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Thread: E36 unsafe after alignment

  1. #1
    Join Date
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    E36 unsafe after alignment

    My rear end keeps wanting to slide out to the left when the road isn't dry. I had it done 2 months ago. They told me that they couldn't get the bolt off the right rear trailing arm. What should I do?

    Front:
    camber -1.5° on left -1.8° on right
    caster 3.6° on left 3.2° on right
    toe 0.13 on left 0.12 on right

    Rear:
    camber -1.1° on left -2.0° on right
    toe .53° on left 1.17° on right

    Overall thrust angle is -0.33° degrees (to the left)
    Last edited by Jkep91; 12-12-2017 at 05:21 PM.

  2. #2
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jkep91 View Post
    What should I do?
    Find a different shop and get it fixed!!!



    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  3. #3
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    Visit a competent BMW specialist shop to remove and possibly replace RTABS, along with any other worn suspension pieces.
    Once failed suspension pieces have been replaced ask for a recommendation of a good alignment shop.

  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by MIKYZZ4 View Post
    Visit a competent BMW specialist shop to remove and possibly replace RTABS, along with any other worn suspension pieces.
    Once failed suspension pieces have been replaced ask for a recommendation of a good alignment shop.
    I was going to get adjustable camber arms and the Fastrax gauge to do it myself. I replaced all the struts, springs and control arms already. If I remember correctly the RTABs were in decent shape. I just need to loosen the bolts and slide the arm over to get the right toe.


    Quote Originally Posted by bluptgm3 View Post
    Find a different shop and get it fixed!!!



    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    For sure. Thank you!

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by MIKYZZ4 View Post
    Visit a competent BMW specialist shop to remove and possibly replace RTABS, along with any other worn suspension pieces.
    Once failed suspension pieces have been replaced ask for a recommendation of a good alignment shop.
    I do almost all the part replacing myself because I don't trust any mechanic. I was thinking about getting the Fastrax camber/caster gauge. I already replaced all of the struts, springs, and tie rods. Good or bad idea?

  6. #6
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    If you get the gauge and have confidence in your skills-go for it!
    I'd say it's a good idea if you have a basic understanding of suspension geometry.

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by MIKYZZ4 View Post
    If you get the gauge and have confidence in your skills-go for it!
    I'd say it's a good idea if you have a basic understanding of suspension geometry.
    Im very mechanically inclined. I got this! Thanks MIKYZZ4!

  8. #8
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    I'd still suggest having an alignment shop dial everything in for you. You can get in the ballpark at home, but unless you have a full rack that is perfectly level with fin adjustment you just aren't going to have nearly the same precision as a shop with a professional rack. Plus, a good shop like the one I use will ask you your weight, whether you want it weighted for just the driver or for other passengers/cargo as well, and then align it under those weight conditions.

    That said, you can probably fix the trailing arm issue yourself. Douse it in PB blaster and use some heat if necessary and a lot of torque. It also looks like they couldn't get your left rear camber arm undone because they didn't touch that either. Both rear camber and toe should be equal side-to-side. You should be able to correct that at home and get a rudimentary rear alignment with a DIY tool or a straight edge, and then find a better shop who knows what they're doing.
    1999 M3/2/5 - Titanium Silver - Track/Weekend Toy


  9. #9
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    I have more confidence that, he can do a better job, than the shop that couldn't get the bolt off the right rear trailing arm!

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by MIKYZZ4 View Post
    I have more confidence that, he can do a better job, than the shop that couldn't get the bolt off the right rear trailing arm!
    This is true, though I would prioritize finding a better shop. Did he take it to a Jiffy-Lube-esque chain or something? At least in my area there's plenty of independent BMW/German shops for general shop work, and for alignments there's plenty of specialty alignment/suspension shops which setup racecars and whatnot. In a pinch, most good tire retailers also usually do an ok job. I've used a Hankook tire near me for my wife's car.
    1999 M3/2/5 - Titanium Silver - Track/Weekend Toy


  11. #11
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    96 E36 Vert 03 E39 M5
    You can do it!
    Maybe somethings' bent did you hit anything ?
    That rear toe is what's killing you bro. do the RTAB's anyway since you're in there.
    http://www.bmwmregistry.com/detail.php?id=13792
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