Wheel Camber advice for someone who knows little

Wheel Camber advice for someone who knows little

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Discussion

ktstocko

Original Poster:

4 posts

85 months

Tuesday 21st February 2017
quotequote all
Apologies if this is not the right place or way to go about this. First time post, I am a woman so need things explaining simply. I feel I am being fobbed off by my garage.

I had my wheels aligned (on my 2011 Mini Countryman All4) last august and received a print out of the data. The back passenger tyre/wheel was reading -2.22 degrees, toe -0.03 before any work was done. The 'after' reading taken once the alignment was done read Camber -2.57, toe +0.10.

The tyre on this wheel has just had to be replaced as the inside wear was beyond bare, despite having plenty of tread left on 80% of the rest of the tyre.

Q. Is this partly the garages fault for not sorting the camber issue out and actually making it worse than it was.
They are telling me the camber is not able to be adjusted?

Thank you.

E-bmw

9,104 posts

151 months

Tuesday 21st February 2017
quotequote all
On a lot of cars camber is not adjustable, but having said that, the fact that it is that far negative indicates an issue on the suspension that I would have expected them to have looked into & informed you of at the time.

It may be caused by a worn bush/joint/bashed pothole/kerb & really does need to be sorted or the same will happen again.

SlimJim16v

5,617 posts

142 months

Tuesday 21st February 2017
quotequote all
That's a lot of negative camber. It's a common problem, apparently, for Minis to wear out the inside edge, especially on run flats.

IF adjustable, I'd want it set to the minimum possible. If not I'd have adjustable arms fitted.

ktstocko

Original Poster:

4 posts

85 months

Tuesday 21st February 2017
quotequote all
Thank you both. It's even worse when they looked today -3.00. The garage who fitted my tyres sold me a alignment 'deal', to pay a one off fee and get 8 adjustments made over the two year period. But they only told me today they can't even adjust camber, only toe on my car. Is it me or does this seem like a rip off, they sold me a product I can only use part of, as I will have to take it elsewhere to get the camber sorted.

SlimJim16v

5,617 posts

142 months

Wednesday 22nd February 2017
quotequote all
You need to try a Mini forum, where hopefully someone will know if your camber is adjustable or not. If it's not adjustable there's no point paying for adjustment.

I think that's got to be way out of spec though, so maybe another issue.

helix402

7,832 posts

181 months

kayzee

2,781 posts

180 months

Wednesday 22nd February 2017
quotequote all
You can't adjust the rear camber as standard, I had to buy two sets of these...

https://orranje.co.uk/shop-by-brand/silver-project...

Just FYI though, I'm running 2.5° on the front and 4.1° on the rear and it handles beautifully!

E-bmw

9,104 posts

151 months

Wednesday 22nd February 2017
quotequote all
4.1 degrees is a ridiculous amount of camber on a road car, particularly on the rear, it must look bandy-legged!

helix402

7,832 posts

181 months

Wednesday 22nd February 2017
quotequote all
It's Scene Bro.

E-bmw

9,104 posts

151 months

Wednesday 22nd February 2017
quotequote all
You mean it is one of those where the owner can't afford the right size tyres for the wheels?

helix402

7,832 posts

181 months

Wednesday 22nd February 2017
quotequote all
Spot on! Back on topic, I think the Countryman should have rear camber adjustment from the factory via an eccentric bolt. I had one up in the air today but didn't think to check. I can check the BMW repair manual if I get 5 mins spare.

E-bmw

9,104 posts

151 months

Wednesday 22nd February 2017
quotequote all
Just had a look on realoem & see that some of the earlier ones also look like they have eccentric adjusters on the lower arms.

Just had a look at the page for mine (r53 cooper s 2006) do you know if this is true also?

Have to admit I haven't had a look under mine as I only very recently bought it, but will be replacing all wearable bushes/links as a matter of course.

helix402

7,832 posts

181 months

Wednesday 22nd February 2017
quotequote all
I don't think the R53s have factory rear camber adj.

E-bmw

9,104 posts

151 months

Wednesday 22nd February 2017
quotequote all
No problem, just looked at (14) here & thought it looked like the ones on the e36 3er I used to have with adjustable eccentrics on the end of the arms.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=RE33-...

ktstocko

Original Poster:

4 posts

85 months

Wednesday 22nd February 2017
quotequote all
Thanks for all the replies . I've booked it into mini, they sounded quite alarmed when I told them the camber angle, but didn't say they can't fix it.
Still interested to hear if I'm being unreasonable asked for a refund on the alignment package I was sold if they can't even complete the job?

SlimJim16v

5,617 posts

142 months

Thursday 23rd February 2017
quotequote all
If it's not adjustable, there's nothing they could have done.

If it is and it looks like it might, get a written report from BMW/MINI and ask for the cost of the alignment and tyre refunded. You might not get the tyre as well, but it's a bargaining tool.

Checked the back of our 2008 R56 Cooper and it does have the eccentric adjustment.

helix402

7,832 posts

181 months

Thursday 23rd February 2017
quotequote all
E-bmw said:
No problem, just looked at (14) here & thought it looked like the ones on the e36 3er I used to have with adjustable eccentrics on the end of the arms.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=RE33-...
See what you mean, I'll have to check now!

mon the fish

1,412 posts

147 months

Thursday 23rd February 2017
quotequote all
If it's not adjustable, something else is seriously wrong with the suspension to do that to a tyre. Or you spend all day driving over cushion speedbumps

ktstocko

Original Poster:

4 posts

85 months

Thursday 23rd February 2017
quotequote all
mon the fish said:
If it's not adjustable, something else is seriously wrong with the suspension to do that to a tyre. Or you spend all day driving over cushion speedbumps
I have to admit I have been know to hit those bumps a bit hard. It's like Roscoe P. Coltrane is after me and I think I'm in the 'General Lee'.

helix402

7,832 posts

181 months

Thursday 23rd February 2017
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