did they mess up my alignment? Used M3 Specs for ZHP? (PICS)

[Washburn]

Well the car felt great right after getting new tires (Conti extreme DWS staggered ZHP sizes 18") , Powerflex FCABs and alignment, but after about 200 miles, now it's pulling to the right pretty bad, and the steering wheel feels nibbly/wobbly a bit, and wants to turn to right...st wheel not centered when traveling straight (leans to left).

The vibrations and shakings before getting the new tires are gone, though.

My suspension is all stock.

I noticed on the spec sheet they gave me, that the title on top (not visible in pics below) says :

BMW 3 SERIES (1999-2006) M3 : 18" WHEEL

I only have ZHP - shouldn't the specs that used be that from the SPORT pkg and not M3?

If anyone can provide me with factory stock ZHP/Sports settings that I can provide them with, that would be great...
Taking it back tomorrow to redo it - if they don't get it right, might have to take it to a stealership :(
I am surprised as they are one of the most reputed indie shops with Hunter balancing equipment.

I was also told that Caster is not adjustable on these cars

- meanwhile, here are the before and after pics: see what you think

BEFORE:
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b176/nishang/DSC_0006.jpg

AFTER:
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b176/nishang/DSC_0007.jpg

[Gordo_GT]

I have something similar. The car's handling felt bad after changing rear tires, FCAB's and getting an alignment. I will update this post once I find my alignment sheet.

[danewilson77]

I think camber is only supposed to be arounf 0.5*........

I will post the spec...

[Washburn]

Thanks - any other comments? why did they use the M3 specs? isn't that wrong?

[Gordo_GT]

Thanks - any other comments? why did they use the M3 specs? isn't that wrong?

My alignment might be wrong too but it has sport suspension with the 18" option. Here are pics for comparison but hopefully danewilson77 posts the right specs soon:

http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb328/Gordo_GT/2011-10-03_09-51-31_78.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb328/Gordo_GT/2011-10-03_09-51-42_659.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb328/Gordo_GT/2011-10-03_09-52-00_640.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb328/Gordo_GT/2011-10-03_09-52-07_698.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb328/Gordo_GT/2011-10-03_09-52-26_563.jpg

[danewilson77]

Yes...that is wrong. They should have used ZSP specs....

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Maintenance%20and%20Misc/IMG_20101201_171906.jpg

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Maintenance%20and%20Misc/IMG_20101201_204635-1.jpg

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Maintenance%20and%20Misc/IMG_20101201_204625-1.jpg

[Washburn]

Thanks guys - is there anyway i can print specs for sport/ZHP coupe specs?

so where they wrong about the non adjustable caster too?

[Gordo_GT]

They shop I went to said the same thing about the caster being non-adjustable

IDK about the spec sheet. Seems to me like it's the same as ZSP but with a negative 5 degree camber in the rear.

[danewilson77]

No....caster is NOT adjustable. Camber is minimally adjusteable, based on how far they can move the strut mounts after punching out pin. Toe is where you spend your money here....

[Washburn]

So looking at the sheet, what can cause this pull to the right i experience? i mean you can FEEL the st wheel wanting to turn right when you hold it straight/centered.

[GSEN820]

Pulling to the right can be caused by tire. My left camber was off causing the tire wear to be off (minimally). My car was aligned shop owner advised that tire was worn and would be pulling to the left a little.

Flipping my tires helped out but still has slight pull the left.

[danewilson77]

All of your after stuff looks pretty decent. Do you maybe have a seized caliper? Does it feel like that? Check tire pressure also....IDK.

Maybe rotate tires Fore > Aft

[Washburn]

So i found the spec from the Bentley Manual: can i give them this sheet and tell them to follow it? what do you guys think? I also wonder if I have a stuck caliper or something that causes this right-pull....

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b176/nishang/WheelAlignmentSpecs.jpg

[danewilson77]

Yes. And they can clearly see ///M3 differs from ZSP/ZHP.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[Washburn]

Thanks for all the feedback guys.
Took it back and the tech used correct 330Ci 18" wheel option this time, and car feels a lot better.
The slight difference in steering wheel is still there, but car is straight and I think the difference in st wheel could be due to new Powerflex FCABs...

[blablac]

Roads are not flat and usually angled towards the passenger to get water off when it rains, so if you let go of your steering wheel on the highway, it will most likely pull to the right slightly.

Doesn't look like a bad alignment at all. Too much toe for my taste, but I like it at zero in the front and barely in, in the back.