Specical equipment for alignment?

hueyhy · 12-31-2012, 04:48 PM

Done my alignment in an indy shop after I replaced some suspension parts.
the numbers were OK after it was done.
But I now feel the car wanders and I suspect it was the toe angle not right.
(When doing the alignment, I observed that everytime he done some adjustment and turned the steering wheel back and forth to calibrate the toe, the toe angle was different. I don't know why it cannot keep the good number.)

Then I drove to a firestone today, asking for an alignment check. then the guy there told me that some BMWs (including my E46) have special suspension, and require to add weight/pressure on the suspension when doing the alignment. they cannot do it at their shop. he told me either go to dealer or some shop which has the right equipment to do this...

I never heard of that.
So, could anyone with knowledge on this give some comments?
If that is right, then I think I'll go to the shop he recommended.(but far away from me, about 40 mins driving)
otherwise I'll just go a reputable shop nearby for the work.

TrickTizzle · 12-31-2012, 08:22 PM

Take your car back to your indy shop and explain to them what your experiencing, they will probably re-align it for free.

hueyhy · 12-31-2012, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrickTizzle

Take your car back to your indy shop and explain to them what your experiencing, they will probably re-align it for free.

it's about 40 minutes driving to there (one way), and I just don't trust them and don't want them to touch my car . ( driving back and forth, gas + toll is about $30, and it is not worth it)

sfcjetjr · 12-31-2012, 08:29 PM

I got lucky I guess that a mechanic at "Tire Kingdom" knew about the weight adding. They did a great job. Give them a call. Cheaper than dealer.

greenskycity · 12-31-2012, 08:33 PM

If I recall, BMW wants a full tank of gas in the car and 150lbs in each front seat. I just sat in the car once with my oldest kid while the aligned it and it drove the same as it did every other time I align it. I just fill the tank now before an alignment.
Green.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Bimmer App

hueyhy · 12-31-2012, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfcjetjr

I got lucky I guess that a mechanic at "Tire Kingdom" knew about the weight adding. They did a great job. Give them a call. Cheaper than dealer.

I think it's a "YMMV" situation.

btw, what's the weight adding mean. just put some weight in the car?

TrickTizzle · 01-02-2013, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hueyhy

it's about 40 minutes driving to there (one way), and I just don't trust them and don't want them to touch my car . ( driving back and forth, gas + toll is about $30, and it is not worth it)

Well then not sure how we can help you then.

It's just an alignment, not rocket science.

12-31-2012, 04:48 PM	#1
hueyhy Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 123 My Ride: E46 330i View My Garage	Specical equipment for alignment? Done my alignment in an indy shop after I replaced some suspension parts. the numbers were OK after it was done. But I now feel the car wanders and I suspect it was the toe angle not right. (When doing the alignment, I observed that everytime he done some adjustment and turned the steering wheel back and forth to calibrate the toe, the toe angle was different. I don't know why it cannot keep the good number.) Then I drove to a firestone today, asking for an alignment check. then the guy there told me that some BMWs (including my E46) have special suspension, and require to add weight/pressure on the suspension when doing the alignment. they cannot do it at their shop. he told me either go to dealer or some shop which has the right equipment to do this... I never heard of that. So, could anyone with knowledge on this give some comments? If that is right, then I think I'll go to the shop he recommended.(but far away from me, about 40 mins driving) otherwise I'll just go a reputable shop nearby for the work.

12-31-2012, 08:22 PM	#2
TrickTizzle Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Minneapolis/Milwaukee Posts: 2,984 My Ride: 325i View My Garage	Take your car back to your indy shop and explain to them what your experiencing, they will probably re-align it for free. __________________ TC Kline \| BMW Performance \| Active Autowerke .

12-31-2012, 08:33 PM	#5
greenskycity Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Lexington Posts: 178 My Ride: 1999 328i View My Garage	If I recall, BMW wants a full tank of gas in the car and 150lbs in each front seat. I just sat in the car once with my oldest kid while the aligned it and it drove the same as it did every other time I align it. I just fill the tank now before an alignment. Green. Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Bimmer App Last edited by greenskycity; 12-31-2012 at 08:46 PM.

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12-31-2012, 08:29 PM	#4
sfcjetjr Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Location: Avon Park, Florida Posts: 233 My Ride: 2002 BMW 325i View My Garage	I got lucky I guess that a mechanic at "Tire Kingdom" knew about the weight adding. They did a great job. Give them a call. Cheaper than dealer.