4.8is Ride Height Calibration

[bcredliner]

Here is the direct link for your X.

BMW x5 4 8IS lowering Links Module Fully Adjustable | eBay

[tmv]

FYI, there used to be a set in the for sale section, from 525iT_Feen. Not sure if he still has them.

[dhyrk3]

I tried to lower the X and noticed the negative camber on the front ..
Should that really be the consequence?

[Ricky Bobby]

The camber shouldn't be as negative in the front as in the rear, visually. Are you sure you aren't noticing toe? The two can be confused easily. Regardless, there is some adjustment for both in the front, IIRC the spec for camber in front is -.5 degrees or so, as opposed to a range of -1.0 to -2.0 in the rear.

Update to this thread, for whatever reason, after working on and replacing my seized tie rods in the front, my ride height settled itself a half inch higher, so I will have to recalibrate again, definitely have some visual reverse rake going on, and nothing was messed up on the sensors when I was under the car either. I may have to invest in a dedicated laptop and INPA...

[bcredliner]

If a vehicle is lowered the result will be an increase in negative camber. If a vehicle is raised the result is an increase in positive camber. Either change requires alignment.

When work is done on any adjustable suspension part the vehicle should be aligned. If the result is also that the vehicle sets higher the vehicle should be aligned before the ride height is recalibrated.

[Ricky Bobby]

Originally Posted by bcredliner

If a vehicle is lowered the result will be an increase in negative camber. If a vehicle is raised the result is an increase in positive camber. Either change requires alignment.

When work is done on any adjustable suspension part the vehicle should be aligned. If the result is also that the vehicle sets higher the vehicle should be aligned before the ride height is recalibrated.

So you think I should get aligned with my reverse rake before recalibrating the ride height (aka will the techs lower the front end to be level before performing alignment?)

[tmv]

I would get an alignment AFTER you have the ride height set to your liking.

[bcredliner]

The reason I suggested after is that it is my understanding that the increased height is associated with the tie rod change. If the ride height has changed for another reason then I agree with you. Either way I would feel better if I had an alignment re-check after all was done.

[Ricky Bobby]

Originally Posted by bcredliner

The reason I suggested after is that it is my understanding that the increased height is associated with the tie rod change. If the ride height has changed for another reason then I agree with you. Either way I would feel better if I had an alignment re-check after all was done.

Well my "sensor arms" are fine and all else looks ok under my X, so you're probably right, for whatever reason, changing the tie rods had changed the ride height in the front to be higher. I'm going to call the dealership and actually ask them if part of the procedure of the alignment is to level out the car, if so, then I would think that leveling the front axle would be part of the procedure and thus they could do it at the same time.

Basically, I know I sound cheap but if part of the alignment procedure is to make sure the corners are already at the proper ride height I don't expect to be charged for an additional "ride height calibration" procedure in addition to the alignment.

[bcredliner]

I assume you have driven your X since you replaced the tie rods so that the suspension has settled.

I have always had alignments done at the dealer. Once or twice I was not happy and they did a re-check at no charge.