One wheels sits farther back in the wheel well

[CedarZ4]

I noticed that my rear-left wheel sits noticeably farther back in the wheel well compared to the rear-right. (A very scientific test has confirmed this as well - on the Right side I can run my hand around the whole tire. On the left, my chubby hand gets caught in the wheel well as I approach the rear and can't go around circumferentially). The only work that has been done in the rear was replacement of both control arms (due to towing - the guy charged $800 and also pulled the car from the control arm ). I took it to the dealership and they said alignment is spot on and nothing is bent/broken.

Anyone experience this with their car? I'm fairly OCD about my car so I am pretty confident that it wasn't like this prior to the repair, but on the off chance I was wrong I figured I'd ask.

The dealership compared it to a new Z4 and they said that its wheels were also misaligned, albeit not as much as mine, so my situation may be normal but they are still looking into it. I'm not buying it.

I tried to get an as subjective pictures as possible.





Sorry about my finger, had to block off the sun

[Nkc]

I have a feeling that this is just another chance to show off that beautiful color of yours.

Go get an alignment on your own and see what the guy says.

[CedarZ4]

You caught me - she's beautiful ain't she?

Kidding aside. I initially thought that it could be a caster angle misalignment so was hoping it would be an easy fix. But both the service department AND the BMW CCRC that I had the control arm put in, albeit they are the same parent BMW company, checked the alignment and both said it was ok. Unless they are playing me, would it really be worth bringing it in elsewhere and drop a few hundred to re-check the alignment? Anything else it can be aside from alignment issue?

[jparnes1]

Cedar is this strictly an esthetic thing for you? If so, then get some one to fix it. but if the car handles well and your tiers are wearing evenly, then you should let it be.

[ManiacGT]

Broken spring? Compressed spring because drivers side?

[Ramjet]

That would drive me crazy! I'd get it checked out. And yes, great color!

[jannisa]

The height seems different l and r for one. Try getting that even somehow and check again maybe?

[Crazykoh]

Originally Posted by jannisa

The height seems different l and r for one. Try getting that even somehow and check again maybe?

Good pick up. Driver side definitely looks low. Maybe measure ground to top of fender arch on each side and see what difference is.

[jannisa]

Scientifically 2 fingers from my point of view .

[rking117]

Is there any way you can remove the wheel and take a few pictures from differnt angles of the suspension? If a conrtol arm is bent I think we should be able to see it since the wheel in the picture is definately like 1 inch off center. Also take pictures of the connecting structure where the control arms fits the vehicle. If the support bracket's bent from when he towed it then he owes you repair of that. The wheel alignment can be good but still not tracking straight. (which i suspect you might not be) This means that your nose is pointed to the center line while your rear end is more to ward the roadside while driving down the road or vice versa. If I were you I at this point would find a good frame and axle shop in your area and take it to them. They would look at the entire area and see if there is undercarraige damage that needs to be repaired or suspension parts that need to be replaced.

Nevertheless THAT AINT RIGHT. I would be willing to bet you if the control arm is not bent then the support bracket that connects the front of it to the vehicle is bent. A fraction of an inch can translate to an inch movement in the wheel.

Why oh why would a tow truck driver not use the tow hook in the trunk anyway? man this frustrates me so i can only imagine how you must feel.

[ojo]

Do you have a printout from the alignment job? The “ridehight” is one of the first measurements to do before a proper alignment job. In your case there is def a big difference between left and right.

See link for more reg. alignment..

[nicknaz]

Cedar, look at the detailed alignment printout for the "thrust angle" (no, it isn't a bad joke ) and rear toe settings.

It is possible for an alignment to be "in spec" and "bad" at the same time

[Eltee]

OK, probably stupid thought, but since everything else seems proper, is it possible that the body (fender) is somehow out of alignment causing the wheel to look out of place??

Again,probably way off base but trying to think out of the box.

[rking117]

Originally Posted by Eltee

OK, probably stupid thought, but since everything else seems proper, is it possible that the body (fender) is somehow out of alignment causing the wheel to look out of place??

Again,probably way off base but trying to think out of the box.

No the gaps on the bumper cover look right. If there was a problem with body panel fitment you would have had a differnt post asking is the fitment normal etc. The amount that the wheel is off center would mean the bumper would have to be inches different in location. It is the suspension that is at play here that needs attention.

[ojo]

Hard to believe that your alignment is spot-on with that obvious difference.. How does it drive? How is the tire wear?

[CedarZ4]

Sorry guys, been very busy with work lately. Thanks for all the suggestions.

It bothers me aesthetically and I know it's not "normal" so I'm not so sure it's functioning correctly either. Only had a few hundred miles on the tires, so it's hard to say about wear pattern. Driving wise it's been fine but I haven't really pushed it as I was trying to break my tires in first.

I've removed the wheel before and looked at everything. Nothing seemed to have shifted or be bent, so it's very peculiar. It's back at the dealer now, and they ordered an upper control arm to try swapping it out to see if that does the trick. We'll see...

[rking117]

i would take it to a frame and axle shop to have them put it on a rack and measure. I bet they will find the issue. Of course that isnt free but worth it.

[rking117]

Besides the dealer cant have it both ways, they said they compared it to a Z4 on the lot who also had some deviation. Well then that would be true for both wheels not just one. You have the right side in perfect alignment to the vehicle while the other side is not. Judging from the original post that even though you didnt take notice of the issue prior to the issue you would have noticed it before the incident.

[tranquility]

Yes, the left one looks weird, definitely something wrong, at least visually. GL and pls update when it is resolved.

[CedarZ4]

The CCRC said they they finally fixed the problem, and had to replace the upper control arm, knuckle, and bushings. Didn't exactly say what was wrong with it or what caused it. When I go pick up my car, I will definitely grab a copy of the invoice and post the specifics incase this happens to anyone else. So, after holding onto my car for a whole month I'm glad they got that resolved. Will be picking up my car sometime next week (they were painting some panels on the car as well and said they need to wait for the "detail person" to get in). Let's hope it color matches this time as I've already returned it to them for a repaint due to color mismatch the first time. Story for another time.

[nicknaz]

Nice! glad you got it resolved. It really pays to be persistent and not taking "its normal" for an answer if you know there's an issue.