x5 alignement question

[s14dk]

Hi guys I tried searching but nothing..

Quick question:
04 5 3.0i

Do I need a full tank of gas and weights to do the alignment? some dumb shop owner refused to do mine cause he was unsure.

Let me know guys, this - camber is ridiculous!


cheers

[Ricky Bobby]

You need a full tank.

To do it by the book you would need weights but if using a Hunter Hawkeye machine you can align it without the weights.

If your camber is excessive now, and you can't get it within spec in the rear, you have worn lower swing arm ball joints and/or wishbones and you would need to replace those before realigning.

I also strongly recommend rear toe set to -.01 so you save your tires, even if camber is within spec you want that toe closer to 0 to save your inside of the tires, the toe in the rear is what shreds them on the inside, not the negative camber.

[BigBlack48is]

+1 Rickey Bobby!

kill that tow in the rear

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by s14dk

...Do I need a full tank of gas and weights to do the alignment? some dumb shop owner refused to do mine cause he was unsure. ...

I don't think he was dumb...unless you count him not taking your money as being dumb. He didn't have all the info to do the job correctly...and was honest with you about his skill level.

Below is the specs for BMW sedans/coupes...I'm not sure if the exact weight specs are the same for the SAVs...but more than likely...it's either the same or really close:

EDIT: Appears that the weight specs are the same...below is info from an updated PDF (which you can download if you want more info about BMW wheel alignment and suspension systems):

http://www.bmwmotorsports.org/BMW_docs/x5align.pdf

[Sarek]

You should use weight in order to get your camber to not be too aggressive. You can wing it and get it close. You can bring some dumbell weights in to your alignment shop. All it is is a bunch of weight until you get to a specific ride height.

[s14dk]

Thanks for the information everyone
cheers!

[pnoyako85]

get a Hunter Machine
Sear Auto Center uses them
3 yrs alignment UNLIMITED stops....imyself went 3x already this week..since been playing with ride height...

[we350z]

Glad I saw this, and that Ricky Bobby responded to my thread. Don't let this happen to your tires! I didn't know bout the weight stuff - great information! Not sure who did my last alignment but I think they were pretty incompetent...

[Sarek]

Originally Posted by pnoyako85

get a Hunter Machine
Sear Auto Center uses them
3 yrs alignment UNLIMITED stops....imyself went 3x already this week..since been playing with ride height...

I guess they can put a bunch of sears techs in as ballasts to weigh it down.

As long as they put the proper weight in. They can do a proper alignment. Even the hawkeye machine will state to put weight in and measure ride height.

3 years of free alignments...lol. Might take them that long to get it right

[Jungerishere]

Originally Posted by pnoyako85

get a Hunter Machine
Sear Auto Center uses them
3 yrs alignment UNLIMITED stops....imyself went 3x already this week..since been playing with ride height...

Firestone has LIFETIME alignment with UNLIMITED stops. I own E34 for 12 years and used Firestone alignment many, many, many time... Every time I change tires or replace/change suspension parts. Never had an issue with alignment on any of my cars. I agree with Ricky Bobby. My X5 has aggressive rear negative camber but my tires seem to wear evenly due to correct toe.