Castor Angle @ Alignment Shop

[BL92]

Hi All

I needed an alignment after raising the car back to stock height and new shocks,

I assume from the report, the shop missed the castor angle alignment?

Just need more info, before making another booking

[PSUEng]

It's not adjustable if the car is stock. Others may know of hardware changes that can get you that adjustability, but I'm not familiar with that. I'd say if it is "out", could be some suspension components are out of spec (bent) or something.

[jayjaya29]

Not adjustable unless you have fully adjustable camber plates.

[BL92]

Thanks for helping me out

DataBank calls for 7.4 degrees and mines circa 6.4?

Should i replace the front control arms ?

[Slideways]

Thanks for helping me out

DataBank calls for 7.4 degrees and mines circa 6.4?

Should i replace the front control arms ?

Are there any modifications to the suspension?

[Tbonem3]

7.4 sounds a little high for stock, 6.4 sounds about right.

I wouldn't suspect the front arms, they don't bend (alloy) and the balljoint should be fine for 200k. Sloppy FCABs could use a replacement.

[heinzboehmer]

7.4 (+- 0.5) deg is what TIS calls for.

BL92 are your top mounts clocked correctly? There's an arrow on them that should be pointing to the front of the car (assuming they're the stock parts).

[BL92]

Thanks again everyone

Yes, all stock, i reused the top mount, replaced upper and lower pads and yellow bearing insert

Upon reinstallation, from memory, the top mount would only go in 1 way, as there is a locating pin and locating hole in the strut tower

[Tbonem3]

That's true, but you could still have them swapped side to side. They should have an L and an R on them iirc. Remove those little pins for more negative camber, then get alignment.

[D-O]

7.4 (+- 0.5) deg is what TIS calls for.

BL92 are your top mounts clocked correctly? There's an arrow on them that should be pointing to the front of the car (assuming they're the stock parts).

Right. 6.9 is as close as mine will come with Vorshlag plates. It was about the same with fresh OEM top hats.

[Shonky]

Being pedantic 7°40' is not 7.4 degrees. It's 7.66 degrees.

[BL92]

Just checked, mine is a RHD drive car so R is on Drivers and L is on Passenger

maybe i need new top hats ?

[heinzboehmer]

The smaller range of wheel lock is 7.4 deg

[bigjae46]

Did they ballast the cars? The BMW alignment specs I believe account for 180s lbs in both front seats which would change the alignment. Also, when was the last time the shop calibrated the laser heads? Was the lift level? Tires at hot PSI?

What I'm saying is I wouldn't worry about it. It is not off enough to make much of a difference. Most important is toe is within spec.