[Posull78]

I have a 2014 335i sport line with adaptive M suspension (square setup). Purchased some Pilot Sport 4S tires at America's Tires about 3 weeks ago and had them installed. The car has been pulling to the right ever since.

Thought I might need an alignment so I had that done at a different place last week and that hasn't helped.

When I picked up the car originally, the guy at America's Tires did mention that they had a hard time with some of the lugs because of rust. I hope they didn't mess something up trying to get the wheels off.

I'm taking it back tomorrow so they can inspect the wheels, tires... etc. The car pulls the most when in sport mode and the least in eco. Don't know if that means anything.

Any ideas on what could be causing this? Anything I should ask the tire guys tomorrow? Thanks!

[jmg]

They had a hard time with the lugs because of the rust? Does that mean they couldn't get them out because they were stuck?

What was their solution then? Often, hitting a rusty lug will help loosen it, but if they aren't careful they could have cracked the lug or worse your wheel. Have them remove the lugs, inspect for cracks, and also GET NEW LUGS. You don't want to end up with a damaged wheel the next time they get stuck. You also don't want to drive around with a broken lug, which could lead to the wheel not seating evenly and premature tire wear or worse a blow out or major damage to your wheel and suspension components.

[Posull78]

Thanks for your reply! The guys who did the alignment also swapped both front wheels. Wouldn’t that rule out the front wheels or tires? Maybe the pull is caused by one the rear wheels being cracked? I’ll do just as you suggested, carefully inspect all wheels for cracks.

They swapped out the old lugs with some new ones. Not sure how they removed the old ones.

[RGM330i]

If you have found nothing else so far..........one thought (a bit obtuse perhaps) is that one of the tires is mounted incorrectly as a Uni directional (backwards-rotation opposite of what it should be). I had this done years ago on a car and it was amazing what that mistake can do.....just a thought (as obtuse as it might be).

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by Posull78

Thanks for your reply! The guys who did the alignment also swapped both front wheels. Wouldn’t that rule out the front wheels or tires? Maybe the pull is caused by one the rear wheels being cracked? I’ll do just as you suggested, carefully inspect all wheels for cracks.

They swapped out the old lugs with some new ones. Not sure how they removed the old ones.

Do you mean they swapped wheels side to side? To see if the pull changed, possibly to the opposite direction? It would be my first check, to see if it is the tires. If that is what they did, and it made little or no difference, you really need another pair of wheels to check if it is still the new tires.

If an alignment made no difference after the new tires were fitted, it does suggest it is the tires. If all was fine before new tires, it is possible that the car had bedded to the original tires as they wore, running true, new tires are showing up a problem with the whole 4-wheel geometry.

Cracked wheels shouldn't influence geometry, vibrations yes, but not influence geo' calibrations.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by RGM330i

If you have found nothing else so far..........one thought (a bit obtuse perhaps) is that one of the tires is mounted incorrectly as a Uni directional (backwards-rotation opposite of what it should be). I had this done years ago on a car and it was amazing what that mistake can do.....just a thought (as obtuse as it might be).

Agree, should be an obvious check by the shop, as there are ongoing issues.

Even asymmetric designs (like the Michelins) if not mounted correctly (Outside, out) could cause a pull.

[gdgraph]

Only thing I can think of is alignment or tire mounting (if the tires are unidirectional all seasons, maybe a wrong facing tread may cause issues, but I'd imagine more so in the rain/snow). When you did the alignment did you do front and rear?

[cfm56d7b]

I suggest to start at milestone zero: remove and inspect all wheels, lug nuts, inspect for cracks and damaged lug nuts, and RoadForce balance all wheels prior to mounting.

It's best to repeat the installation process and ensure there are no surprises (for safety reasons as well).

Keep us updated!

[MmmmmM2]

My suggestion would have been that the minute you noticed it was pulling, to take it right back to the shop. I still think that is your best bet.

[Posull78]

Appreciate all the responses. Took it back to America’s Tires for an inspection. They told me it would take over an hour to complete but got a text msg less than 20 minutes later telling me they were done... hmmm. I did ask them to swap the wheels as well ( back to front, front to back).

The guy proceeds to tell me they didn’t find anything unusual and suggests that I take my car to this other place that does alignments.

But guess what, the pull is gone! Ok maybe it’s still there just a little. Minor enough that it could have been there already and didn’t notice on the old tires.

So I don’t know if 1) they found something obvious and resolve it without telling me; 2) the wheel swap fixed the issue because I have an issue with one of my wheels; 3) something else?

Either way, quite happy to be driving somewhat straight again

[upsidedownfunnel]

How strong is the pull and what direction is it? If it's a light pull to the right, it might just be normal road conditions as a lot of roads tend to pull a straight car to the right. We tend to notice small issues with our car after we get it back from the mechanic although they were there the whole time.

Also, your old tires might have worn in a way that compensated for an issue in your suspension. But if your alignment was done properly, I don't see that as being an issue.

Also, you should have received alignment values from the alignment shop. Since our cars can only adjust toe in the front, it's possible that something is out of alignment on your front wheels that the alignment shop can't fix. It's worth looking at the printout to see what that might be.

[cfm56d7b]

Originally Posted by Posull78

Appreciate all the responses. Took it back to America’s Tires for an inspection. They told me it would take over an hour to complete but got a text msg less than 20 minutes later telling me they were done... hmmm. I did ask them to swap the wheels as well ( back to front, front to back).

The guy proceeds to tell me they didn’t find anything unusual and suggests that I take my car to this other place that does alignments.

But guess what, the pull is gone! Ok maybe it’s still there just a little. Minor enough that it could have been there already and didn’t notice on the old tires.

So I don’t know if 1) they found something obvious and resolve it without telling me; 2) the wheel swap fixed the issue because I have an issue with one of my wheels; 3) something else?


Either way, quite happy to be driving somewhat straight again

Glad to learn that all is well. My initial reaction is perhaps when wheels were swapped, the lug nuts were re-torqued this time to proper specifications. Many shops still use an impact wrench when a proper torque wrench should be used instead.

[Posull78]

The pull is back 🙁
What tire pressure do you recommend on a set of Pilot 4S tires? The recommended 32/38 on the door? Thanks

[ndx6spd]

I put on 4S's on my 335i x w/ adaptive suspension, and my car began to pull to the right as well. More evident under heavier acceleration. Wasn't too bad, but it's at the dealership now, getting a 4 wheel alignment done while it's there for maintenance.


Will report how it drives after the alignment. I do run the recommended 32/38 set up.

[Posull78]

Interesting. I hope it’s not the suspension.
Already had an alignment done although it wasn’t at the dealership. Dealership charges $300 for an alignment in the Bay Area 🤯

Did you notice the pulling right after you installed the 4S’s?

Please let me know if the alignment resolves the issue.

Originally Posted by ndx6spd

I put on 4S's on my 335i x w/ adaptive suspension, and my car began to pull to the right as well. More evident under heavier acceleration. Wasn't too bad, but it's at the dealership now, getting a 4 wheel alignment done while it's there for maintenance.


Will report how it drives after the alignment. I do run the recommended 32/38 set up.

[ndx6spd]

No, not right away. It is more pronounced now, after a couple of thousand miles. Roads are shitty here, so I hope alignment is all I need. They're charging $200 because they're including "a pothole special"... I think they had a $150 option, but whatever.

I pick up the car tomorrow.

[Posull78]

Originally Posted by ndx6spd

No, not right away. It is more pronounced now, after a couple of thousand miles. Roads are shitty here, so I hope alignment is all I need. They're charging $200 because they're including "a pothole special"... I think they had a $150 option, but whatever.

I pick up the car tomorrow.

Did the alignment resolve the issue?

[ndx6spd]

Oh, sorry, Posull78, the dealership ended up keeping my car because they decided to replace the door lock actuator.

I'm still driving the loaner. I'll be sure to let you know when I get it back.

[ndx6spd]

Picked up my car today. Just drove to work in the rain, top speed 55ish. No noticeable pulling, even under heavier acceleration. I'll update if the pull comes back.

[Michael Schott]

Originally Posted by ndx6spd

Picked up my car today. Just drove to work in the rain, top speed 55ish. No noticeable pulling, even under heavier acceleration. I'll update if the pull comes back.

What did the dealer do to the tires, wheels or suspension this time?

[bqik]

tires!

had the same problem.

changed all the tires and problem gone.

[ndx6spd]

Originally Posted by Michael Schott

What did the dealer do to the tires, wheels or suspension this time?

They rebalanced and rotated wheels/tires and 4 wheel alignment.