A bomoh maybe?

[Stud_Daddy]

Question # 1: My rear tire camber is so negative, you could see it with your naked eyes. Is this acceptable? I bought the car several months ago and I think the suspension was lowered by the previous owner, therefore the negative camber. The alignment shop confirms that it is within the alignment machine specs for my 318i; but do I need to ignore the specs and lessen the negative camber to compensate for the lowered suspension, or should I leave it as it is?Question # 2: I changed my front lower arm, bush, bearings, suspensions, mountings all at once and the ride feels as though its very unstable, especially after hitting a bump on one tire....as though the wheels have a mind of their own and want to lead the way....possessed? I think I have a case of Bump Steer; i.e. the front wheels toe in or toe out everytime I go over a bump. This is caused by the tie rod arc not in sync with the suspension movement arc. Apparently no alignment shop in Penang is familiar with this Bump Steer phenomenon. Sick of having the mechanics test drive for 20 minutes only to waste my time and tell me it’s normal. The ride is so uncomfortable, and sometimes dangerous when going fast because the wheels feel as if they have a mind of their own…..almost a floating feeling. I need someone in Penang with a Bump Steer gauge (yes, there is such a thing) or at least someone who knows what I’m talking about, with the right machine and professionalism to address this problem. I cannot seem to find a competent wheel/steering system professional in PENANG with the right tools who can fix my problem. Does anyone have any recommendations??

 

[fabianyee]

First and foremost, welcome to the forum

Secondly, which model are u driving?
Please:

1) update your profile.
2) intro urself in the newbies section.

 

[Stud_Daddy]

Hello,
Sorry for the oversight. I have updated my profile, and I've also introdued myself in the newbies forum.

 

[kevster30]

Sounds like you have a absorber problem as you complain about the ride quality. Worn absorbers will cause an exeggeration in the bumpsteer phenomenon that you are reffering to.

 

[Stud_Daddy]

Found the problem thanks to Chun Seng motor near Jelutong. Damn "Happy Motors" in Prai put in a bloody fake lower arm bush 2 months ago........the rubber has already given way and broken apart. I was wondering why Happy Motors only charged me RM300++ for those bushings....now I know. It cost me RM597 for the original bushings and RM80 for labor today at Chun Seng. Gonna go to Happy tomorrow and claim my RM300! I wonder why Happy lied and told me it was original, and then only charge me RM300?! kinda stupid right?

They also changed my Rear Gear Bush 3 months ago and now I feel it giving way again....that thumping sound when the gear changes from high to low when I depress the brake and slow down at traffic lights. That sound went away 3 months ago after Happy changed the rear gear bush.....now its back. Makes me think that they used a fake bushing there as well. Chun Seng however added a new twist to my troubles.......they say thay thump is not due to the rear gear bush ....but my gearbox is about to kong!!! Freaked me out.....saw my dead grandmother and all. I told them that Happy solved the same problem with a new rear gear bush just months before.....but Chun Seng said that was just a smokescren for a bigger gearbox problem on the way! Anyone here had any experiences with this thumping sound or the rear gear bush?? It sounds as if there is a heavy object in your trunk that shifts about when you slow down.....doesn't happen always though but gradually gets worse over time.

By the way....the best ever alignment/balancing shop in Penang.....and trust me I've done extensive and expensive research.......one opposite Prangin Mall Starbucks....I forget their name although I was there just today after changing my bushing at Chun Seng. I can declare here that these guys know what they are doing....and I am generally a harsh critic. They even tuned my tie rods for free. They apparently specialize in beamers and Volvos. My handling is awesome now.....so now this is what it feels like to drive a beamer...finally! ....after all these months of messing with half rated alignment shops and fake bushings!

 

[Strider]

Originally posted by Stud_Daddy@Dec 21 2005, 01:02 AM
Gonna go to Happy tomorrow and claim my RM300!

Story us then. This Happy workshop sure made customer happy for while only.

Anyway, happy driving. At last.

 

[Lee36328]

"that thumping sound when the gear changes from high to low when I depress the brake and slow down at traffic lights. "

Sorry to hear about your unhappy predicament...

The symptom above is typical of a gearbox failure, which if it is, is better sorted out sooner than later. See if a gearbox oil change helps or not.

 

[Breakpopin]

"that thumping sound when the gear changes from high to low when I depress the brake and slow down at traffic lights. "

I'm getting that thumping sound once a while too, when i slow down for traffic lights... what other parts causes this? (aside from the gbox itself).. can the longshaft be the culprit too?

 

[Lee36328]

sort out all the bush, mounts, etc.

if still thumping, see a gearbox rebuilder asap...

postponing usuall leads to more damage and added costs.... imho.

 

[Breakpopin]

Originally posted by Lee36328@Dec 21 2005, 03:51 AM
sort out all the bush, mounts, etc.

if still thumping, see a gearbox rebuilder asap...

postponing usuall leads to more damage and added costs.... imho.

Yikes!! more $$ repairs!!

 

[Stud_Daddy]

Originally posted by Lee36328@Dec 21 2005, 11:29 AM
The symptom above is typical of a gearbox failure, which if it is, is better sorted out sooner than later. See if a gearbox oil change helps or not.

Ya meh??? Dude, you're freaking me out!

But then how come when Happy Motors changed the Rear Gear Bush 4 months ago, the thumping completely went away?? When i first complained to them about this symptom, before I could even finish my sentence the uncle said that its a common problem with e46......didn't even test drive and changed the rear gear bush on the spot. Completely fine after that....until 2 or 3 weeks ago when it started to come back. Based on my experience with them with their poor quality arm bush, I'm inclined to attribute this thumping recurrance to their low quality Rear Gear Bush.

Out of curiousity, how much would it cost to overhaul my gearbox, if IT IS really a gearbox problem? I need to stock up on lubricants for when I have to sell my backside in Haadyai to pay for it.

 

[Breakpopin]

Stud,

better check if your rear gear bush is worn off.. Hopefully it is, and i hope mine is too. hahaha.. Good luck..

btw, overhauling may set you at about 5-6k.

 

[Stud_Daddy]

I just confirmed with AutoBavaria that the thumping sound from the rear when I depress the brakes (gear downshifts) is the Rear Axle Bushing a.k.a. Rear Axle Mounting a.k.a. Rear Gear Bush. Phew! Apparently a common problem with E46....especially those with lowered suspensions. Those bloody Happy Motor mechanics replaced a local bushing there as well, and that's why it gave way again after 4 months. I'm gonna go there today and stuff these local bushes up their @*&#^%$#!!

 

[Breakpopin]

Originally posted by Stud_Daddy@Dec 22 2005, 06:37 AM
I just confirmed with AutoBavaria that the thumping sound from the rear when I depress the brakes (gear downshifts) is the Rear Axle Bushing a.k.a. Rear Axle Mounting a.k.a. Rear Gear Bush. Phew!

Phew!!! Now time for me to check mine too when i get back to KL!.. good for you bro, thank god its not the gearbox!

 

[Lee36328]

Originally posted by Stud_Daddy@Dec 22 2005, 02:37 PM
I just confirmed with AutoBavaria that the thumping sound from the rear when I depress the brakes (gear downshifts) is the Rear Axle Bushing a.k.a. Rear Axle Mounting a.k.a. Rear Gear Bush. Phew! Apparently a common problem with E46....especially those with lowered suspensions. Those bloody Happy Motor mechanics replaced a local bushing there as well, and that's why it gave way again after 4 months. I'm gonna go there today and stuff these local bushes up their @*&#^%$#!!

Glad to hear it was not ur gear box.

Tip : when the workshop name sounds slightly dodgy, best to avoid... Happy for workshop, Sad for customer...

 

[Ade]

Stud Dad,

How was the thumping sound? Was it done? I have that too....apparently, a gearbox timing issue is also a culprit. Have them upgrade ur EGS software first before changing the Rear Gear Bush. How much does that thing cost?