Can a wheel alignment fix this?

Prets83 · Post by **Prets83** » Fri Mar 17, 2017 4:11 pm

Afternoon guys,

My front wheels dont look right

Having straightened my wheels, I noticed the n/s wheel isn't centred within the arch.

Picture 1 (n/s), the wheel looks dead centre of the arch.

: IMG_3273.JPG (68.8 KiB) Viewed 1058 times

Pic 2 (o/s) looks like the wheel is sitting a little back.

: IMG_3274.JPG (71.24 KiB) Viewed 1058 times

Admittedly, the o/s is the side I hit a curb pretty hard and damaged my front end a month back but it just passed an MOT this week and also a mechanic said there didn't seem to be anything obvious when I mentioned it. When on a trolley jack, the wheel spins with no trouble at all, there isnt anything I saw underneath which raised alarms either.

Another issue is when I'm driving, I can hear a noise from the o/s wheel when doing over 30mph. If I steer right, its not so bad but when steering left, its a bit more obvious. I am missing the splash cover which explains why I can hear some noise but its definitely relating to the wheel.

Any advise is appreciated

Pri

VRSteve · Post by **VRSteve** » Fri Mar 17, 2017 4:19 pm

No adjustment in the front end for that.

If you've hit the wheel hard enough you may well have damaged the arm, which is a sacrificial part.

Can't comment on the noise....bearing damage maybe?

Easi85 · Post by **Easi85** » Fri Mar 17, 2017 4:21 pm

The noise your hearing is likely to be the front wheel bearing groaning when under load (i.e. Turning) whilst there is no significant play in the beating as it past the MOT, some time in the near future it will need replacing.

Prets83 · Post by **Prets83** » Fri Mar 17, 2017 4:30 pm

Cheers guys.

Ive have another look at the arm in case Ive missed anything.
Oh the joys!

Pri

Scooba_Steve · Post by **Scooba_Steve** » Fri Mar 17, 2017 7:04 pm

Could it be pushed back into the brake reaction bushing? You could get under and do some measuring. A pair of new front arms is only £200, if they've not been replaced before then it's worth doing.

Prets83 · Post by **Prets83** » Sat Mar 18, 2017 2:41 pm

It may be an easier to get front arms replaced.
No sign of it being done before and the cars done 65k so worth checking that option.

Cheers

Prets83 · Post by **Prets83** » Sat Mar 18, 2017 2:50 pm

If I was to go with replacing the control arms and bushes, would this be the correct parts:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FOR-BMW-E46-Z ... Sw241YgFgg

Seems cheap considering Eurocarparts sell one control arm for around £100.

Rufus59 · Post by **Rufus59** » Sat Mar 18, 2017 2:52 pm

Personally I'd steer clear of eBay specials. Control arms influence the handing and feel of the car a lot, so I'd try and stick with well known makes if you can.

Scooba_Steve · Post by **Scooba_Steve** » Sat Mar 18, 2017 3:27 pm

Could be junk, Meyle have replaceable joints, £200 the pair with rear bushings. E46 ones also fit and can sometimes be a bit cheaper for identical parts.

RickRob · Post by **RickRob** » Sat Mar 18, 2017 3:32 pm

If your car is rhd then you have your off and near sides mixed up!

Ewazix · Post by **Ewazix** » Sat Mar 18, 2017 4:29 pm

RickRob wrote:If your car is rhd then you have your off and near sides mixed up!

Looking at the gaps I was thinking the same

..or is it simply sitting lower on one side so altering the gap all round?

Prets83 · Post by **Prets83** » Sat Mar 18, 2017 4:55 pm

Well spotted, yes my n/s and o/s are the wrong way around

I even checked it and changed it, clearly having a dumb moment.

Nelly Welly · Post by **Nelly Welly** » Sat Mar 18, 2017 10:57 pm

Without a doubt the suspension arm has moved or has deformed.

I would get under and take a few comparison measurements.

Triangulate to the centre of the front cross member and it will show where the movement has occurred.

midway · Post by **midway** » Sat Mar 18, 2017 11:27 pm

If you replace the control arms it's always worth looking at replacing the front rubber control arm bushes for poly ones.

Prets83 · Post by **Prets83** » Sun Mar 19, 2017 11:41 am

Cheers guys!

Ive ordered another arm from Euro Car Parts as they had a sale on.
Im going to compare the arms the best I can and swap if there is any difference (most likely).

Will update once i have an answer.

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