Originally Posted by SunnyDaze (Post 1110454)

Hello all.

I have an 03 X5 with 170,000 mi. I just had the rear suspension rebuilt with a Lemforder kit. I checked the subframe bushings while I was down there. They look like they've been replaced already.

When it was time for an alignment the camber came into spec (-1.62L, -1.54R) but the toe wouldn't improve beyond -.28L, -.39R.

I just went through a set of tires in 3000 miles hence the rear suspension rebuild. I'd really like to prevent this from happening again.

The guy who did the alignment has never done an X5 before but he did spend a good bit of time trying to get the toe to improve while keeping the camber in spec.

What are my options? Are there toe bolts with greater eccentricity available?

Thanks in advance!

Originally Posted by SunnyDaze (Post 1110489)

The rear ball joints are brand spankin' new. The rear swing arm bushings didn't have any noticeable play.

I weighted the car down to some extent. I (coincidentally) had a few bags of mulch in the back seats along with two bags of play sand in the hatch (not coincidental). The gas tank was full as well.

I might order those eccentric strut bolts to see if improving the rear camber a bit more will bring the toe in.

Originally Posted by TiAgX5 (Post 1110511)

If the tech were to pull some of the -camber out (like 1/4 degree), this would decrease the -toe by around 1 degree.

Has the ride height been verified?

Originally Posted by bcredliner (Post 1110551)

increasing negative camber increases toe out.

If the suspension is in good working order you should be able get toe in spec when camber is in spec.

Suspension components have similar lifecycles. Unless the swing arm bushings are almost completely shot I find it hard to check them accurately unless at least one end is disconnected.

Where were tires wearing most? Inside, outside, cupped, etc.

Originally Posted by SunnyDaze (Post 1110567)

Of everything that came off, only one of the upper control arms was bad. Everything else looked to be in great shape. The car spent most of its life in Texas. It didn't see salt before 2016.

The rear tires were extremely worn on the very inside edges. The rest of the tires were still nearly new.

I talked to the guy who aligned it. He said the camber is at max adjustment. He also said the subframe isn't bent and the subframe bushings were solid.

Ugh.