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      08-16-2011, 11:11 AM   #1
walendvay
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alignment - drifts to the right

Have about 300mi on my rig. The car drifts slightly to the right on a somewhat flat and strait road. My '04 E83 had ZERO drift on this same road.

I've seen others may have had the issue. One said tires took some time to break in?

I'll verify the air pressure tonight.

For those that had the drift, what fixed it? Swapping tires (left to right)? Alignment? I am inclined to give the tire swap a try (something I can do myself w/o scheduling an appt w/ the dealer)

I am guessing it may need a caster or camber adjustment. Are camber and caster adjustable on the F25?

Last edited by walendvay; 08-16-2011 at 11:20 AM..
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      08-16-2011, 11:31 AM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by walendvay View Post
Have about 300mi on my rig. The car drifts slightly to the right on a somewhat flat and strait road. My '04 E83 had ZERO drift on this same road.

I've seen others may have had the issue. One said tires took some time to break in?

I'll verify the air pressure tonight.

For those that had the drift, what fixed it? Swapping tires (left to right)? Alignment? I am inclined to give the tire swap a try (something I can do myself w/o scheduling an appt w/ the dealer)

I am guessing it may need a caster or camber adjustment. Are camber and caster adjustable on the F25?
I asked service to check it out. As they're also fixing the sun roof, I don't have the results yet. Will post when I get the X3 back.
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      08-16-2011, 03:15 PM   #3
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i have the same problem!!! my dealer said it was very common on 5sires
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      08-16-2011, 05:06 PM   #4
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any word on your rig? did they fix it? if so, how did they tackle the problem? I think tonight, I am going to rotate my left/right tires (in the front) and verify that I have "at spec" air pressure.
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      08-16-2011, 09:44 PM   #5
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im going to schedule a appointment to dealer later next week.. it doesent pull hard so i'll take it later
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      08-17-2011, 01:10 AM   #6
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I got the "crown of the road" and "run-flat tires" response initially. I told them that it was noticeable at 60 mph and it didn't matter whether it was new asphalt, old asphalt, or concrete surfaces, but definitely multilane roads. Kind of killed the "crown" part of their dismissal. They still have the car to check for wind noise with the sun roof replacement, so a freeway run is in the works. They'll check for the pull-to-the-right at the same time.

Sorry, but I've been driving for the last 40+ years, and I know about the crown of the road. I know about tires, too. Run-flats would either go left or right, if there's an issue with run-flats, but everyone would have that issue, no? What I can tell you is that you have to be calmly persistent. Will let you know how it goes.
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      08-17-2011, 08:27 AM   #7
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I rotated my tires left to right and verified symmetrical air pressure from left to right and I still have a slight 'drift' to the right. In looking at the parts for the front end, it looks like CAMBER is adjusted by replacing the steering knuckle (the piece that the tie rod and axle attach to). They have two part numbers for each side, one "-30min" and "+30min" I suspect camber is typically a "set and forget" setting.

Let me know how it turns out, Razel.

THanks!
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      08-17-2011, 08:57 AM   #8
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I think that mine drifts a little to the right too. I was told that alignment is only warranteed for the first 1200 miles and I am already past that point. They suggested that I test drive another X3 to see if it handles the same.
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      08-17-2011, 09:23 AM   #9
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My 2004 E83 drove straighter than any car I've ever owned! for all 135k. My F25 is going in the shop saturday morning for an alignment. I started to get the "road crown" statement from the SA, however, he agreed to have the tech put it on the alignment rack to have a look. I'll post results following my saturday appt.

In the mean time, if anyone is able to get the alignment cleaned up, please post. Specifically, I'd be interested in the alignment spec printout (pre and post).

If no one gets data prior to saturday, I'll request it and forward the data if it cleans up the problem.
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      08-17-2011, 05:40 PM   #10
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If you situation is minor, recommend checking your tire pressure. I made the mistake of assuming the dealer would set the tire pressure on delivery -- wrong. It was way out of whack. After two weeks or so driving I was settling in to the car and was thinking the right side was a bit squishy. Turned out to be way low. I think that can lead to some minor pulling if off enough. Not to say there might not be actual alignment issues, but with checking first if it sounds like it might fit your situation.
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      08-17-2011, 06:02 PM   #11
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yep, checked my tires and they are dead on. Also, I rotated the front left / right tires and it still drifts.
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      08-19-2011, 07:41 PM   #12
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Missed checking it when they fixed the sun roof and test drove it for wind noise. Still pulls/drifts to the right. SA is having the service manager contact BMW for possibly covering the cost as the alignment is only a warranty item for the first 1200 miles/2km. Either way, I asked them to check it and fix. So far, I haven't mentioned that there are a few folks on the "intaarwebs" mentioning it as well. I'll get a call from them next week on how much BMW is going to cover on this, and go from there. Once fixed, I'll post up.
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      08-20-2011, 06:46 PM   #13
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so, I go in this morning (saturday). Am told they do NOT have the alignment specs in their alignment tool and they have to call BMW NA or BMW AG to get the values, as they have yet to receive a software update. A waste of a saturday morning.

Had a lengthy discussion w/ the mechanic and SA about road crown.

Not pleased.
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      08-22-2011, 06:24 PM   #14
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it is not the tires, i have had this problem started about 300 miles. 5 + trips ,2 different dealers.it is alignment problem. got it fixed ,then bmw inspection tec just messed it up today. now back to the right hand pulling. you cannot let go of the wheel,or it will run off the road to the right.this is nuts. dont let the dealer tell you it is the way it is!!! good luck
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      08-22-2011, 09:37 PM   #15
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Mine is there right now
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      08-23-2011, 11:02 AM   #16
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back and has same problem!!! said they compared to other x3 and drove the same!!!!
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      08-23-2011, 03:04 PM   #17
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I had this issue a month or so back. My steering wheel had been installed off centre by the factory therefore causing a sensation of a drift to the right with a straight wheel. Its perfect now.
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      08-26-2011, 11:17 PM   #18
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I have the same issue now. Brand new car 3 weeks old. 300 files. The car drift to the right. 1st trip to dealer, they adjusted the alignment. Drove the car home, still drift to the right. 2nd trip, dealer tried swab tires from other x3, and rebalance the tire, still had the problem. Dealer was told by BMW to try to adjust the camber. New part needed to ordered from Germany with est 2 weeks wait. I will give it 3rd try after the part arrives. I am ready for file Lemon lawsuit now... this is ridiculous to have this kind of problem on a brand new car.
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      08-27-2011, 05:12 PM   #19
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Could it be because of electric power steering???
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      08-27-2011, 06:03 PM   #20
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Quote:
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Could it be because of electric power steering???
Shouldn't be a factor. I have owned two other cars with EPS and no issues.
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      08-29-2011, 10:45 AM   #21
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Update: My rig now has 1300mi on it and the alignment drift has subsided. It's definately road crown, as the car drifts to the left in the left highway lane and drifts to the right on other roads. I suspect the tires are starting to get broken in, as well as, some additional sag with the suspension.

The alignement on this rig is interesting. If they need to adjust camber, a new steering knuckle needs to be ordered. There are two seperate knuckles for a + or - camber.

Good luck getting your car(s) to drive straight!
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      09-08-2011, 06:33 PM   #22
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I have the same issue; my service told me that the electronmechanical steering was slightly biased to the right intentionally to prevent the car drifting on to incoming traffic in case of the driver falling asleep or passing out. Anyone heard this from the dealer? It makes sense since the drift is very slightly.
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