E36 318is Alignment Questions

[L3VND1]

Hey guys

Well i repaired the Lower control arm and replaced the bushes. All factory BMW parts. ended up costing me $600AU. So yeah pretty expensive.

I have H&R Sport springs coming now to lower the car and im saving the wheel alignment till i get them.

The question is, is it worth going to a reputable high class mechanic that charges 160AU plus for a full alignment, or should i get the people who i bought my tyres off to do them for much cheaper?

The Reputable suspension place claims that they will do a full alignemtn, where as the other guys will only do toe in toe out.

Is this true? Is it worth paying more money and getting full CASTOR CHAMBER AND TOE done?

[Dudesky_E36]

On a stock E36 front suspension, castor and camber are not adjustable, only the toe is adjustable via the tie rods. For replacement of control arms and related bushings, you don't need an alignment as long as you're putting in factory OEM parts. However, if you're lowering the car, you will most likely need a full alignment (which has more to do with the rear). I've heard that you can get away without it if the drop is less than 1", but I don't know how true that is.

[L3VND1]

But when you say full alignment, its just toe right? front and rear? anything else?

[325iS]

Originally Posted by L3VND1

But when you say full alignment, its just toe right? front and rear? anything else?

He's refering to the addition of the caster/camber adjustments that would be needed on a lowered vehicle.

To make these adjustments, you'd either need plates and/or offset bushings.

[L3VND1]

kk cheers.

[94BMW325i]

also well at least for my car, now that I lowered it a few months ago I need a full alignment once I replace my frozen tie rod ends. That involves putting I think 500 pounds or so in your car. I am not sure if waiting a few months for my suspension to settle was a bad idea..