Alignment Question / Help Needed

[Matt_UKTX]

Originally Posted by ard

FYI- the SA will be your 'relationship manager' with BMWNA over the next few years. I've made it a point to cultivate a real relationship with my SA. I really like her. It took a while but it is very comfortable and respectful- both ways. She gets me nice loaners when she can, and I don't bitch too much when she cant....

This worries me a bit. My SA seems nice enough, but isn't the best. I had to spend 15 minutes convincing him that it was not normal for the wheel to turn 1.6 turns one way and 1.75 turns the other way. Then I had to literally "teach" him that this could be adjusted with the tie rods. Initially he told me that this was just the "way it was" and it was normal and not adjustable.

Then with the pulling he tried to tell me it was the tires and that they would need to test another set of wheels and tires which might take a couple of days. When I asked why they couldn't switch the wheels of any of the 15 X5's on their lot, he rambled and said he would call me back. 30 mins later I got a call back saying they had tried another set, and it still pulled to the right.

I just wish I could find an SA that knew more about the car than I did, and that would not BS me at every turn to save themselves some time and effort.

Any tips?

[ard]

You can ping other owners in the area, see what they recommend.... (you can go to the members list and sort/search based on "Houston", for example.)

I also went to the service managers at two dealerships back in 2003 when I got my first BMW and had a chat- explained what I was like and what I wanted in an SA.

I don't mind an SA that knows less...I expect it. I just demand honesty. and while it will be very hard for most to believe, I am never a dick if they are straight with me.

[Matt_UKTX]

UPDATE 12/2:

I called and spoke to the Service Director today at the dealer. I explained my concerns and he seemed very reasonable. About 30 mins later, I got a call back from my SA telling me that they have a solution for my issues. Per PUMA recommendation and discussions with the Shop Foreman, they are going to replace the camber arm on my X5 to correct the pulling issue.

They will adjust the tie rods and redo my alignment. The part will arrive on Mon/Tues, so I should have my car on Weds.

This is frustrating, but at least progress is being made.

Any thoughts?

[ard]

Why does a new camber arm need replacing????

[Matt_UKTX]

I have no idea. Apparently the new arm is adjustable up to 30% or degrees (I can't remember). I'm not super technical, unfortunately.

If there are some questions I need to ask, then please let me know and I'll call the SA right now. Perhaps the current Camber Arm is deffective?

[ard]

Originally Posted by Matt_UKTX

I have no idea. Apparently the new arm is adjustable up to 30% or degrees (I can't remember). I'm not super technical, unfortunately.

If there are some questions I need to ask, then please let me know and I'll call the SA right now. Perhaps the current Camber Arm is deffective?

I think you are looking at part #16. The come in two 'flavors', one plus and one minus by 30' or half a degree I think.

My concern with a new car- IF THE ALLOWABLE ADJUSTMENTS CANNOT GET IT INTO ALIGNMENT- is as follows:
1. Some part is wrong, causing a misalignment
2. Some weld is wrong, causing a mounting point in the vehicle to be off, and even thought he parts and arms are correct, it still cannot get to alignment.


Interestingly, this process is much like medicine: you don't want to tell the patient 'what ifs'... so you just tell them, "well, we will do this next- lets see what the test shows"

Sorry Matt.

Good news is that this is all 'knowable'- it aligns or it doesn't, it isnt like it is a engine/tranny hidden damage issue that you really cannot diagnose clearly.

Maybe get him to send you the "best" alignment results they were able to get so far. Complete. I can't, but maybe someone can opine as to the ability of the upper arm to compensate....

A

[Matt_UKTX]

Ard, great post. Thanks...

Here's the interesting thing, on paper the car shows that it is adequately aligned, there are not any signs that there is an issue "on paper". However, in reality when I drive down the road, my car pulls to the right. Additionally my steering wheel turns more in one direction than the other.

I'm not 100% sure what the new camber arm will do. However, I'm inclined to let them do their thing, run through the motions and see how the end result comes out. As you said, at least once it's fixed, it's fixed. Not like a sensor, software, or tranny problem. I'll also be able to tell in 30 seconds or less if the issue is resolved, without even driving off the lot.

When I get the car, I'm going to ask for a full printout of everything, alignment specs too. The SA has agreed to give this to me. If the specs are off, I will not take the car back, simple. If the specs are correct and the car drives normally after this, I'll be a happy camper.

[Matt_UKTX]

UPDATE:

Just got this e-mail from my SA...

The new camber arm is 30 degrees + or - adjustable to compensate for the pulling to the right issues. Since the stock camber arm is fixed and no adjustment can be made from it.

Thoughts?

[Matt_UKTX]

Just had a call back from the Service Director (nice guy) and he informed me that they are replacing the camber arm with the exact same part. He said the shop foreman and master tech are working on my car, and are confident they can fix it. He said the current camber arm might be defective for a number of reasons - bad mold, bent in transit, etc.

[boyce89976]

I would not have two different camber arms on my car. I'd make them replace both front camber arms.