Camber Issue on e82 120d coupe

[Devzo]

Hey guys, fitted new front tyres on my wife’s 1 series (2013 e82 120d coupe) 2 weeks back. Whilst the guys at tiger wheel were busy with the alignment they notified me that the camber on the vehicle is way out and needs to be adjusted. I was told they could adjust it and the technician proceeded to check the bolts on the strut and advised me that the pin was removed someone had already adjusted it to its fullest but they could still use the ‘special’ jig to get it back to spec. Was a bit concerned at this point and asked them to hold off on it as the car was being serviced at BMW the following week.

The car went it for its service last week and I notified BMW off the alignment/camber issue. They did the alignment under motorplan and I was told that the camber can only be sorted out as an accident claim via my insurance and would need to go to the BMW accident repair centre to sort out and yes, the car will have a comment on the motorplan!

We have the car for just over a year now, having done under 20k kms since purchased from BMW. During this time, BMW did the alignment once under motorplan. The car has never hit any potholes or anything that would affect the camber so drastically. Is the adjustment that Tiger Wheel has advised they could do acceptable?

 

[TurboLlew]

I didn't think that BMW did alignment on motorplan anymore. Tiger wheel did that for my wife's Elantra before (Giant pothole in my wife's case took its toll). They use a hydraulic jig to do it and in her case attached it to subframe locations - I did it at Sunninghill TWT. Wasn't exactly cheap (R450 on top of normal alignment cost), but I have subsequently aligned (normal alignment) again and again with no issues.

I have to note that the suspension and for that matter entire rear subframe design on the Elantra is very primitive relative to the multilink setups on BMWs. As to what an ARC would charge, I have no idea, but I would guess they may want to inspect shock towers, bent arms, cracks etc.

 

[Devzo]

Thanks for the response bud.

BMW advised that they checked for any mechanical damage and didn't note anything. Yip the cost is R450 at TWT.

 

[MikeR]

:coolShake: do it at TWT - BMW do still do alignment, but cannot do that sort of work in house, I wouldnt bother with insurance claim for that it will cost more in the end and the note on your system.

hitting a small pothole at a slight angle can do damage to any car and you dont notice it.

 

[Mc Member.]

Hang on, for those that have not dealt with this before.......


How hard do you need to hit a pothole to do THAT type of damage.


I ask because I note that there is some strange wear on the front left tyre which leads me to believe that camber, alignment and so on will need to be done when I change tyres.

 

[Devzo]

When the old tyres were taken off the vehicle,i did notice that the inside thread of the left tyre was really worn out so i need to sort this out soon.

Thanks for the feedback gents.

 

[Suniel]

Hi Devzo.

Did you ever manage to get your alignment/camber sorted out on your 120D?

Reason why I am asking is that I have had the same issue with my 135i over the past 4 years. Vehicle has been into BMW multiple times for alignment, they also advised that I must claim through insurance for accident damage, however there was no visible accident damage and no problems with my top shock mount towers. They sent my vehicle to the body shop on a number of occasions, but the vehicle always came back the same, however they advised that it was sorted or there is nothing wrong. I've even sent it to various alignment places, but still no luck. I changed the tyres on the vehicle last weekend and noticed mainly wear on the shoulders of the old tyres, the centre of the tyres still had 4.5mm thread, where as the shoulder had 0mm:thumbdo:

Supaquick (Observatory) advised me that to correct my toe and camber, the vehicle needs to be put on a hydraulic jig at Gibsons Tyres & Alignment to get a more negative camber and to correct the toe. currently my front camber is (R: -0,23deg and L: -0,53deg).

Now that I've replaced the tyres, I'm determined to get it corrected at least to -1deg both sides and 0deg toe with out having to fit camber plates or coilovers.

I'll let you know what was done once I have mine sorted.

Here's what my old front tyres looked like after 2 years.