sam255 Posted November 8, 2023 Share Posted November 8, 2023 On BMW's if the caster is out of alignment, I have been told it can't be adjusted. So what parts would need changing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve84N Posted November 8, 2023 Share Posted November 8, 2023 Nothing usually, when you adjust camber and toe it has a knock on effect on caster. Can you post up the before and after readings? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Posted November 8, 2023 Share Posted November 8, 2023 The relationship of the front shock to top mount controls the camber on these cars. The top strut mounts to the inner wing via slotted holes. It would be possible to adjust but it would be a right royal pain the sit down bits to do as you would need to take the strut out to adjust it in a set of spring compressors. In this post, I explain how to build the strut to make sure the alignment is maintained correctly. If the rubber in the centre of the top mount is worn, that may affect the alignment. The only thing that is adjustable on the front end is the tracking (track rod ends). All the arms are effectively fixed in place with no adjustment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve84N Posted November 8, 2023 Share Posted November 8, 2023 In the repair manual it says to rotate the top mount clockwise before tightening the top mount bolts. It doesn't differentiate between left & right so clearly not that crucial. I have made some adjustment to my camber by fitting wishbone arms that have a sliding plate where the ball joint is. Added about another 0.5 degree of negative camber. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sam255 Posted November 8, 2023 Author Share Posted November 8, 2023 10 hours ago, Steve84N said: Nothing usually, when you adjust camber and toe it has a knock on effect on caster. Can you post up the before and after readings? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve84N Posted November 8, 2023 Share Posted November 8, 2023 Nevermind the caster, that right rear toe is awful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sam255 Posted November 9, 2023 Author Share Posted November 9, 2023 1 hour ago, Steve84N said: Nevermind the caster, that right rear toe is awful. What would need to be done to sort it out ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve84N Posted November 9, 2023 Share Posted November 9, 2023 Undo the bolt on the relevant rear control arm and adjust it. They haven't touched the rear and I'm surprised they didn't mention it to you. Only caveat is the bolt might be seized but they should still have told you as much if that's the case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmwmike Posted November 9, 2023 Share Posted November 9, 2023 (edited) That tracking sheet shows F30 as the target geometry so is presumably not an f10. Edited November 9, 2023 by bmwmike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Posted November 9, 2023 Share Posted November 9, 2023 4 minutes ago, bmwmike said: That tracking sheet shows F30 as the target geometry so is presumably not an f10. What he said He’s comparing apples with bananas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve84N Posted November 9, 2023 Share Posted November 9, 2023 The reg is for an F30, so either wrong forum or the garage had the wrong car loaded up in the system. Either way the right rear toe is way out. Should be slightly toed in and matched across the axle. Around 0.05 to 0.10 per side. That's dragging the tyre sideways down the road and wearing out the inner edge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4aceman Posted November 9, 2023 Share Posted November 9, 2023 If caster is even on both sides, it’s really not a big deal Only effect more caster would have is stronger steering wheel self centring. Tire wear and grip should be the same. In fact more caster gives you more camber in turns, so more grip over the front axle in corners. Lots of M-cars had special parts put in to add caster to the same chassis as the non-m version. Usually offset control arm bushes & strut mounts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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