Steering Wheel Alignment question

jrsniper12453 · 10-25-2012, 08:33 PM

Hey guys, my 335i with active steering is tracking straight, not pulling left or right, but the wheel is noticeable turned left when the car is going straight. Is this an alignment issue, or indicative of something more serious?

Also, can only BMW dealerships do alignments accurately on cars with active steering?

Thanks

talisman311 · 10-25-2012, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrsniper12453

Hey guys, my 335i with active steering is tracking straight, not pulling left or right, but the wheel is noticeable turned left when the car is going straight. Is this an alignment issue, or indicative of something more serious?

Also, can only BMW dealerships do alignments accurately on cars with active steering?

Thanks

Steering wheel wasn't centered on the last alignment is my guess. Not really an issue, probably a lazy tech or someone who doesn't know better.

DanielGonz · 10-25-2012, 10:09 PM

Simple fix. Take it to any alignment shop. Regardless of what people of this forum make our cars out to be, they're not anything special. Any decent alignment shop should be able to handle it.

TheTal0n · 10-25-2012, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanielGonz

Simple fix. Take it to any alignment shop. Regardless of what people of this forum make our cars out to be, they're not anything special. Any decent alignment shop should be able to handle it.

+1, I called around. Found a shop with the newest alignment machine. Only $75, but the gas tanked needed to be filled before i got it done. Fixed me right up

VTECaddict · 10-26-2012, 03:47 AM

YMMV with active steering and an indy shop. They might get it right, but they probably wont.

CJ421 · 10-26-2012, 08:07 AM

Sounds like the steering wheel wasn't centered. Annoying without a doubt. When did you notice this issue?

I suggest a BMW dealer or reputed indy shop familiar with BMWs for the job. Not pep boys etc.

jrsniper12453 · 10-29-2012, 10:20 PM

Thanks for replies. I have no idea why I didn't mention this but I *think* I first noticed it driving back from the body shop. It annoys me enough now that I probably would have been bothered by it before now if it had always been like this (last alignment was years ago). It was in the shop having the right door replaced from just scratching along a parking pole, so no reason to think there was any damage to frame or suspension. Is there any reason to think they somehow offset the wheel?

10-25-2012, 08:33 PM	#1
jrsniper12453 Second Lieutenant 13 Rep 229 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Las Vegas/LA iTrader: (0)	Steering Wheel Alignment question Hey guys, my 335i with active steering is tracking straight, not pulling left or right, but the wheel is noticeable turned left when the car is going straight. Is this an alignment issue, or indicative of something more serious? Also, can only BMW dealerships do alignments accurately on cars with active steering? Thanks __________________ 2007 335i, Space Gray, Black/Alum, Sports, Prem, CA, Navi, iPod
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10-25-2012, 10:09 PM	#3
DanielGonz Lieutenant 19 Rep 564 Posts Drives: AW E92 335i 6 speed Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: SoCal (OC) iTrader: (0)	Simple fix. Take it to any alignment shop. Regardless of what people of this forum make our cars out to be, they're not anything special. Any decent alignment shop should be able to handle it.
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10-26-2012, 03:47 AM	#5
VTECaddict Where'd my VTEC go? 481 Rep 6,067 Posts Drives: 06 330i 6MT Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (4)	YMMV with active steering and an indy shop. They might get it right, but they probably wont. __________________ AW/Terra \| ZSP \| ZPP \| ZCW \| iDrive \| CA Mods: BC BR coilovers \| Blacklines \| M-tech rear \| dual exhaust \| M3 steering wheel \| BMW SSK \| ZHP shift knob \| High-kick CF spoiler \| NBT Retrofit M3 front control arms \| M3 rear guide rods \| Manzo rear toe and camber links \| Monroe rear shock mounts \| Varrstoen ES1 19x9.5+20 Front, 19x11+25 rear
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10-26-2012, 08:07 AM	#6
CJ421 Brigadier General 1567 Rep 4,110 Posts Drives: BMW M3 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Blue Bell, PA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2024 BMW M3 Sedan [9.50]	Sounds like the steering wheel wasn't centered. Annoying without a doubt. When did you notice this issue? I suggest a BMW dealer or reputed indy shop familiar with BMWs for the job. Not pep boys etc. __________________ 2024 BMW M3 Sedan Frozen Pure Grey II/Fjord Blue, 6MT Past: 2021 Z4 M40i Frozen Grey II/Black Alcantara \| 2017 F30 340i Mineral Gray/Coral Red, 6MT \| 2011 E92 335i Le Mans Blue/Black, 6MT
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10-29-2012, 10:20 PM	#7
jrsniper12453 Second Lieutenant 13 Rep 229 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Las Vegas/LA iTrader: (0)	Thanks for replies. I have no idea why I didn't mention this but I think I first noticed it driving back from the body shop. It annoys me enough now that I probably would have been bothered by it before now if it had always been like this (last alignment was years ago). It was in the shop having the right door replaced from just scratching along a parking pole, so no reason to think there was any damage to frame or suspension. Is there any reason to think they somehow offset the wheel? __________________ 2007 335i, Space Gray, Black/Alum, Sports, Prem, CA, Navi, iPod
	Appreciate 0 Quote