[buckybadger]

I just got my car aligned from the dealership.


The car feels loose and there is more vagueness in the steering response post alignment . It just feels less tight compared to before, however it tracks straight. All tire pressures look fine.

One thing is that the dealership finished the alignment within 2 hours. Is this normal? What are the possible reasons for my car's vague feeling since alignment?

I will try to post a before vs. after snapshot later today.

Thanks!

[MmmmmM2]

Are your tires old or new?

[buckybadger]

Originally Posted by F30ZHP

Are your tires old or new?

Not that old

[exE36M3]

What are your alignment numbers?

Alignment is sort of an art form.
And just because a tech's be trained on alignment, doesn't mean they are very good at it.

Generally BMWs like a little toe in in the front and back. So if you look from the top of the car down, the tires look like this... / \ . If it's too loose or vague, I *think* it might be because there isn't enough toe-in so the tires look like this | |.

[buckybadger]

Originally Posted by percychow

What are your alignment numbers?

Alignment is sort of an art form.
And just because a tech's be trained on alignment, doesn't mean they are very good at it.

Generally BMWs like a little toe in in the front and back. So if you look from the top of the car down, the tires look like this... / \ . If it's too loose or vague, I *think* it might be because there isn't enough toe-in so the tires look like this | |.

Here you go..

[buckybadger]

Here's another spec from a different dealership done last year in August.

This spec gave a much tighter feel.

[exE36M3]

Hmmm... found this thread. I assume you are working on your M2?
On my old M3, toe numbers needed to match both sides (to the tenth) or else the steering would feel vague. Comparing your old alignment specs to these below, that little .01 and .02 difference is what you are feeling.

https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1350367

[agentorange]

The only thing I see is less overall toe in the latest figures. As you get nearer parallel steering feel often goes vague.

I did notice that when you took the car in it had too much rear camber on one side. Ours was the same and was very twitchy until I got it realigned at a top notch local shop.

[buckybadger]

Originally Posted by percychow

Hmmm... found this thread. I assume you are working on your M2?
On my old M3, toe numbers needed to match both sides (to the tenth) or else the steering would feel vague. Comparing your old alignment specs to these below, that little .01 and .02 difference is what you are feeling.

https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1350367

Thanks for the info! I have an M2C too but I got only my 335i aligned.

[buckybadger]

Originally Posted by agentorange

The only thing I see is less overall toe in the latest figures. As you get nearer parallel steering feel often goes vague.

I did notice that when you took the car in it had too much rear camber on one side. Ours was the same and was very twitchy until I got it realigned at a top notch local shop.

Thanks! Yeah I need to take it back and get all this adjusted. The car actually drives worse that pre-alignment. On highway, the steering is way light now and on center has become vague.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by buckybadger

Thanks! Yeah I need to take it back and get all this adjusted. The car actually drives worse that pre-alignment. On highway, the steering is way light now and on center has become vague.

I'm with the front toe setting as well. It's about half the target value. Explains both lightness and vague on-center feeling.