Easy Cheap Rear Alignment Fix

Revac

Newbie
Joined
Sep 3, 2020
Points
4
This is going to be controversial, but Ive done it on my 98 Z3 2.8, and its still holding up with no movement. To get some adjustment to the rear trailing arms, you could change the original 12mm bolts over to 7/16 on the inner mounts only (would not do the outers as they are much closer to the wheel, thus greater shock loads). This gets you about .070" range of movement at the mount. I did this on mine, which had too much toe out at .25", and got it down to .12"
You have to push the inner end of the arm in the direction you want it to go prior to tightening them down. What you need is this: two 7/16x4 bolts, locknuts, and 8 hardened washers (double them up on both ends). All hardware MUST be grade 8. Torque them to 70ft-lb. Attached is a pic of the 7/16s on mine, the chisel is just to move the mount in the direction I wanted till tightening.
 

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Stevo7682

Zorg Expert (I)
Supporter
The M44 Massive
Scottish Zeds
Joined
Apr 1, 2016
Points
208
Location
Maybole , South Ayrshire
Model of Z
Z3 Individual Dakar / Orinoco Individual
Yep definitely controversial.

Really don't know how much I would want to push on with it like that
There is a reason why the bolts and holes are the same size as each other .

Most of the uneven tyre were that develops in the rear of zed 3 are generally caused by worn components
Subframe bushes , trailing arm bushes, spring pads .

I have 2 zeds one with good bushes and 1 with wear
Through my work I have access to a Hunter geo aligner
The one with good bushes us green and in tolerance on all 4 corners the the other gas camber issue on one side and toe on the other .
So my personal opinion is that if you are trying to dial out a camber or toe issue by fitting smaller bolts to allow movement in the holes then the problem still lies elsewhere.

Stephen.
 

the Nefyn cat

Zorg Guru (IV)
Supporter
Joined
Oct 19, 2014
Points
174
Location
Actually in Nefyn. My, that took a while.
Model of Z
2.2i Sport
That ain't the way I'd do it, either. Like him up there says, there's a reason why the bolts fit the holes, and doubling up on the washer won't help a lot. It probably helps that I've got a set of these to go on mine, starting tomorrow. Not sure when I'll be finishing, mind.:whistle:
 
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