replaced Lower control arms, and CV Axle- Alignment is off.

[asem111]

I have 69k miles on my X5 and the dealer said I needed new front lower control arm bushings, and Left outer CV boot was torn and needed replaced.
I got the entire control arms,and the left CV axle replaced from an shop (not the dealer), and when I picked up the X5, the alignment was all off.
To keep the car straight, i have to turn the steering wheel about 20 degrees to the left.
Is it normal for alignment to be so off once either the control arms or the CV axle is replaced?
I'm going in to get an alignment tomorrow, but want to make sure if this was caused by something the mechanics did (in which I have them pay for it), or something that needs to be done after a job like this.

thanks.

[ftgambit]

asem,
its not normal, the contrl arms simply provide stability in cornering the up and down motion, your alignment issue could be if they loosened the struts to allow the wheel hub to drop in order to put on the new parts, if so they may not have retightened them correctly causing the alignment to be off, not sure what else it could be as all the components in the wheel area are fixed and do not move left to right its up and down only except for the steering and CVJoint

[mywidebody02]

not the struts but the tie rod ends. the control arms would be the camber.

[TowX]

I had the same issue when the dealer replaced my left axle and one control arm bushing. Had to realign after the repairs because the X pulled to the right. I suspect that the alignment I'd had done 3 months before the repair had the camber and toe set with a bushing that was worn, thus not exactly centered. Putting the fresh bushings in changed the effective length of the control arm. Granted it was probably tenths of a mm, but even that could be enough to change the camber by a degree or so, and the toe by enough to put the steering wheel off center. Realigning cured the problem in my case. And yes, left front camber was off.

[hayaku]

correct... requires an alignment to recenter the steering wheel.

[asem111]

I got the alignement done, and its 99% better now.
One thing I am noticing is that there is a bit more play in the stearing wheel when turning right. Turning left gives a slightly firmer feel, probably because the left axle was replaced and is new. It feels more like what my other BMW feels like, and I love that firm feel.
I'm wondeing if I should have replaced the right axle too, to balance it out.
The dealer had told me that if they change one bushing, they do the other as well (always done in pairs). Is that recommended when replacing a L or R front axle as well?

[hayaku]

yes, its the bushing since you have a new one and an old one. have them change the other bushing as well.

[asem111]

Both CA bushings are new (replaced both Control Arms).
Only the Left CV axle was replaced (it had a torn boot).

[hayaku]

who performed the alignment then? they just need to make sure there is no slop in any of the control arms where the adjustments are made and both are pretty much even side to side

[Engz]

When changing anything that involves in suspension, besides maybe like a strut bar. You always have to recheck your alignment. Idk if the mechanic says your alignment will be fine, check it anyways. Your alignment can be off by a couple of degrees just by hitting a bump on the road.