Quick Alignment question

[E30_fiend]

I replaced my whole front end last night along with coils. My car has the OE E30 M3 solid offset CABs and the offset upper strut mounts.

What exactly was done:

New Lemforder control arms

New Lemforder complete tie rods assemblies

OE solid Offset CABs

Here's what Im wondering. Since basically my front end is that of an M3 suspension wise, should I have them run my car on the alignment machine as an M3 or as my year and model? I have a feeling they will try to correct the negative camber because its not the stock spec as well as try to correct the increased caster. I just dont want them charging me and telling me they cant correct it.

So I need that question answered as well as I need some stock e30 M3 alignment specs.

Caster?

Camber?

Toe?

thanks in advance. I am getting this done today and need to know this ASAP





Taylor

[jlevie]

Neither caster nor camber is adjustable unless you have camber plates. If the car has more than 1.5deg of camber, set toe to be close to zero (say 1/16" total toe) or zero to reduce the rate of wear of the front ties. If camber is less than 1.5deg, use normal E30 toe.

[E30_fiend]

Neither caster nor camber is adjustable unless you have camber plates. If the car has more than 1.5deg of camber, set toe to be close to zero (say 1/16" total toe) or zero to reduce the rate of wear of the front ties. If camber is less than 1.5deg, use normal E30 toe.

well the car is lowered and its got the e30 m3 upper bearings so the camber should be more negative than 1.5deg. So I guess I should tell them to set the toe close to 1/16?

thanks Jim




Taylor

[Stephen]

id definately go zero or close to it, save your tires some. all the guys i know running lots of camber swear by it.

[whiltebeitel]

Running 2-3.5 degrees negative camber (street or track settings), I like 0 toe or 1/16th inch toe out.

[TrentW]

I'm having mine aligned tomorrow also--and to M3 specs. I'm running H&R/Bilstein Sports and M3 offset CAB's. They recommended doing a four wheel alignment and said they can adjust toe on the rears, which will help when I do track it occasionally. He said to bring the specs with me when I bring the car in. Any advice here is appreciated.

[Wh33lhop]

I'm having mine aligned tomorrow also--and to M3 specs. I'm running H&R/Bilstein Sports and M3 offset CAB's. They recommended doing a four wheel alignment and said they can adjust toe on the rears, which will help when I do track it occasionally. He said to bring the specs with me when I bring the car in. Any advice here is appreciated.

They CANNOT adjust toe in the rears unless you have adjusters already installed, they weld in adjusters, or possibly use bearing wedges (whose technical name escapes me at the moment). The only reason to set up the rear for an alignment is to get the thrust angle to center the steering wheel correctly. If you do not have adjusters in the rear, do NOT pay for a 4-wheel alignment. They're taking you for a ride.

[StereoInstaller1]

I'm having mine aligned tomorrow also--and to M3 specs. I'm running H&R/Bilstein Sports and M3 offset CAB's. They recommended doing a four wheel alignment and said they can adjust toe on the rears, which will help when I do track it occasionally. He said to bring the specs with me when I bring the car in. Any advice here is appreciated.

As said above, if you haven't made the rear adjustable, they are lying. Find a different shop.

[TrentW]

That's what I thought, cause when he asked if I wanted four wheel alignment I said I thought there was no adjustment unless I had adjustable TA bushings. That's when he said he could adjust the toe slightly to keep the back from coming around on me if I track it once in awhile.

Thanks gentlemen.