E46 M3 BAD tramlining. Need help.

[thetypicalm3guy]

Guys…may have stumbled on something but still too early to tell. I noticed that my front rotors are “directional” and i installed them incorrectly (reveresed the airflow). Just finished swapping the rotors and went for a very hard drive with no issues yet but going to go o a couple more to verify. It is possible that there was air buildup potentially inappropriately engaging the brakepads asymetrically which could cause the vehicle to pull in a direction

[thetypicalm3guy]

This reminds me about a case of tramlining and a vicious chassis complaint on a different forum.
After the owner had replaced various suspension bits, it was eventually discovered that a tech had used e46 vanilla tie/track rods instead of the correct e46 M3 parts.
perhaps any receipts for suspension pieces could be checked for correct parts?

Have the track rods been replaced?

Tie rods were OE lemforder from FCP euro. Only 100 miles on them

[FBloggs]

Not that it couldn't be the case, but rear steer is quite a different feeling to tramlining which is almost always something on the front axle.

This reminds me about a case of tramlining and a vicious chassis complaint on a different forum.
After the owner had replaced various suspension bits, it was eventually discovered that a tech had used e46 vanilla tie/track rods instead of the correct e46 M3 parts.
perhaps any receipts for suspension pieces could be checked for correct parts?

Have the track rods been replaced?

[Thoglan]

Not that it couldn't be the case, but rear steer is quite a different feeling to tramlining which is almost always something on the front axle.

[FBloggs]

is there a way to test if these bushings are bad? If i dont find any slop in the rear wheels does that mean they are good?

I bought mine w/o pushing it during the test drive as the owner was frail.
On the drive home the engine was a peach but the chassis wandered like a puppy on a leash.
I replaced the front suspension and the RTABs.
I switched to Bilstein B12 kit but hated the Bilsteins so switched to Koni sport.
It still did not track resolutely and still was wayward in the rear despite the new RTABs.
so I disconnected the rear links and found the soft, easily manipulated camber arm bearings.
Changed 'em which stabilised the rear tracking.

[thetypicalm3guy]

At each rear hub there are 2 inner bushings (one for the upper lteral link that supports the spring and one for the lower lateral link that is the camber arm.)
There are two bearings on the outside(the hub) that the two links connect to.( pt # 33326775551)
The outer bearings wear and cause tracking and handling instability at the rear end.
The rear end will wander and be prone to follow surface camber, as well as unsettling toe change when the car is launched out of a corner (feels like the outside tire lost grip momentarily).
If they are worn, they will affect the static toe on the alignment rack.
The tech will reset the toe to spec, but the sloppy bearings will absorb the adjustment and the alignment will not be effective.

is there a way to test if these bushings are bad? If i dont find any slop in the rear wheels does that mean they are good?

[thetypicalm3guy]

As luck would have it, I am in San Diego. and I can either pull wheels off my M3 or 535d or 335d to test on your car.

Much appreciated! I PMd you.

[FBloggs]

Which bushings exactly are you referring to?

At each rear hub there are 2 inner bushings (one for the upper lteral link that supports the spring and one for the lower lateral link that is the camber arm.)
There are two bearings on the outside(the hub) that the two links connect to.( pt # 33326775551)
The outer bearings wear and cause tracking and handling instability at the rear end.
The rear end will wander and be prone to follow surface camber, as well as unsettling toe change when the car is launched out of a corner (feels like the outside tire lost grip momentarily).
If they are worn, they will affect the static toe on the alignment rack.
The tech will reset the toe to spec, but the sloppy bearings will absorb the adjustment and the alignment will not be effective.

[EthanolTurbo]

Steering rack seems fine from what i can tell. If anyone is in the san diego area and wants to drive my car or swap wheels I’d greatly appreciate it!

As luck would have it, I am in San Diego. and I can either pull wheels off my M3 or 535d or 335d to test on your car.

[thetypicalm3guy]

Did you check your steering rack?

Steering rack seems fine from what i can tell. If anyone is in the san diego area and wants to drive my car or swap wheels I’d greatly appreciate it!

[thetypicalm3guy]

The tires are 4 years old. The "problem" has caused unwanted toe changes, which resulted in tramlining, but it also causes the tires to be shoved along the surface at an angle as opposed to rolling straight.
so they have atypical wear and they are hard from age .
I think that after the correct alignment, the tires are still trying to track according to the pre alignment condition.

I don't see where you have replaced the rear outer bushings for the lateral links.
If these are worn you'll have a chassis that requires frequent, irrtating steering correction in response to wandering as it is driven down a straight road.
And avoid the cheap Febi bushings/bearings if you intend to do this maintenance.

Which bushings exactly are you referring to?

[thetypicalm3guy]

Was it tramlining before the new tires rods?

Im still going with something was incorrectly installed. Like I dealt with on my Audi, the alignment would be perfect on the rack but when driving the improperly installed trailing arms would bind up and cause tramlining. The I would put it back i=on the rack and everything looked fine.

Yes it was happening before i replaced the tierod to try to fix this issue

[M9Seth]

Did you check your steering rack?

[FBloggs]

The tires are 4 years old. The "problem" has caused unwanted toe changes, which resulted in tramlining, but it also causes the tires to be shoved along the surface at an angle as opposed to rolling straight.
so they have atypical wear and they are hard from age .
I think that after the correct alignment, the tires are still trying to track according to the pre alignment condition.

I don't see where you have replaced the rear outer bushings for the lateral links.
If these are worn you'll have a chassis that requires frequent, irrtating steering correction in response to wandering as it is driven down a straight road.
And avoid the cheap Febi bushings/bearings if you intend to do this maintenance.

[EthanolTurbo]

Well definitely still not fixed. Its a little better but its to the point where im not comfortable driving over 50mph. this is my 4th e46 m3 and none of them ever did this. I even ran 285s in the front on one of mine and never did this. Could be the tires?

Put another set of wheels and tires on. If it's still doing it after that, something is wrong with your suspension. I feel like something is wrong or adjusted wrong.