BMW Z3 Left rear wheel toe-out problem...HELP PLEASE!

H

haygenyau

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Joined
Jun 30, 2015
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Hi all,

First, nice to meet you all...I am new to this forum and I owned a 1998 BMW Z3 2.8 Convertible.

I have the below problem in my Z3,

The left rear wheel is toed out significantly compared to the right side (I am not mentioning about camber). I have no idea why one side is toed out more than the other side.

Garage has checked that there seems have no problem in bushes, arm and everything else, no bent in sub-frame and no clues of car crashed were discovered as well.

Anyone can help? Since this problem makes my Z3 not easy to control when driving.

Thank you.
 
Hi @haygenyau, and welcome.

The symptoms you describe would lead me to think that you have a bent trailing arm. How did the garage check it was straight? It would only need to be bent by a single degree to put your alignment out.
 
Brian H said:
Hi @haygenyau, and welcome.

The symptoms you describe would lead me to think that you have a bent trailing arm. How did the garage check it was straight? It would only need to be bent by a single degree to put your alignment out.
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Hi, thank you for your reply!
I am not sure, as I do not know much about cars.
But actually that was my friend (who work in a garage), he checked thoroughly (i was near him)...and said there is no symptoms showing the car has been crashed and thus, not likely for anything to bent..

If that is rally the case, can I just replace the trailing arm? how much will it cost? is it a difficult project for the garage?

Thank you.
 
haygenyau said:
But actually that was my friend (who work in a garage), he checked thoroughly (i was near him)...and said there is no symptoms showing the car has been crashed and thus, not likely for anything to bent..
Click to expand...

It is really difficult to see if a trailing arm is bent but perhaps your friend could put your car on a ramp and take measurements side to side to confirm if the trailing arm is bent.

haygenyau said:
If that is rally the case, can I just replace the trailing arm? how much will it cost? is it a difficult project for the garage?
Click to expand...

You can replace a trailing arm, it is a little tricky but nothing your local garage will not be able to do, cost wise if you can get hold of a good second hand unit it will be a lot cheaper than new, the trailing arms are show as £375.00GBP.
 
Brian H said:
It is really difficult to see if a trailing arm is bent but perhaps your friend could put your car on a ramp and take measurements side to side to confirm if the trailing arm is bent.



You can replace a trailing arm, it is a little tricky but nothing your local garage will not be able to do, cost wise if you can get hold of a good second hand unit it will be a lot cheaper than new, the trailing arms are show as £375.00GBP.
Click to expand...


Really thanks for your reply!
£375.00GBP is quite expensive for me. But if it really works, it worth definitely.

Thanks again
 
haygenyau said:
Really thanks for your reply!
£375.00GBP is quite expensive for me. But if it really works, it worth definitely.

Thanks again
Click to expand...

I would check, check and check again before buying a new one so really the next action would be to get some accurate measurements taken from under the car.
 
some Z3 had rear toe problems from the factory, to this end there are eccentric bushes available which fix the condition.
 
Also, your car may not have been in a serious accident but simply a hard hit to a curb with the rear sliding sideways could potentially bend the trailing arm. I believe another member just completed this change after hitting a curb just a few months ago. Sorry can't recall who but maybe someone else has a better memory than mine. You might also want to check your rim for signs of corrective therapy and confirm it's straight. HTH and welcome from Canada and good luck!! JIM
 
zedonist said:
some Z3 had rear toe problems from the factory, to this end there are eccentric bushes available which fix the condition.
Click to expand...
I have read articles from google, someone said Z3 has toe and camber problem.
But most of them said both side of the car should be identical..
However in my case...only left rear wheel is toed out significantly.

I have bought this from ebay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-E30-SUPER-PRO-Rear-Camber-Toe-Adjusting-Kit-SUPERPRO-/281734983350?

Hope it will work.
 
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