Steering Alignment/Tracking in BMWs with Active Steering

[g3org3y]

Can a normal tyre shop do the tracking/wheel alignment of a BMW with Active Steering?

I've read on forums that apart from the mechanical side of things, the Active Steering system needs to be reset so the alignment is done properly.

Looking to change my RFTs to normal Michelin PS4 on the 630i and was looking at getting the tracking sorted at the same time. Obviously I'd rather do the tracking once and properly and don't mind taking to BMW specialist (who does tracking/alignment) for this if it's needed.

Any ideas? TIA

[d_a_n1979]

g3org3y said:

Can a normal tyre shop do the tracking/wheel alignment of a BMW with Active Steering?

I've read on forums that apart from the mechanical side of things, the Active Steering system needs to be reset so the alignment is done properly.

Looking to change my RFTs to normal Michelin PS4 on the 630i and was looking at getting the tracking sorted at the same time. Obviously I'd rather do the tracking once and properly and don't mind taking to BMW specialist (who does tracking/alignment) for this if it's needed.

Any ideas? TIA

I got my E65 730D done on a Hunter system and it was faultless; they had experience of the active steering and it didn't cause them any issues

As far as I know; it wasn't re-set; they just did what they needed to do and the car drove superbly, no tramlining or similar at all

[Luckyone]

g3org3y said:

Can a normal tyre shop do the tracking/wheel alignment of a BMW with Active Steering?

I've read on forums that apart from the mechanical side of things, the Active Steering system needs to be reset so the alignment is done properly.

Looking to change my RFTs to normal Michelin PS4 on the 630i and was looking at getting the tracking sorted at the same time. Obviously I'd rather do the tracking once and properly and don't mind taking to BMW specialist (who does tracking/alignment) for this if it's needed.

Any ideas? TIA

The bits you adjust (track rod ends) are exactly the same on a car with active steering as a regular one so any garage can set it, but still be careful when you take it.
I have just reset the tracking myself on my E93 335i, the alignment was a mile off don’t know what the garage who did it for the previous owner was on, both back wheels were pointed off to the right, when I corrected that the steering wheel was well off centre, they had tried to fix the rear by adjusting the front.

Any monkey can swing a spanner, but they need to know the principles / effects of what they are doing.

Mine is transformed & I’ve only done it by eye so far! I like to tweak it till it feels right as well as taking measurements.

[g3org3y]

Thanks chaps.

[Luckyone]

I have finally finished mucking about with my suspension finishing off with a full alignment.

There is a reset of the active steering, INPA shows the actual angle measurement of the steering wheel, if that is 0 degrees with the steering wheel pointing directly ahead you don’t need to reset it.

Mine wasn’t correct, there are some videos showing a simple reset in INPA for different models but it was very complicated for mine.
Jimmy from cable shack (where I got the cable & software) told me to use DIS for the newer car, I’m used to INPA for the E39. DIS is closely linked to TIS if you have used that it’s reasonably easy to use, my steering angle is now correct!

[g3org3y]

Thanks for that. So once you did the physical tracking, it's essential to check the Active Steering is reset/zeroed?

[Court_S]

I’ve found some alignments in my car to be woeful and BMW’s a bit more sensitive to alignment.

BMW did a rubbish job recently on mine; both rear wheels were pointing at the kerb and they left the track rids loose.

[Luckyone]

g3org3y said:

Thanks for that. So once you did the physical tracking, it's essential to check the Active Steering is reset/zeroed?

As long as your car was driving in a straight line with the steering wheel in the normal straight ahead position before the tracking was done & it still drives the same after it’s highly unlikely you need to do it. It gives a message along those lines (probably better worded!) in DIS before you start the job.

[Luckyone]

Court_S said:

I’ve found some alignments in my car to be woeful and BMW’s a bit more sensitive to alignment.

BMW did a rubbish job recently on mine; both rear wheels were pointing at the kerb and they left the track rids loose.

The rear is a right pain to do, one of the cam bolts was totally seized on mine, possibly why it had been set incorrectly. It snapped when I tried to move it, if that happened at a regular tracking centre you’d be stuck waiting for a new bolt. BMW should have them on the shelf though so it’s not a reason for them not to do it correctly. Really the bolts need removing completely to clean everything out or the arms just won’t move correctly, but on my 335i with the twin exhausts the pipes are close to the bolts stopping them coming right out without a lot of messing about, hence it taking me ages!