Camber alignment is off on driver side - strut mount arrows point different directions

[elky]

Hey everyone,
Last weekend, I replaced my control arms and tie rods and fitted Powerflex bushings with new lollipop brackets.
When I took the car for alignment I discovered that my left wheel (driver side) camber is off at -1deg. 29 min.

The previous owner (I have all the history), has replaced the front suspension and top mounts in 2021, but I can see the arrows point in different directions:

According to the Bentley manual, 3.0i Z3 w/o sport suspension should have a -44' camber.
Could the alignment of the arrows cause this difference? As far as I know, the 2001 3.0i has no offset on the top mounts, but it's the only thing I can see pointing in completely different directions...

Let me know if you have any ideas...
Cheers!

 

[Rudyrov]

Not sure if the struts are symmetrical at the top. Perhaps the arrows need to be as the factory designed them?
Hope that makes sense. Otherwise there may be a bigger issue and something may be bent.

 

[elky]

Not sure if the struts are symmetrical at the top. Perhaps the arrows need to be as the factory designed them?
Hope that makes sense. Otherwise there may be a bigger issue and something may be bent.

Hmm, but what is the factory for the arrows? Do you think the arrows should point to the hole (as it is in the right image)?
What do other people's mounts look like?

Given that the previous owner had full service history and the car drives well, I doubt something is bent... but I guess I can never be sure about the subframe etc.

 

[Rudyrov]

Pictures in google show the arrow pointing at the large hole

 

[elky]

Pictures in google show the arrow pointing at the large hole

Thanks for the help. I will try to rotate my passenger (left) strut mount, although that is kind of strange because, in theory, the "right (driver)" side is out of spec. But perhaps the shop messed up left/right...

 

[Rudyrov]

Thanks for the help. I will try to rotate my passenger (left) strut mount, although that is kind of strange because, in theory, the "right (driver)" side is out of spec. But perhaps the shop messed up left/right...

I understand and yes it doesn't make sense.
I can only surmise that the marks are there for a reason.
You can most likely realign the tops with out complete disassembly, I haven't tried it so it's a guess.
Perhaps another member will pipe in before you decide to dig in?

There are several videos on the net that show the process and delve into the finer points of this job, I like to watch several before I do these things just to see what is said and shown.

 

[Rudyrov]

Funny thing, I just took a look at my 98 z3 2.8.
It has no such marks on the struts, only the body (large holes).

 

[elky]

Funny thing, I just took a look at my 98 z3 2.8.
It has no such marks on the struts, only the body (large holes).
View attachment 330005View attachment 330007

That is interesting! My best guess is that perhaps mounts with the markings are supposed to be aligned versus non-marked ones....

 

[elky]

I understand and yes it doesn't make sense.
I can only surmise that the marks are there for a reason.
You can most likely realign the tops with out complete disassembly, I haven't tried it so it's a guess.
Perhaps another member will pipe in before you decide to dig in?

There are several videos on the net that show the process and delve into the finer points of this job, I like to watch several before I do these things just to see what is said and shown.

Yeah perhaps in the weekend I will try to raise the car and let the strut drop a bit so I can re-align it, as far as I know/seen the top mounts rotate freely so it should be easy...

 

[DomiMik]

Regarding the mounts: they are symmetrical and don't need to be aligned in the Z3. But: they can be used for the Z4 E85 as well which has elongated mounting holes in the domes (see picture below).

If the pin stays in place the strut is in default position; if you remove the pin, the mount can be slightly adjusted in order to change camber.

This doesn't mean that the mount isn't faulty in some kind of way, but the arrow direction isn't important for Z3 owners.

 

[Stevo7682]

Im interested the tracking machine that was used did it ask the car to be weighted ?

We use Hunter alignment at work on all non m zed 3 hunter suspension pre load requirements are
Full tank fuel
70 kg ns seat
70 kg os seat
40 kg boot

This preloads suspension by correct amount for tracking check and adjustment
Cant remember what my camber , caster etc was last time i did one would need to dig out the print to see.

At same time dont know what difference if any this would make to your car
Stephen.

 

[elky]

Im interested the tracking machine that was used did it ask the car to be weighted ?

We use Hunter alignment at work on all non m zed 3 hunter suspension pre load requirements are
Full tank fuel
70 kg ns seat
70 kg os seat
40 kg boot

This preloads suspension by correct amount for tracking check and adjustment
Cant remember what my camber , caster etc was last time i did one would need to dig out the print to see.

At same time dont know what difference if any this would make to your car
Stephen.

You are right. The measurements they provided don't state any information regarding the weights used. For sure, I was not in a full tank; it was halfway.
The correct preload would probably make a difference. Could it be that they only preloaded the driver's seat if some "common" cars require only that?

 

[the Nefyn cat]

I had a similar thing with mine many years ago, fitted some of these and not had a problem since. All you have to do is persuade the alignment people that actually you can adjust the camber.

Adjustable Front Camber Plates Top Mounts For BMW E36 318i 320i 323i 325i M3 | eBay UK

For BMW E36 316i, 318i, 318is, 318ic, 323i, 323ic, 323is, 325i, 325is, 325ic, 328i,328is,328ic, M3. Coilovers Suspension Top Mount Set For BMW E36 Pillow Rear Upper. 24 Ways Coilover Kit For BMW E36 Adjustable Damper Suspension Shock Strut Set.

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[elky]

I had a similar thing with mine many years ago, fitted some of these and not had a problem since. All you have to do is persuade the alignment people that actually you can adjust the camber.

Adjustable Front Camber Plates Top Mounts For BMW E36 318i 320i 323i 325i M3 | eBay UK

For BMW E36 316i, 318i, 318is, 318ic, 323i, 323ic, 323is, 325i, 325is, 325ic, 328i,328is,328ic, M3. Coilovers Suspension Top Mount Set For BMW E36 Pillow Rear Upper. 24 Ways Coilover Kit For BMW E36 Adjustable Damper Suspension Shock Strut Set.

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Eventually, I will end up, kinda in your situation in the summer when I plan to fit BC racing coilovers... but I was curious to discuss if anyone had similar experiences with different camber side-to-side