Alignment question

cuddapah · 05-03-2012, 12:15 PM

I have 12,300 miles on my 2011 Z4 35i. Less than an year. I noticed one of the rear tire (driver side) has more outer edge wear. Besides the tire, I noticed some change in the drive. I can't explain what the change is. But it is not the same as before. I am thinking of taking to the dealer for alignment. How often is alignment required ?

Mr. ///M3 RD · 05-03-2012, 02:34 PM

The rear on your car needs the camber angle checked. Rears to my knowlage are only balanced not aligned (there may be some sort of alignmnet check I am not aware of, perhaps someone else can chime in here and help out).

Your front's need alignment that would be correct, you would normally be able to tell if your car pulls to one side or on the way your front tires wear.

Balancing can be done in 2 ways

A) Static, the mechanic set your wheel on the balancer and based up on the bubble readout adds weights.

or

B) Dynamic the wheel is spun at some speed in a balance machine and weight is added based upon data readout. This is also called "Force Balance"

Note; I've found that balance weights sometimes fall off (it is a good idea to take note how many balance weights you have on each wheel - if some fall off then it would be time to rebalance the wheel).

To your question "How often is it done?" This depends on your tire wear and for the front wheels when you feel the steering is pulling to one or the other side.

Important as you know are tire pressures, check them often. Your Z has a negative camber angle at the rear wheels only approximately -2.5 degree. When I drove my Z my rear tires showed premature wear on the inside. A Tire Shop Manager told me it is due to too much weight in the trunk (roof and vacation luggage). His recommendation was that if one expects to travel long distances with the roof and luggage in the trunk then increase rear tire pressure by 4 PSI approx. 10% above recommended.

Why don't you take your car to a good Tire Shop and let them tell you what they think.

Good Luck

cuddapah · 05-03-2012, 03:11 PM

Thanks ! I took an appointment with BMW for Service tomorrow. I had a really bad experience with non-dealer tire shops and their chains for my 2009 Audi A4. So taking to the dealer.

Jayda · 05-03-2012, 08:04 PM

How can they adjust the camber in the rear with only balancing? I recently got an alignment at BMW. My rear camber was reset. I thought this was part of the alignment. I do have different wheel weights On the rears now though (can tell that by looking). My rears had extensive inner edge wear and then I hit a road hazard, got one tire replace under BMW wheel and tire warranty so decide to replace the other tire as well. Car was only a little past 10,000 miles, way to early to need rear tires in my opinion but the ride is really improved with the new rubber!

jparnes1 · 05-03-2012, 08:40 PM

The rear wheels can definitely be aligned. I had it down because of excessive outside tire wear. Balancing does nothing for alignment, it just makes the wheel spin without vibration.

Mr. ///M3 RD · 05-04-2012, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jayda

How can they adjust the camber in the rear with only balancing?

I don't think anyone talked about balancing the camber. The camber is a angle the wheel is set at. This can only be adjusted (increasing or decreasing the angle i;e the camber) it has nothing whosoever to do with balancing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jparnes1

The rear wheels can definitely be aligned.

I would love someone to explain that in more detail. The rear axle is a fixed assembly I can understand the camber needing adjustment. If the rear wheels (being a fixed solid axel assembly) can also be aligned then that must be a new method that I am not aware of perhaps only on the Z

jparnes1, looks like you know all about this perhaps you can provide more details.

Jayda · 05-04-2012, 07:30 AM

If the rear wheels can't be aligned, what is a 4 wheel alignment (as it is typically advertised)?

HerrK · 05-04-2012, 07:41 AM

Minor adjustments to the rear "Toe" angle can be made using the slots in the trailing arm hanger. This is true for all BMWs. Rear Castor angle is not adjustable nor is it a concern as the wheels are not steering.

Mr. ///M3 RD · 05-04-2012, 08:15 AM

Thank you HerrK, I stand to be corrected.

cuddapah · 05-04-2012, 04:59 PM

I just the alignment done! Receipt says 4-WHEEL THRUST ALIGNMENT.
I am uploading alignment report with before and after readings. See attached.

jparnes1 · 05-04-2012, 08:01 PM

I wonder why they left the camber on the front axle so far off from the target?

cuddapah · 05-04-2012, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jparnes1

I wonder why they left the camber on the front axle so far off from the target?

Hmmm ... it is in green now .. still bad ? I can ask the tech on Monday .. all the other readings are ok ? Please let me know. Thanks !

jparnes1 · 05-04-2012, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cuddapah

Hmmm ... it is in green now .. still bad ? I can ask the tech on Monday .. all the other readings are ok ? Please let me know. Thanks !

It's prob all right. I was just curious.

05-03-2012, 12:15 PM	#1
cuddapah First Lieutenant 41 Rep 312 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW Z4 sDrive 35i Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Jacksonville, FL iTrader: (0)	Alignment question I have 12,300 miles on my 2011 Z4 35i. Less than an year. I noticed one of the rear tire (driver side) has more outer edge wear. Besides the tire, I noticed some change in the drive. I can't explain what the change is. But it is not the same as before. I am thinking of taking to the dealer for alignment. How often is alignment required ?
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05-03-2012, 02:34 PM	#2
Mr. ///M3 RD Happy Camper 612 Rep 7,869 Posts Drives: C63 AMG & 280 SL on Weekends : Join Date: May 2010 Location: GTA, Ontario - Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 1969 Restored Merce ... [7.50] 2011 M3 Coupe TRADED [7.34] 1987 BMW 535is [1.00] Cars from the Past [6.50] The ///M3 Engine S65 [9.59]	The rear on your car needs the camber angle checked. Rears to my knowlage are only balanced not aligned (there may be some sort of alignmnet check I am not aware of, perhaps someone else can chime in here and help out). Your front's need alignment that would be correct, you would normally be able to tell if your car pulls to one side or on the way your front tires wear. Balancing can be done in 2 ways A) Static, the mechanic set your wheel on the balancer and based up on the bubble readout adds weights. or B) Dynamic the wheel is spun at some speed in a balance machine and weight is added based upon data readout. This is also called "Force Balance" Note; I've found that balance weights sometimes fall off (it is a good idea to take note how many balance weights you have on each wheel - if some fall off then it would be time to rebalance the wheel). To your question "How often is it done?" This depends on your tire wear and for the front wheels when you feel the steering is pulling to one or the other side. Important as you know are tire pressures, check them often. Your Z has a negative camber angle at the rear wheels only approximately -2.5 degree. When I drove my Z my rear tires showed premature wear on the inside. A Tire Shop Manager told me it is due to too much weight in the trunk (roof and vacation luggage). His recommendation was that if one expects to travel long distances with the roof and luggage in the trunk then increase rear tire pressure by 4 PSI approx. 10% above recommended. Why don't you take your car to a good Tire Shop and let them tell you what they think. Good Luck __________________ Cheers, Rolf-Dieter Life will take us to some interesting places, fortunately The ///M3 will too with a many of us know this very well, now my C6.3 AMG with 487 HP does it too ---> Click here for some good stuff I found Last edited by Mr. ///M3 RD; 05-03-2012 at 02:39 PM..
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05-03-2012, 03:11 PM	#3
cuddapah First Lieutenant 41 Rep 312 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW Z4 sDrive 35i Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Jacksonville, FL iTrader: (0)	Thanks ! I took an appointment with BMW for Service tomorrow. I had a really bad experience with non-dealer tire shops and their chains for my 2009 Audi A4. So taking to the dealer.
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05-03-2012, 08:04 PM	#4
Jayda Lieutenant 41 Rep 509 Posts Drives: 2009 Z4 35i Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: SC iTrader: (0)	How can they adjust the camber in the rear with only balancing? I recently got an alignment at BMW. My rear camber was reset. I thought this was part of the alignment. I do have different wheel weights On the rears now though (can tell that by looking). My rears had extensive inner edge wear and then I hit a road hazard, got one tire replace under BMW wheel and tire warranty so decide to replace the other tire as well. Car was only a little past 10,000 miles, way to early to need rear tires in my opinion but the ride is really improved with the new rubber! __________________ 2009 Z4 35i, alpine white with beige leather and all the goodies (new to me with 4,500 miles in October, 2011)
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05-03-2012, 08:40 PM	#5
jparnes1 Colonel 245 Rep 2,387 Posts Drives: 2016 340i, 2012 Z4 35i Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: NY iTrader: (1)	The rear wheels can definitely be aligned. I had it down because of excessive outside tire wear. Balancing does nothing for alignment, it just makes the wheel spin without vibration. __________________ 2016 340i XDrive, EBII/black, 6 MT, M Sport, Track Handling, Cold Weather, Tech, Lighting, Driver Assistance Plus. 2012 Z4 35i, ED 2/24/2012, Melbourne Red Metallic, Black Leather, Carbon Trim, 6MT, M Sport, CW, PP, PS, NAV, CA.
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05-04-2012, 07:30 AM	#7
Jayda Lieutenant 41 Rep 509 Posts Drives: 2009 Z4 35i Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: SC iTrader: (0)	If the rear wheels can't be aligned, what is a 4 wheel alignment (as it is typically advertised)? __________________ 2009 Z4 35i, alpine white with beige leather and all the goodies (new to me with 4,500 miles in October, 2011)
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05-04-2012, 07:41 AM	#8
HerrK Captain 42 Rep 640 Posts Drives: 21 X5 40i, 77 R100Rs Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: AZ iTrader: (0)	Minor adjustments to the rear "Toe" angle can be made using the slots in the trailing arm hanger. This is true for all BMWs. Rear Castor angle is not adjustable nor is it a concern as the wheels are not steering. __________________ HerrK - 2021 X5 40i M Sport l PCD l Atlantis Blue/Ext'd Tartufo Merino l M Sport w/blue Calipers l Matt Popular l HK Sound l 740's l Exec & Drive Pro Pack Sold w/Great Memories - E89 Z4 l ED 2010 l 2011 35i l Crimson/Ext'd Coral Red w/Alum l 6 sp MT l Prem Sound l Sport Pack l 296's
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05-04-2012, 08:15 AM	#9
Mr. ///M3 RD Happy Camper 612 Rep 7,869 Posts Drives: C63 AMG & 280 SL on Weekends : Join Date: May 2010 Location: GTA, Ontario - Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 1969 Restored Merce ... [7.50] 2011 M3 Coupe TRADED [7.34] 1987 BMW 535is [1.00] Cars from the Past [6.50] The ///M3 Engine S65 [9.59]	Thank you HerrK, I stand to be corrected. __________________ Cheers, Rolf-Dieter Life will take us to some interesting places, fortunately The ///M3 will too with a many of us know this very well, now my C6.3 AMG with 487 HP does it too ---> Click here for some good stuff I found Last edited by Mr. ///M3 RD; 06-12-2012 at 03:21 PM..
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05-04-2012, 04:59 PM	#10
cuddapah First Lieutenant 41 Rep 312 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW Z4 sDrive 35i Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Jacksonville, FL iTrader: (0)	I just the alignment done! Receipt says 4-WHEEL THRUST ALIGNMENT. I am uploading alignment report with before and after readings. See attached. Attached Images Last edited by cuddapah; 05-04-2012 at 05:14 PM..
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05-04-2012, 08:01 PM	#11
jparnes1 Colonel 245 Rep 2,387 Posts Drives: 2016 340i, 2012 Z4 35i Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: NY iTrader: (1)	I wonder why they left the camber on the front axle so far off from the target? __________________ 2016 340i XDrive, EBII/black, 6 MT, M Sport, Track Handling, Cold Weather, Tech, Lighting, Driver Assistance Plus. 2012 Z4 35i, ED 2/24/2012, Melbourne Red Metallic, Black Leather, Carbon Trim, 6MT, M Sport, CW, PP, PS, NAV, CA.
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