Alignment Question

Scharbag · 08-26-2022, 08:34 PM

Had an alignment done and I am curious as to the front camber.

It was the end of the day and I did not have time to chat with them. I thought that the M3 was pretty adjustable. Perhaps I am losing my mind.

Anyway, is this out of whack?

MisterClutch888 · 08-27-2022, 01:03 PM

what suspension you running? assuming no camber plates?

Scharbag · 08-27-2022, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MisterClutch888

what suspension you running? assuming no camber plates?

Stock ZCP.

DrFerry · 08-27-2022, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scharbag

Had an alignment done and I am curious as to the front camber. It was the end of the day and I did not have time to chat with them. I thought that the M3 was pretty adjustable. Perhaps I am losing my mind. Anyway, is this out of whack?

Yes it is. The front axle camber has what's know as Camber-Split. Some is okay i.e. a few tenths of a degree but the Current camber measured afterwards shows a camber split of -1.2 degrees. Camber-Split typically causes the vehicle to pull - especially on crowned roads. In your case it will now probably want to pull left due to the camber thrust force of the right front being greater than the camber thrust force of the left front. The rear axle looks fine. To test for pull find a straight road with little to no crown. Maintain a constant speed of about 50mph and loosen your grip on the steering wheel. The vehicle will probably drift and pull left.
PS:
NASCAR racers successfully use camber spilt to cause the car to want to turn left and to increase grip on the banking.
.
http://144.162.92.233/faculty/djones.../alignment.pdf

s0ldats · 08-27-2022, 05:32 PM

who aligned that thing? it seems like all they did was twist the tie rods a few times and call it a day

Davisca455 · 08-27-2022, 05:43 PM

That seems like a big difference from one side to the other.
If I had a vote, I'd recommend pulling the alignment pins and try to get the front camber to match side to side.

My guess is that the left side will get to -1.6 after the pin is pulled.
If it lands near the -1.6 guess, make the right side match.

But if tracking, camber plates for sure.

Scharbag · 08-28-2022, 10:46 AM

The shop likely just did not know how... Bit of a PITA but it needs it adjusted.

omgzirra_exe · 08-29-2022, 02:43 AM

i would just pull the alignment pin and call it a day.

it would instantly max to -2 degrees almost. you won't notice any difference in tire wear or street-ability.

but you will need to re-adjust the toe possibly.

Scharbag · 08-29-2022, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by omgzirra_exe

i would just pull the alignment pin and call it a day.

it would instantly max to -2 degrees almost. you won't notice any difference in tire wear or street-ability.

but you will need to re-adjust the toe possibly.

That's my thought. At least make them consistent.

08-26-2022, 08:34 PM	#1
Scharbag Colonel 2646 Rep 2,145 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 M3 Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Victoria iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW E92 M3 [0.00]	Alignment Question Had an alignment done and I am curious as to the front camber. It was the end of the day and I did not have time to chat with them. I thought that the M3 was pretty adjustable. Perhaps I am losing my mind. Anyway, is this out of whack? Attached Images __________________ 2011 E92 M3 - 6MT, ZCP, ZF LSD, ESS G1, Some other goodies...
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08-27-2022, 01:03 PM	#2
MisterClutch888 Lieutenant 557 Rep 582 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 M3 6MT ZCP Join Date: Apr 2020 Location: 604 \| 852 iTrader: (8)	what suspension you running? assuming no camber plates? __________________ Current - 2011 E90 M3, Jet Black, 6MT ZCP. Recaro/Bilstein/BBS/StopTech/Haimus/Turner/Pinnacle/BE/Auto Solutions/Macht Schnell/GC/Whiteline/Slon/Alpine Sold - 2008 E92 M3, AW x FR, 6MT. CF roof is oh-so-Sexy! IG @misterclutch888 Slow Build
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08-27-2022, 05:32 PM	#5
s0ldats First Lieutenant 54 Rep 334 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 M3 stripper Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: socal iTrader: (0)	who aligned that thing? it seems like all they did was twist the tie rods a few times and call it a day
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08-27-2022, 05:43 PM	#6
Davisca455 Captain 2208 Rep 865 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Davis, California iTrader: (0)	That seems like a big difference from one side to the other. If I had a vote, I'd recommend pulling the alignment pins and try to get the front camber to match side to side. My guess is that the left side will get to -1.6 after the pin is pulled. If it lands near the -1.6 guess, make the right side match. But if tracking, camber plates for sure. __________________ Chris, 2008 E92
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08-29-2022, 02:43 AM	#8
omgzirra_exe Lieutenant Colonel 1548 Rep 1,750 Posts Drives: 4.4L M3, IS300 Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Long Beach, CA iTrader: (0)	i would just pull the alignment pin and call it a day. it would instantly max to -2 degrees almost. you won't notice any difference in tire wear or street-ability. but you will need to re-adjust the toe possibly. __________________ Build: ZillaSpec M3 N1 Build M3Post Track General Discussion: Discord #fakeGTS
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