Z4 Rear Tyre Wear / 4 Wheel Alignemt

[Cliff Robinson]

Sorry, I previously posted this in error in the Z3 forum

I live near Lancaster and have a 2008 3L Z4 Coupe which I've had from new. I took it to a garage recently for some work, and was told both rear tyres were down to the steel cords on the inside, this after only 6000 miles. It was recommended I take it for a 4 wheel alignment. This is where my problems started. The local tyre dealer carried out the alignment check and confirmed the alignment was out on both tow and camber, but they were unable to undo the bolts to allow adjustments to be made. I took it back to my local garage who said they hadn't the equipment required to do the work, so I took it to the main BMW agents in the South Lakes for the work to be done. After 2 days with them they advised me that they didn't want to try and undo the bolts in case it led to further work which they were unable to do and which could be expensive.

Can anyone advise me where I can get this work done? Its a great car and I'm hoping it will last me for many years to come, as although its now done 115000 miles its been well maintained and has not had a hard life

Thanks, Cliff (Lancs)

 

[Stevo7682]

Unfortunately the long and short of this is .
The camber and toe eccentric adjuster bolts will be seized into the metal pin inside the arm bush
Probably the only solution will be to cut the bolts either side of the arm and replace the 2 camber arm and the 2 toe arms and all associated nuts bolts and washers.
Stephen.

 

[t-tony]

What Steve said. It was quote a common occurrence when I was still at work, especially on VAG vehicles. Time consuming and expensive.

Tony.

 

[Stevo7682]

Shhh Tony trying to coach my Skoda along
Bushes seized in now ( have had all set up in green on hunter machine)
Done front shocks and mounts not long ago re check alignment rear still green within spec tyre wear ok but if ever starts scrubbing then will need all cut out and replaced but still doing ok at 185k.

Stephen.

 

[t-tony]

To be honest they should never need replacing if the car was set correctly when it was built. In the case of the OP 's car in 2008 it probably never was.

Tony.

 

[Stevo7682]

Bmw even now ive had relatively new 3 and 5 series put them on hunter machine and they are out even with relatively low mileage.
Most modern bmw up here in Scotland can be relatively non adjustable after 7 -8 yrs ( or less sometimes at front)
Stephen.

 

[t-tony]

It doesn't take long for things to seize up.

Tony.

 

[Stevo7682]

A fair bit of rain and lots of winter gritting dont help
Stephen

 

[justfur40]

It'll probably end up looking like this:

 

[t-tony]

And that makes you wonder if tyres really are that expensive?

Tony.

 

[Cliff Robinson]

Thanks to everyone who has replied, particularly Steve, at least I now know the extent of the problem and why the main dealer didn't want to get involved with it. However its the best car I've ever owned and I intend keeping it, so does anyone out there know of any garage that is capable of carrying out the work required, and who would be willing to take it on? Someone within say 100 miles of Lancaster would be ideal,

Cheer, Cliff

 

[B21]

Mike at the Zedshed in St `Helen’s IMHO