Rear Camber Alignment Impossible

[m3f_AlpineM345]

Hi all.


I have a 98 E36 M3, and I just got an alignment from a reputable shop. The guy at the shop got everything I wanted except the rear cambers. It has a BC coilover kit with about 1.5" drop in the front, and 1" drop in the rear.


This is what I asked for below (all the measurements are in degrees):

F. camber: -2.5 each side

F. toe: 0.05 (toe in) each side


R. camber: -2.0 each side

R. toe: 0.1 (toe in) each side


The final spec is

F. camber: -2.54(L) -2.51(R)

F. toe: 0.06(L) 0.05(R)


R. camber: -1.22(L) -2.63(R)

R. toe: 0.14(L) 0.14(R)


Obviously everything looks good except rear cambers. He showed me what he did, and it looks like left was maxed out for negative camber and -2.63 was the lowest negative camber he could do for the right. Basically he couldn't get any more negative camber than -1.22 for left side and couldn't get the right side to go any less than -2.63. We looked around and the control arms did not look bend at all.


He suggested that I should get adjustable rear lower control arms, but I feel like there is something else wrong with the rear. I thought maybe subframe could be shifted, but I doubt that is the case; all the bushings look pretty decent (no cracks, no rips, and etc.). I am not sure if I have ever heard of bent E36 rear trailing arm either.


Anyone has any ideas?

[m3f_englishtom1596q]

the lower control arms are designed to bend under impact so yes one could be bent. Has the car ever been hit? have you tapped any curbs? I'd just get adjustable lower control arms just for the ease of adjustability in the future and hopefully it fixes your issue

[m3f_AlpineM345]

I jacked it up again and looked at it.. I think the guy at the shop and I were thinking the other way around... Check the pictures...


Left side:




Right side:




I wonder why it's -1.22 for left side and -2.63 for right side... Ugh! I have to drive another 100 miles to get this thing fixed.. I wonder why it did not make sense at the shop...

[m3f_TheJDub-E36]

+1 for looking at the control arms, my 98 had a light bend that was causing issues.


98 M3/4/5

[m3f_englishtom1596q]

neither of those camber bolts look to be in a maxed out position. I'd still do adjustable control arms because then you eliminate those crappy bolts. I bought megan racing ones for $180 and they're great.

[m3f_AlpineM345]

It is hard to tell in the pictures, but they are maxed out in wrong positions (we were thinking the other way around for the camber adjustment..). Hence the camber specs are messed up.


If you look at the right rear picture, camber is maxed out.

[m3f_jayjaya29]

Just get SPC adjustable camber arms or live with -1.2 in the rear.


The salad tongs are super flexy and even a minute hit can throw the adjustment ranges well off (which is the point of the split design).

[m3f_Richardsperry]

Something I've learned over the years.



You must loosen the NUT on the camber adjuster, not the bolt. If you try to turn the bolt, you will screw it up.

[m3f_EricSMG]

You don't need new parts, you just need to get another alignment.



Right is maxed out, left is nowhere near.



Done.

[m3f_Richardsperry]

You don't need new parts, you just need to get another alignment.



Right is maxed out, left is nowhere near.



Done.

It looks like it's in the middle, but if some idiot put an impact gun on the bolt, it's impossible to adjust the camber. Who knows without seeing it in person... Sorry.

[m3f_AlpineM345]

I got it aligned back at the same shop again. The guy at the shop told me that his head must have not been working yesterday. He got the rear camber and toe dialed in less than 20 minutes. Everything is good. I guess people make mistakes.

[m3f_jayjaya29]

Great!