Rear camber won't adjust back within specifications

[jac]

Hi,

So, I took the '01 3.0i X5 to an alignment shop and they claim that the camber on the rear will not adjust back to within the limits. It is now something like -2.7 on the left rear wheel. The shop claims that the rear springs and possibly also the rear struts need to be replaced in order to bring the camber back to within spec.

Do the springs (and struts) affect the camber? Are there any other parts that could throw the camber off that much? Or is this repair shop just making-up stuff to get some $$ out of me? Perhaps the alignment is so tricky to the point that the shop does not know how to do it and so I should just take it to the dealer and have them do it?

Thanks!

BTW: I have owned the car from the day it came off the lot, and I know that it has not had any accidents...

[killcrap]

how many miles do you have on the x5? more than 200k? components that can cause that to happen around this milage would be the lower swing arm, there is a bushing inside the arm than can collapse.

[Weasel]

Yeah, odds are they don't know where to check... I'd guess the upper control arm and lower ball joint to have slack causing the camber issues.

[jst2878]

the guys probably dont know about the rear toe adjustments. take it to an experienced bmw mechanic

[wallyx5]

Originally Posted by killcrap

how many miles do you have on the x5? more than 200k? components that can cause that to happen around this milage would be the lower swing arm, there is a bushing inside the arm than can collapse.

I just replaced mine for exactly this, the bushing collapse. I noticed it when I saw one of my tires wearing bald on the inside. I took it to the aliment shop and the guy told me it was shot. So I replaced it, pain in the butt. I also replaced the upper control arm like Weasel suggested.

Do you have air suspension?

[jac]

Wow... Thanks for all the responses!

The car has 130K miles and it is a standard 3.0i (i.e. no sports pkg). So, it has the regular suspension, which I dont think is the "air suspension", right?

Regarding, the "lower swing arm": is that the same thing as the "control arm"?

Thanks!!!

[wallyx5]

You have a lower swing arm, which is the big one that has the bushings built into it. They are not replaceable and you must replace the whole part. About 2hrs of work. They vary around $220-350.

Then you also have an upper control arm (wishbone). And upper control arm (guide link). These guys are pretty cheap $ 70-80

[dpgx5]

I have the same problem! The pervious owner was hit drivers side. But I'm so picky when i look at the rear.

Drivers side has a proper camber but the pass. side is almost flush with the fender. I remember my mechanic saying while we had it on the rack that it wouldnt allow him to dial in more...

The thing was BMW had the ownership cause it was on lease. I was told it was all replaced. Would the shop that did the work maybe cut some corners?

[Rockmelon]

Just to share, this is what I did for the rear camber prob (see pics taken off a Lexus GS350). They removed the wheel, installed the steel plate with hydraulic jack attached. Then they pushed out the top of the plate against the suspension and leave the jack there for about 3 hours. Before: LHS = -2.2 degrees & RHS = -2.6 degrees. After: LHS = -1.7 degrees & RHS = -1.6 degrees. Tyre noise due to uneven wear on the inner side of the tyre is substantially reduced after this. Hope that this lasts. I was told that the device came from the US and most European branded car agents (e.g. Mercedes) send their cars to this shop for pulling. Cost was USD160 including all 4 wheel alignment.

[killcrap]

ghetto, i would just replace the swing arm, and then do an alignment.