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      03-29-2017, 06:09 PM   #1
doug_999
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Alignment

Car goes in Friday for the 1,200 mile service. It has a "slight" pull to the right. I'm trying to decide if I should even bring it up. Over the years I've had so so experiences with alignments (sometimes making a minor thing worse). What would you do? I notice it primarily over 40mph.
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      03-29-2017, 06:19 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by doug_999 View Post
Car goes in Friday for the 1,200 mile service. It has a "slight" pull to the right. I'm trying to decide if I should even bring it up. Over the years I've had so so experiences with alignments (sometimes making a minor thing worse). What would you do? I notice it primarily over 40mph.
I would have them put it on the rack and see if it is out of spec, if it is I would have them adjust it, if not I would have them leave it alone. Better to at least have it checked while they will do it for free and before it does any wear to the front tires if its out of spec. There are a couple who have had them do alignments early on and from what I recall all have been happy. BMW uses weight bags to simulate a loaded car for their adjustments so they the alignments turn out pretty solid.
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      03-29-2017, 06:39 PM   #3
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Check your tire pressure. If that's good all around I'd have them check why it's pulling being it's so new and assuming you haven't gone over any pot holes etc. I've had more alignment issues with indy shops than the actual dealership, that's been my experience at least.
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      03-29-2017, 07:56 PM   #4
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I noticed the pull when I picked up the car and still notice it with the snows on. I'm told by the dealer that it can't be "checked" - has to be loosened up and put on the rack. True?
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      03-30-2017, 12:25 AM   #5
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Maybe it has to do with the break-in process, as I remember, you where adamant to do the standard break-in process and rather suggested following this: http://mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm as you mentioned in some other thread (http://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1343178).

I followed the standard break-in process and have never had some kind of pull either left or right. I'd ask them to check the differential.
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      03-30-2017, 12:29 AM   #6
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Maybe it has to do with the break-in process, as I remember, you where adamant to do the standard break-in process and rather suggested following this: http://mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm as you mentioned in some other thread.
Yes! Break the car in wrong and it will forever pull! Well pull harder in terms of power .

Ps, let's put our cars on the dyno? Put your money where your mouth is.
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      03-30-2017, 12:37 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by doug_999 View Post
Yes! Break the car in wrong and it will forever pull! Well pull harder in terms of power .

Ps, let's put our cars on the dyno? Put your money where your mouth is.
You know the diff needs to be broken in? I'm not talking about power, I'm talking about the diff and as you know it uses a different oil before 2000km/1200miles. It could be a reason, look into it. No need to be passive-aggressive.
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      03-30-2017, 12:48 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by zmo View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by doug_999 View Post
Yes! Break the car in wrong and it will forever pull! Well pull harder in terms of power .

Ps, let's put our cars on the dyno? Put your money where your mouth is.
You know the diff needs to be broken in? I'm not talking about power, I'm talking about the diff and as you know it uses a different oil before 2000km/1200miles. It could be a reason, look into it. No need to be passive-aggressive.
Really? You think the diff is causing the car to pull to the right? That's the coolest thing I have ever heard.

You might have asked if happens under power or when coasting or if it started when I left the dealer or later on.

But to tie this to how thy car is broken in, that's just outstanding. Made my night.
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      03-30-2017, 12:56 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by doug_999 View Post
Really? You think the diff is causing the car to pull to the right? That's the coolest thing I have ever heard.

You might have asked if happens under power or when coasting or if it started when I left the dealer or later on.

But to tie this to how thy car is broken in, that's just outstanding. Made my night.
Nah, it's just your karma .
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      03-30-2017, 02:08 AM   #10
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Also mind the road where you notice this phenomenon. Some roads are deliberately constructed with a very subtle inclination in order to better canalize rain. This may cause the impression that a perfectly aligned car is very slightly out of spec (while it's merely the road). No joke.
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      03-31-2017, 09:49 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Artemis View Post
Also mind the road where you notice this phenomenon. Some roads are deliberately constructed with a very subtle inclination in order to better canalize rain. This may cause the impression that a perfectly aligned car is very slightly out of spec (while it's merely the road). No joke.
This.

Also, not sure how true it is but I've been told that manufacturers try to counter this by purposely "misaligning" which, if you're on a perfectly flat road will itself cause some pull.
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      04-01-2017, 01:18 AM   #12
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FYI
Appears I'm not alone
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=962374

Dealer said today the only way to "check it" was to align it. To me, not worth the risk, so I passed on it.

As noted in the above thread, almost more of a drift than a pull). Left lane (with angle to left) car is straight. Middle (crown of road), is drift to right, and right is almost a pull.
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      04-04-2017, 03:24 PM   #13
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I got a courtesy/free one time alignment at my 1200 mile service since my wheel was crooked. If your dealer is decent they can get this pushed through for you.

If you think the wheel is crooked or the car is pulling/drifting you probably need an alignment.

I don't know about you but if I buy a 50K+ sports car I'm not going to try and save $150 bucks and drive it around with a crooked alignment.

Last edited by CosmosMpower; 04-05-2017 at 12:42 PM..
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      04-04-2017, 03:37 PM   #14
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I had an alignment done at the end of my coilover install and mine tracks straight as an arrow. Just saying good alignments happen.
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      07-10-2017, 08:24 AM   #15
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Hey guys my car has 1100km and the steering wheel has been slightly off center since delivery when it had 26km. I think the actual alignment is fine just the wheel is a bit off center. I'm very sensitive to these things and it really annoys me. Should I have them take a look or do I risk a worse problem or damaged or scratched steering wheel?
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      07-10-2017, 03:17 PM   #16
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If I were you I'd take it to the dealership. If you're really worried about the steering wheel getting scratched, unlike a scratch in paint, they can easily replace the steering wheel. Don't have to worry about color matching etc
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