Would bad tierod balljoints cause an inability to hold toe settings?
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As time went on, the factory developed the car each year, making it faster, more comfortable, and capable of handling at higher speeds.
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I was actually wondering the same. I'm guessing yes, as my tie rod ends and what not are inoperable and can't be adjusted. Right now my toe is very out of spec and i'm guessing that's why. So i'm going to probably order some new tie rods and ends shortly. Any one with any experience aligning a e30, it'd be great if you chimed in as this was my first time attempting to get the car aligned.Originally posted by madjurgen View Post
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It seems logical that it would effect the toe settings if you have bad ball joints. However, I have no first hand knowledge one way or the other about this, but would be interested in hearing if they do/don't...Comment
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Bad tie rods would mean that toe can vary over some range.The car makes it possible, but the driver makes it happen.
Jim Levie, Huntsville, ALComment
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I just went and had the e30 aligned and they said they couldn't do anything with it, b/c the tie rod ends where stuck and wouldn't move. So I guess part of the reason why alignment is so whacked out.Originally posted by jlevie View PostComment
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Any more insight?Comment
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Cool, i'm just not very familiar with the e30's suspension components. Thanks again.Originally posted by atomic View PostSeems logical that if they can not adjust the ones you have because they are stuck then you need to get two new inner/outer assemblies so they can get a correct adjustment on them...
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Yes. If you have play in your tie rod(s), there will be excess toe out caused by the slop in the joint and the force of the road pushing your front tires away from eachother. (when driving straight).
The bottom line is that if you have play you should replace them.
Frozen tie rods are a bitch. E36s are just about the worst example of this and i regularly replace the inner and outer assemblies to save the customer labor in trying to break them loose. Plus on higher mileage/older cars its good PM.
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the answer is YES, it affects the tow so bad we WILL NOT align a car with bad balljoints,tie rods,pitman,or idler arm,and sometimes even bearings.
Because its like steeling from you, it wont help you just rape u of $$$ for the alignment.
BAD ball joints can also cause pulls.
The shop you took it to sucks dick, The soultion is to buy new ones.
You can replace them your self,EAZY
Our cars do not have jam nutz like newer cars, we have sleaves like older trucks.
so you need a 13 or 14mm to loose them up. then grab a wrench to move them.
Even here in phoenix we have a solution for rusted tie rods,and We have never ever told a customer we cant fix there car because of rust,BUT iM sure you have it worse then even the canadain cars we get here.
ALSO, when you go back, dont let the shop hussle you and tell you its $$$ because its a BMW, all u can do on a stock E30 is FRONT TOE. 15 mins even for the retarted aligment tech, thats including running and sweeping the heads.Last edited by xxx-Lost-Soul-xxx; 01-20-2009, 09:43 PM.
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Sweet thanks again, i'll buy inners and outers and call it a day. Then take it back and get it aligned. It's weird though, while driving the car it showed absolutely zero signs of an alignment issue. After i'd say 1000 miles, I looked at my tires and the fronts where completely bald, all the way across. Not just on the inside, outside or middle. If I had felt something I would have checked, but again ... no signs at all.Comment
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