Switched to 20"s and now an alignment nightmare begins

[Longhorn 35d]

Hi there,
Switched from 18s to 20s and now my X5 35d is pulling to the right. Took it to a reputable alignment place in Houston (SW alignment) and they told me that the front camber cannot be adjusted. They said I will have to replace the upper control arm. The computer showed a positive "out of spec" value for the camber at right (passenger) front wheel and the technician said it cannot be adjusted, take it to the dealer and replace the upper control arm.
I don't know which way to proceed, the dealer said they don't warranty the alignment or front suspension parts. Now I guess I will have to spend an arm and a leg at the stealer to get the upper control arm replaced and a friggin' alignment.
Any body knows which other way to go.
Thanks,

Longhorn 35d

[Endless619]

Originally Posted by Longhorn 35d

Hi there,
Switched from 18s to 20s and now my X5 35d is pulling to the right. Took it to a reputable alignment place in Houston (SW alignment) and they told me that the front camber cannot be adjusted. They said I will have to replace the upper control arm. The computer showed a positive "out of spec" value for the camber at right (passenger) front wheel and the technician said it cannot be adjusted, take it to the dealer and replace the upper control arm.
I don't know which way to proceed, the dealer said they don't warranty the alignment or front suspension parts. Now I guess I will have to spend an arm and a leg at the stealer to get the upper control arm replaced and a friggin' alignment.
Any body knows which other way to go.
Thanks,

Longhorn 35d

Why did you go to 20s? I would go back to 18s. Much cheaper maintenance and you had no issues before? I am running OEM 18s and would never go bigger. 18s work fine on my modified M3 and X5.

[APLINE_997]

???? So he is blaming the upsize? You know you can upgrade to stock 20's and 21's from BMW. So what is the problem? They don't put on a new suspension for the OEM 20-21's . Lots of people have them. Get a new shop.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by APLINE_997

???? So he is blaming the upsize? You know you can upgrade to stock 20's and 21's from BMW. So what is the problem? They don't put on a new suspension for the OEM 20-21's . Lots of people have them. Get a new shop.

Agreed!

[m332is]

Agreed wheel size will not impact alignment.

[Longhorn 35d]

Originally Posted by APLINE_997

???? So he is blaming the upsize? You know you can upgrade to stock 20's and 21's from BMW. So what is the problem? They don't put on a new suspension for the OEM 20-21's . Lots of people have them. Get a new shop.

I'm not blaming the upsize, it was like that but less noticeable with the 18s. BTW I replaced them with brand new OEM BMW 214s not with replicas.
The only reason I opened this thread is because I wanted to know if other owners had the same experience and what they did. Yes, I used the search and found some other threads, but none of them said what they did.
Yes, I went to another shop for a second opinion and they cannot adjust the Camber in that wheel, they recommended the same thing go to the dealer and get the upper control arm replaced... they even asked me "are you still under warranty?" yeah, like that is going to help.
I only wanted to know if other people had the same experience.
Thanks but no thanks anyways!

[m332is]

Unless you hit something to throw the camber off (which you would very likely remember), you likely have other issues such as the control arms as the shop suggested. - they are a wear item. Unless you know and trust this shop, before I started swapping out parts I might try another place an alignment

[markE90]

Go to the dealer and put back your 18s and tell them its pulling to the right. They might do an adjustment or something. I bet youre not over the warranty period.
See what they say.

Then put back the 20s on.

I have a stock suspension with 20s without camber adjustments. Im sure it will
Be solved without you buying the upper control arm.

[APLINE_997]

To determine if your dealer is full of crap let us know your mileage?

I can tell you without a doubt that front suspension parts are definitely covered under warranty. I had several parts on my SUV covered. Same goes for all my cars.

If you have factory 20" wheels from BMW I wouldn't even worry about putting back on the 18's. They sell take offs all the time from BMW and the Parts Department so warranty claims relating to upsizing wheels and tires are treated the same if using Genuine BMW parts. Since the SUV was given many options for wheels then your OEM's are fine.

FYI I had alignment covered as well. It's all how you ask sometimes and if you have a great SA or a lazy one.

[Longhorn 35d]

Originally Posted by APLINE_997

To determine if your dealer is full of crap let us know your mileage?

I can tell you without a doubt that front suspension parts are definitely covered under warranty. I had several parts on my SUV covered. Same goes for all my cars.

If you have factory 20" wheels from BMW I wouldn't even worry about putting back on the 18's. They sell take offs all the time from BMW and the Parts Department so warranty claims relating to upsizing wheels and tires are treated the same if using Genuine BMW parts. Since the SUV was given many options for wheels then your OEM's are fine.

FYI I had alignment covered as well. It's all how you ask sometimes and if you have a great SA or a lazy one.

The actual mileage on my 2011 X5 35d is 27,800 miles.
Thanks,

Longhorn 35d

[markE90]

Longhorn, any updates?

[Longhorn 35d]

Originally Posted by markE90

Longhorn, any updates?

Went to a third shop and they told me they could not align it either. I walked back and saw the values on their Hunter alignment system and the rears were ok, the camber value for the front right was over 1.3 positive... Then I said oh hell let's bite the bullet and go to the dealer... magically at the dealer everything went ok, the only values that were off were the front and rear toe. The X5 now drives straight.
I will post the alignment report this evening.

The alignment shops I went to:
SW alignment in Richmond Ave.
Firestone car care in Fry Rd.
NTB at Grand Parkway.
They all have the Hunter alignment system and evidently they don't have a clue how to use it. Avoid those shops!

Now I'm a happy camper thanks to the service department at Momentum BMW West! I highly recommend their service department to anyone in the Houston area!

Thanks,

Longhorn 35d

[markE90]

Did u pay the dealership or they covered it under warranty?

[Longhorn 35d]

Originally Posted by markE90

Did u pay the dealership or they covered it under warranty?

Alignment warranty is only for the first 2000 miles. I had to pay for the alignment.

[APLINE_997]

Alignment I can understand not under warranty but I was concerned any parts they would try to tell you they wouldn't cover.

Glad you got it worked out.

[lounnj]

[texvette]

I would stay away from any shops like pep boys, firestone, NTB. Have had too
many friends get ripped off by those places. Its seems the workers are just
not that skilled and takes multiple return trips to get issues resolved.
One size fits all, diagnostic equip, doesn't cut it on high end cars

Issues friends had with those places are yes alignments, brakes. They seem
to be able to handle battery and tires changes on basic cars.

For BMW its the dealer or a indie BMW shop