detach8
Well-Known Member
Guys, just wanted to share some stuff.
Story
I aligned my F10 after getting a new set of M-sport suspension (springs + shocks + ARBs) off the forum. The alignment was done at a reputable shop in Sin Ming, about 1 week after the install to make sure my suspension has settled down. Costs approx $80.
Before suspension change - car pulling left
Prior to the installation of the suspension I had the well known "pulling left" issue. (US/LHD will report "pulling right"), see: http://www.bmw-sg.com/forums/bmw-5-series-owners/67084-f10-steering-pulling-left.html
After suspension change - pulling reduced
After installing the suspension and before alignment, my pulling was reduced, but still there.
After suspension change + align at outside workshop - pulling worse
After alignment, my pulling actually got WORSE.
New discovery - rear suspension not level
Then a month or two later I also noticed my rear suspension was not level, see: http://www.bmw-sg.com/forums/bmw-5-...-suspension-one-side-high-one-side-low-2.html
Alignment at BMW dealer - Munich Auto
So yesterday I went to Munich for my regular oil change service, I reported this pulling issue to my SA and he recommended me an alignment. It was really expensive, $200+ to be exact. But since I was there, and that my SA insisted that it would fix the pulling issue, I told them to go ahead.
(I'm not a carrot BTW, I weighed the pros and cons of this -- $80 vs $200+ they'd better do a good job and fix my issue, or I'm going to be bugging them like hell.)
Result
1) My pulling issue was reduced drastically. Now it still pulls a little to the left, but very mild.
2) Surprisingly my rears are now LEVEL. I wonder how did alignment affect suspension height?
Although my SA did not explain much to me (he was running around busy) he kept assuring me that "outside workshop won't be able to do it right", I did my fair share of reading up. Please tell me if the following are facts or FUDs:
1) BMW uses the same alignment machine as most reputable shops - KDS Hunter.
2) BMW uses a different method to attach the alignment sensors to the wheel. Our stock BMW rims have 5 small holes. That's for the sensor! Now we know what that is for. Outside workshops actually clip on the edge of the rim. The use of the 5 small holes will eliminate any rim deformities or any poor mounting of the sensor as it is directly measured on the hub.
3) BMW uses weights for the alignment and does a pre-alignment check for ride height. This is to ensure that under load the cambers (and also indirectly affecting toe) are at the correct angles. Most outside workshops do not do this. Note that when ride height changes, the camber changes, the toe also changes a little, especially in the rear multi-link setup.
4) The alignment machine although made by the same manufacturer, BMW dealer specific ones connect to the car to calibrate the steering angle sensor at the same time. While on hydraulic steering the steering angle sensor merely helps with DSC aka Traction Control, electric powered steering (aka Servotronic found on our F series cars) may have to depend on it to drive straight.
5) Outside workshops will tell you that the front cambers are not adjustable. This is not true. On some models (not sure about my F10 -- cannot find info yet) there is a little pin that can be removed to make small adjustments to the camber on the front.
I know the F10 (and F01, and some other newer BMW cars) have more advanced suspension especially up front - double wishbone (vs the old Mcpherson Struts). I am not sure if all these contributed to the funny issues I had.
Question - does ARB affect alignment?
I am hoping somebody from MA can clarify this.
Story
I aligned my F10 after getting a new set of M-sport suspension (springs + shocks + ARBs) off the forum. The alignment was done at a reputable shop in Sin Ming, about 1 week after the install to make sure my suspension has settled down. Costs approx $80.
Before suspension change - car pulling left
Prior to the installation of the suspension I had the well known "pulling left" issue. (US/LHD will report "pulling right"), see: http://www.bmw-sg.com/forums/bmw-5-series-owners/67084-f10-steering-pulling-left.html
After suspension change - pulling reduced
After installing the suspension and before alignment, my pulling was reduced, but still there.
After suspension change + align at outside workshop - pulling worse
After alignment, my pulling actually got WORSE.
New discovery - rear suspension not level
Then a month or two later I also noticed my rear suspension was not level, see: http://www.bmw-sg.com/forums/bmw-5-...-suspension-one-side-high-one-side-low-2.html
Alignment at BMW dealer - Munich Auto
So yesterday I went to Munich for my regular oil change service, I reported this pulling issue to my SA and he recommended me an alignment. It was really expensive, $200+ to be exact. But since I was there, and that my SA insisted that it would fix the pulling issue, I told them to go ahead.
(I'm not a carrot BTW, I weighed the pros and cons of this -- $80 vs $200+ they'd better do a good job and fix my issue, or I'm going to be bugging them like hell.)
Result
1) My pulling issue was reduced drastically. Now it still pulls a little to the left, but very mild.
2) Surprisingly my rears are now LEVEL. I wonder how did alignment affect suspension height?
Although my SA did not explain much to me (he was running around busy) he kept assuring me that "outside workshop won't be able to do it right", I did my fair share of reading up. Please tell me if the following are facts or FUDs:
1) BMW uses the same alignment machine as most reputable shops - KDS Hunter.
2) BMW uses a different method to attach the alignment sensors to the wheel. Our stock BMW rims have 5 small holes. That's for the sensor! Now we know what that is for. Outside workshops actually clip on the edge of the rim. The use of the 5 small holes will eliminate any rim deformities or any poor mounting of the sensor as it is directly measured on the hub.
3) BMW uses weights for the alignment and does a pre-alignment check for ride height. This is to ensure that under load the cambers (and also indirectly affecting toe) are at the correct angles. Most outside workshops do not do this. Note that when ride height changes, the camber changes, the toe also changes a little, especially in the rear multi-link setup.
4) The alignment machine although made by the same manufacturer, BMW dealer specific ones connect to the car to calibrate the steering angle sensor at the same time. While on hydraulic steering the steering angle sensor merely helps with DSC aka Traction Control, electric powered steering (aka Servotronic found on our F series cars) may have to depend on it to drive straight.
5) Outside workshops will tell you that the front cambers are not adjustable. This is not true. On some models (not sure about my F10 -- cannot find info yet) there is a little pin that can be removed to make small adjustments to the camber on the front.
I know the F10 (and F01, and some other newer BMW cars) have more advanced suspension especially up front - double wishbone (vs the old Mcpherson Struts). I am not sure if all these contributed to the funny issues I had.
Question - does ARB affect alignment?
I am hoping somebody from MA can clarify this.
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