Steering return to centre feel after alignment

Lozza47 · 10-01-2022, 12:33 AM

Hey guys,
Just got my car wheel aligned and noticed the steering is very light and has less of a return to centre feel. Caster is up at 8.5 degrees each side which shouldn't feel like this from memory.
The rest of the wheel alignment specs are good too.

Could there be a problem anything worth checking?

EDIT: only happens on left turns (RHD car).

DrFerry · 10-02-2022, 04:40 PM

Please post a picture of the before and after final alignment spec sheet.

1) Were the tire pressures increased?

2) Did the front camber specs change to become more positive?

3) Seek to maximize caster.

Increasing tire pressure reduces pneumatic trail which is worse for residual alignment torque (feel).

But increasing caster increases pneumatic trail which increases aligning torque.

Increasing camber increases camber thrust force and increases aligning torque.

Lozza47 · 10-02-2022, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrFerry

Please post a picture of the before and after final alignment spec sheet.

1) Were the tire pressures increased?

2) Did the front camber specs change to become more positive?

3) Seek to maximize caster.

Increasing tire pressure reduces pneumatic trail which is worse for residual alignment torque (feel).

But increasing caster increases pneumatic trail which increases aligning torque.

Increasing camber increases camber thrust force and increases aligning torque.

Thank you for your reply.
My caster is maxed out (same settings pre alignment) however I went from -1.6F camber to -3.0, for a track day.
Tyre pressure remains the same.

GroznyZ06 · 10-14-2022, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lozza47

Thank you for your reply.
My caster is maxed out (same settings pre alignment) however I went from -1.6F camber to -3.0, for a track day.
Tyre pressure remains the same.

I noticed the same thing after alignment - more camber and caster. I asked a few people about this and it is apparently normal (especially if you are running spherical thrust arms).

s0ldats · 10-14-2022, 07:27 PM

past a certain point (beyond -3.0 in my experience) more camber will give you less on center feel when driving straight, but it grips up amazing in the corners

10-01-2022, 12:33 AM	#1
Lozza47 Private First Class 39 Rep 129 Posts Drives: 2013 F30 335i / 2011 E92 M3 Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: Melbourne iTrader: (0)	Steering return to centre feel after alignment Hey guys, Just got my car wheel aligned and noticed the steering is very light and has less of a return to centre feel. Caster is up at 8.5 degrees each side which shouldn't feel like this from memory. The rest of the wheel alignment specs are good too. Could there be a problem anything worth checking? EDIT: only happens on left turns (RHD car). __________________ 2011 E92 M3 - Mineral White - Pure Edition I Last edited by Lozza47; 10-02-2022 at 04:34 PM.. Reason: More info
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10-02-2022, 04:40 PM	#2
DrFerry Field Marshal 6735 Rep 1,829 Posts Drives: '08 E92 M3 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Greenville, SC iTrader: (5) Garage List 2008 BMW M3 [5.25] 2015 BMW X5 [4.50]	Please post a picture of the before and after final alignment spec sheet. 1) Were the tire pressures increased? 2) Did the front camber specs change to become more positive? 3) Seek to maximize caster. Increasing tire pressure reduces pneumatic trail which is worse for residual alignment torque (feel). But increasing caster increases pneumatic trail which increases aligning torque. Increasing camber increases camber thrust force and increases aligning torque. __________________ '08 E92 M3 DCT Melbourne Red/Bamboo Beige Leather/EDC/SSP Spec-R DCT clutch discs/SSP Pro-Gold DCT Fluid/Quaife LSD/3:45 Final Drive by Diffs Online/BE Bearings & ARP Bolts/Vibra Technics Engine Mounts/M3 World HFC X-Pipe/LUX H8 180/BPM Sport DCT Tune/PFC Z-Rated Pads/ECS Brass Brake Caliper Bushings/Alex Shop Solid Sub-frame Bushings/Motul 600/Tint
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10-14-2022, 07:27 PM	#5
s0ldats First Lieutenant 54 Rep 334 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 M3 stripper Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: socal iTrader: (0)	past a certain point (beyond -3.0 in my experience) more camber will give you less on center feel when driving straight, but it grips up amazing in the corners
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