why -2 degrees camber only on one side after spring install?

UltraMagneticAL · 12-17-2009, 12:15 AM

so i installed some H&R's and brought it to firestone to get it aligned. when i got it back, they told me they couldn't get the driver's side front and rear to be less than -2 degrees! i've been trying to think how this could be possible. did i somehow overlook something on the spring install? or are the firestone techs who worked on my car on crack? firestone has been good to me on my MR2 when i'd give them my track or street settings, they got it pretty close. but this is the first time i took the M3 for alignment and it just seems like they didn't know what they were doing? any ideas?

aus · 12-17-2009, 12:21 AM

Don't know how that happened. Most can't get more than -1.4 to -1.6

rzm3 · 12-17-2009, 12:39 AM

1. Double check your install
2. Get it aligned at a dealer! They suck but they've done hundreds of M3s and know the correct specs/procedure.

UltraMagneticAL · 12-17-2009, 11:30 AM

I always double check my suspension installs. i've done countless suspension installs when i worked for a garage back in my college days...but i just can't think of a reason why the camber would be so off. i think i may have to bring it to the dealer or my trusted family mechanic for an alignment...but after i get new tires.

Radiation Joe · 12-17-2009, 11:45 AM

Check your ride height between driver and passenger sides to confirm no more than 1/4 inch difference with the drivers side being higher. The passenger side should never be higher than the driver's side.

If that is ok, I would get your car onto a frame machine and find out where it's bent.

miamie92m3 · 12-20-2009, 06:35 PM

after Dinan spring install, my driver side sits about 1/4 inch higher than the passenger. I thought this wasnt normal. So I should not be concerned?

aus · 12-20-2009, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miamie92m3

after Dinan spring install, my driver side sits about 1/4 inch higher than the passenger. I thought this wasnt normal. So I should not be concerned?

Check your ride height with someone sitting in the car... then it'll all make sense.

John@BMW · 01-07-2010, 09:15 AM

You can get -2 degrees camber in the front all day long by removing the 'centering' pin in each strut hat. Keeping the pins in lock you at about -1.6, removing the pins gives you more adjustment.

BMWs spec alignment for the car is -1.17 in the front

You need to take the car back to the shop- it is not very often that you can get the front end of this car aligned quickly- it might take 2 or 3 adjustments of the upper strut hat to dial in the proper camber.

Currently my car is at -1.8 front and -2 rear with RD sport springs

12-17-2009, 12:15 AM	#1
UltraMagneticAL Meh 929 Rep 781 Posts Drives: M3CS & Cayman S Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Cali iTrader: (1) Garage List 2019 BMW M3 CS [0.00] 2018 X3 M40i [0.00] 2017 BMW M2 [10.00]	why -2 degrees camber only on one side after spring install? so i installed some H&R's and brought it to firestone to get it aligned. when i got it back, they told me they couldn't get the driver's side front and rear to be less than -2 degrees! i've been trying to think how this could be possible. did i somehow overlook something on the spring install? or are the firestone techs who worked on my car on crack? firestone has been good to me on my MR2 when i'd give them my track or street settings, they got it pretty close. but this is the first time i took the M3 for alignment and it just seems like they didn't know what they were doing? any ideas?
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12-17-2009, 12:21 AM	#2
aus Major General 894 Rep 9,034 Posts Drives: Odysse Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Seal Beach, CA iTrader: (10)	Don't know how that happened. Most can't get more than -1.4 to -1.6 __________________ Let me get this straight... You are swapping out parts designed by some of the top engineers in the world because some guys sponsored by a company told you it's "better??" But when you ask the same guy about tracking, "oh no, I have a kid now" or "I just detailed my car." or "i just got new tires."
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12-17-2009, 12:39 AM	#3
rzm3 Moderator 675 Rep 4,737 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: USA iTrader: (18)	1. Double check your install 2. Get it aligned at a dealer! They suck but they've done hundreds of M3s and know the correct specs/procedure.
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12-17-2009, 11:30 AM	#4
UltraMagneticAL Meh 929 Rep 781 Posts Drives: M3CS & Cayman S Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Cali iTrader: (1) Garage List 2019 BMW M3 CS [0.00] 2018 X3 M40i [0.00] 2017 BMW M2 [10.00]	I always double check my suspension installs. i've done countless suspension installs when i worked for a garage back in my college days...but i just can't think of a reason why the camber would be so off. i think i may have to bring it to the dealer or my trusted family mechanic for an alignment...but after i get new tires.
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12-17-2009, 11:45 AM	#5
Radiation Joe Veni Vidi Vici 89 Rep 2,750 Posts Drives: '11 JB/BBe-6sp-e90 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Macungie PA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 e90 M3-Sold [8.50] 2003 RS6 - Sold [0.00] 2009 e90 M3 - Gone [0.00] 2003 M3 SOLD [0.00] old 2002 [10.00]	Check your ride height between driver and passenger sides to confirm no more than 1/4 inch difference with the drivers side being higher. The passenger side should never be higher than the driver's side. If that is ok, I would get your car onto a frame machine and find out where it's bent.
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12-20-2009, 06:35 PM	#6
miamie92m3 Private First Class 28 Rep 176 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Miami iTrader: (0)	after Dinan spring install, my driver side sits about 1/4 inch higher than the passenger. I thought this wasnt normal. So I should not be concerned?
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01-07-2010, 09:15 AM	#8
John@BMW I can't belive this car is a 4 door family sedan. 66 Rep 385 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 sedan, '96 M3 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (1)	You can get -2 degrees camber in the front all day long by removing the 'centering' pin in each strut hat. Keeping the pins in lock you at about -1.6, removing the pins gives you more adjustment. BMWs spec alignment for the car is -1.17 in the front You need to take the car back to the shop- it is not very often that you can get the front end of this car aligned quickly- it might take 2 or 3 adjustments of the upper strut hat to dial in the proper camber. Currently my car is at -1.8 front and -2 rear with RD sport springs __________________
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