Front Alignment - NEED HELP - BMW Forum

L3VND1 · 06-20-2006, 05:03 AM

Hi guys,

Im new to the forum. Been driving my E36 318is now for about a year.
It is '98 and has the M kit on it.
Ive had a few modifications done to it but I had an incident driving the other day that im concerned about.

I exited a corner and lost control and hit/mounted a traffic island.

I scraped the front spoiler and hit my front right on it pretty hard.
The impact caused a stress point in my windshield and cracked it. Also i had replica E46 M3 (18inch) rims on it that got scratched as well.

However now the right wheel sits about a centimeter further back than the left and scrapes the inside guard when i turn sharply.

Would alignment fix this problem? Or do i have something more seroius on my hands.

I am trying to hold out to friday because I have H&R springs coming to lower the car where they will wheel align there.

The car is drivable but yeah. What do you guys think it is? Would alignment fix it? If not, what is it and how much am i in for?

Cheers.

Redbullrr · 06-20-2006, 07:32 AM

Seems like you bent the Lower Control Arm, this will have to be replaced in order. Thats my opinion.

L3VND1 · 06-21-2006, 02:20 AM

ok. thanks. I'll look into it.

///M Power · 06-21-2006, 04:06 PM

Defintely sounds like a lower control arm. You might also need to replace your lower control arm bushing. The lower control arm i ment to bend in situations like you just had in order to prevent even further destruction of your suspension. Also take a look at your tie rod.

theruss1an1 · 06-21-2006, 05:30 PM

What said above + check out your ball joint. If you are getting new CA arms you can get some that have ball joints already pressed in, saves labor time and headaches.

-Serge

bitcore · 06-21-2006, 05:46 PM

Replace LCA. Replace your LCA bushings (yes, both of them) You may be interested in the solid M3 bushings, I STRONGLY suggest them, it firms up the front quite alot. Replace tie-rods (rodS, both of them). Unless you simply cannot afford it, you may pass on this one (tie rods) IF they are NOT damaged. Check your strut for bends & leaking fluid - replace if it's damged (replace in pairs) - otherwise the fluid will leak out and you will be left with just a spring and no damping = bouncey bouncey. Rebalence your wheels and get it strightened since there surely is a bend in the rim now.

The LCA is not optional, duh, the LCA bushings get destroyed when you remove the control arm from the eyeballs, so you might as well get the M3 ones when you replace it. Tie rods are qute important - if one snaps, you will loose control.

Take it easy dude, when you hit stuff, LOTS of things get damaged. You may not notice the damage under visual inspection, but it's there.