 Inches 235 mm 245 or 255 mm 265 mm :headbang:
9,5 Inches 245 mm 255 or 265 mm 275 mm
10,0 Inches 255 mm 265 or 275 mm 285 mm
10,5 Inches 265 mm 275 or 285 mm 295 mm
11,0 Inches 275 mm 285 or 295 mm 305 mm
11,5 Inches 285 mm 295 or 305 mm 315 mm
12,0 Inches 295 mm 305 or 315 mm 325 mm
12,5 Inches 305 mm 315 or 325 mm 335 mm

What was your source for the information in this table please? I'd like to have a look so can you provide a link please?

 

[GP06Roadster]

http://www.brick-yard.co.uk/forum/tyre-size-for-rim-width_topic60146.html

Don't know how scientific it is, just for reference

 

[Geezah]

Not a Kwik Fit depot by any chance?

 

[jamesfirefighter]

That's is quite unbelievable really. Can I ask, why has it taken you a week to complain? Was it not glaringly obvious when you picked the car up? I still can't believe that nobody from the garage didn't even notice it. If they can't even get the basic of the basics right I would seriously reconsider using them for any future work.

I dropped the car off on Wednesday last week, for tyre change, fit lowering springs, change wishbones, all new brake pipes / hoses, plus a few minor things too. Was meant to pick car up on Friday, but the garage hadn't finished, and since the garage was shut over the weekend, I left it with them until Monday - which was when I noticed. By this time, they had shut for the day so I rang up yesterday to complain, but I was at work all day (6am - 6pm) so haven't been able to take it back to the garage until today. Quite the inconvenience i would say.

I could see something wasn't quite right, but couldn't put my finger on it straight away. I thought that because it had been lowered about 30mm, that was why it looked so different. I shouldn't have accepted it your right. The garage has a really good reputation in my opinion, but this is a howling error.

Getting it fixed elsewhere (by a specialist tyre fitter) and the garage have given me the cash to put it right, as well as money to have the wheel alignment checked at a specialist garage too. Least it's getting sorted. I just hope the tyre fitter doesn't tell me the tyres have been damaged in the process. Watch this space.....

ALL SORTED ! The Zed is sitting low, squat and wide now.



(Sorry about the finger)






Many thanks to all the members on this forum for their valuable advice.

I must also thank the guys at A.G Tyre Services for sorting out my rubber and for not laughing ! : https://www.facebook.com/pages/AG-Services/133961663336903?sk=info

and of course the people at NOTTINGHAM ALIGNMENT SERVICE LTD who made sure the tracking is spot on now that my wheels are on the correct axels http://www.yell.com/biz/nottingham-alignment-service-ltd-nottingham-1600229/

I'm pleased to say that now, the Zed drives EXACTLY how it should (and them some!).

I'd def recommend these upgrades that i've just had fitted too: Feels like a new car. I'm dead happy

BMW 2 Heavy Duty FRONT Antiroll Bar Stabiliser Drop Link Links Meyle HD PAIR http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-2-Heavy-D ... OC:GB:3160
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-2-Heavy-Duty-FRONT-Antiroll-Bar-Stabiliser-Drop-Link-Links-Meyle-HD-PAIR-/121241947737?ssPageName=ADME:L:OC:GB:3160

2 BMW 3 SERIES E36 E46 REAR TRAILING SUSPENSION ARM BUSH HEAVY DUTY MEYLE HD NEW (FITS Z4 !)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-BMW-3-SERIES-E36-E46-REAR-TRAILING-SUSPENSION-ARM-BUSH-HEAVY-DUTY-MEYLE-HD-NEW-/131053772637?ssPageName=ADME:L:OC:GB:3160


BMW Z4 E85 E86 CONTROL ARMS WISHBONE BUSH MEYLE HD C813
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Z4-E85-E86-CONTROL-ARMS-WISHBONE-BUSH-MEYLE-HD-C813-/190933378791?ssPageName=ADME:L:OC:GB:3160