[PG]

I'm having the steering retrofit done on my car for the 2nd time. For some strange reason, the retrofit steering rack that was initially installed on my car had a very loose steering feel in the center (and not very heavy steering feel overall) and so, BMW has agreed to have another retrofit steering rack installed on my car.

Will it be necessary for another 4 wheel alignment to be done at the time of the retrofit? If so, what is it about changing a steering rack that throws off the alignment?

Thanks.

 

[31st330i]

if a 4 wheel alignment is needed, after a retrofit, it was need before the retrofit. in fact, the same goes for front caster and camber settings (a full two wheel alignment).

when a steering rack is replaced, the only setting that is disturbed is the toe setting because the original tie rod ends are removed from the original steering rack and installed onto the new steering rack. even if the tech counted the number of turns (threads) that it took to remove the tie rod end and put it back on the new rack the same number of threads, the toe setting would still be off. it's a good idea to count the turns anway so that at least you're "in the ball park" before going over to the alignment rack. the car can also be aligned via eyeball while on the mechanics hoist to make the subsequent alignment on the alignment rack a little easier.

that said, when performing an alignment, many/most alignment machines require that the wheel jigs be installed on all four wheels anyway. the difference then between a four wheel alignment and a two wheel alignment is that the mechanic makes an adjustment to the rear.

in reality, a full frontal alignment is NOT even required (assuming it was aligned properly to begin with). when replacing a steering rack, only a simple toe setting is required and all that BMWNA will pay on the warranty claim.

 

[bmw325]

PG-

Can't wait to find out if this works (I hope so)! 31st330 explained alignments very succintly and accurately. Dealers and mechanics are often ambiguous w/ the term "4 wheel aligment". They stretch that to mean that they attach wheel sensors to all 4 wheels- this is something they have to do to get any modern alignment machine to work and even if they're only adjusting the front toe.

 

[Scotes]

So I take it the answer is yes to a front wheel alignment even though they may only be adjusting the toe (assuming they did everything correctly)?

Thanks for the informative reply! :thumb: I'm getting mine done in few weeks and was wondering what to make certain they do.

 

[31st330i]

the toe HAD to be set some how. period. if it wasn't on the rack then the mechanic might have aligned your car on the regular hoist using the eyeball method.