"Weighted" wheel alignment

[wglee]

Apparently, BMW stipulates that a wheel alignment job must include adding a 68kg (150lbs) weight on each front seat and on the middle of the rear seat as well as a 21kg (46lbs) weight in the boot, and the fuel tank must be full, failing which the alignment readings would be inaccurate.I'm not sure whether the above applies to all BMWs but I read that it applies to the E46 (except M3) and E36.Does anyone adhere to the above? More importantly, are there any tyre shops who are able or willing to do the above? I've not seen any tyre shop with sandbags...

 

[LazyServer]

This is news to me...strange but there is some logic to it. I heard somewhere that 'ride height' has to be factored in when doing wheel balancing..beats me

 

[The Necessary]

I've only heard of the driver's side weight, which I solve by sitting in the car when they do the alignment.

As for the rest of the weights, I think it's a little bit overkill. That's like saying the car will handle significantly differently with some stuff in the boot and between full and empty. It doesn't.

 

[ALBundy]

YUp, its true. An old friend of mine who's been driving BMWs in Singapore told me thats the way its supposed to be. Not sure if PML is doing it anymore.

IT will affect the camber settings I believe. And its quite a bit of weight, 68kg * 3 plus 21kg.

 

[wglee]

There are some discussions on this in the American BMW forums. Most start off with "how come my tyre shop guy says that my car's rear wheel camber cannot be adjusted to BMW specs?" and this is seemingly even more so with cars which come with sports suspension. Apparently, if the "weighting" procedure is not followed, rear camber error can be as much as 1deg.

 

[3er]

So when you finally sit in the car, the car is weighted down and the camber goes more negative? Hey, I'll take it anytime.

 

[Ade]

So, does that mean a 325 and a 318 required weights are different when doing alignment? How bout sports suspension setup like mine (valvetronic)?

Getting me worried....what's the specs for camber anyway?

 

[wglee]

Originally posted by Ade@Apr 5 2006, 08:14 PM
So, does that mean a 325 and a 318 required weights are different when doing alignment? How bout sports suspension setup like mine (valvetronic)?

Getting me worried....what's the specs for camber anyway?

Apparently the 68/68/68/21/full tank rule applies to all E46 3 series models except for the M3 which does not require weighting.

Can't remember all the settings but if I'm not wrong the rear camber specs for E46 with sport suspension is 2deg. Tolerance, if I'm not mistaken, is +/- 15'. But don't take my word for it. Most tyre shops have the figures stored in their alignment machines' memory and if you ask nicely they might show you the figures.

 

[wglee]

Went to AB Glenmarie today, and by the by I asked them how they do alignment work on BMWs. They told me that, yes, they use the 68kg/68kg/68kg/21kg/full tank rule and showed me the weights in the form of solid steel ballasts with handles.

Interestingly, another AB guy who was there told me that AB has had new alignment equipment installed which do not require weights. I wonder if these equipment are available out there.

Anyway, if in doubt, looks like AB Glenmarie is equipped to do a proper alignment job.

Downsides? One - the price. AB quoted me approximately RM210.00 for a 4 wheel alignment job.

 

[tamade7]

Went to tyrezone today and they are using weights to do alignment

 

[san]

my 635csi e24 weight ballast is 68kg/68kg boot 14kg and 3/4 tank fuel
all new alingment computer should have the data.
i uses water as ballast 1kg = 1 litre of water
cheers

 

[wglee]

Went to tyrezone today and they are using weights to do alignment

Where is tyrezone and what's their tel. no? Thanks.

 

[tamade7]

Where is tyrezone and what's their tel. no? Thanks.

http://www.tyrezone.com.my/v2/ if you have stock absorber and spring then you are good to go but if you have sports absorber and spring they tend to offer you all kinds of gadgets e.g. camber plates/rods which i think is not necessary. Try them and post your experience here.

 

[MRsamdol]

I went to tyrezone highly recommended cause they do a good job very but a bit on the high side and i have eibach and bilstein and they were selling me all sorts of stuff like adjustable rear cambers and such just say no! I did buy powerflex arm bushings though meaning to change mine and since they carry it why not? I paid RM500 per pair for it i know cheaper else where but since i was rotating my tyres and doing alignment they did not charge labour.

...

 

[MRsamdol]

Tyrezone is located at Taman Megah PJ behind Secret Recipe

...

 

[tamade7]

I went to tyrezone highly recommended cause they do a good job very but a bit on the high side and i have eibach and bilstein and they were selling me all sorts of stuff like adjustable rear cambers and such just say no! I did buy powerflex arm bushings though meaning to change mine and since they carry it why not? I paid RM500 per pair for it i know cheaper else where but since i was rotating my tyres and doing alignment they did not charge labour.

...

that's exactly what they were trying to sell me, adjustable front and rear camber, superpro lower arm bush (RM680 including installation) and rotors.

 

[MRsamdol]

I check my bill again sorry to mis-inform i paid Rm 630 for mine.

Sorry for the slip.

I think they are a good tyreshop very nice and clean workplace. But a bit pricey. But they give free nitrogen... if thats worth anything.

...

 

[bibendum]

As for the added weight to wheel alignment... yes, the alignment machine says that we need to add the weights...as when weight is added, the camber will change.

Come to think of it. How many of you guys always have FULL load in your car? That is what I always ask my customer. I believe that it should be tuned to one's usual load & driving habits.

 

[wglee]

Bibendum, besides camber, will toe-in/toe-out differ under load?

 

[bibendum]

I suppose not.. I believe is just camber..