Alignment - Checking and Setting Revisions

91bmw07

Group 32
Steering and
Wheel Alignment


Bulletin Number
32 02 91 (3263)


Woodcliff Lake, NJ
May 1991
Service Engineering


SUBJECT: Revised Conditions for Checking and Setting Wheel Alignment

MODELS: All


Situation: In order to more accurately check and adjust wheel alignment, a revision has been made to the standard conditions required for a wheel alignment.

The revision is that the vehicle is loaded as described in the Technical Data, Page 32-100, and then the loading is adjusted, if necessary, to bring the vehicle height to specification. This eliminates any camber or toe variations due to ride height being different than design specification.

Procedure: Drive the vehicle onto the alignment rack, remove the lock pins from the turntables and slip plates, and load with weight bags as per Technical Data, Page 32-100. Measure the ride height from the bottom of the rim flange vertically to the bottom of the wheel opening. Check the ride height against the specification in the Technical Data, sections 31 and 33. If the ride height varies from the specification listed (disregard the tolerance), add or remove weight as necessary to bring the ride height to the listed specification. (Note: vehicles equipped with self-levelling suspension must have the levelling system powered up. Set rear ride height by adjusting self-levelling to proper specification.)


When the ride height has been adjusted to specification, check and adjust alignment as required.

For your convenience, attached is a chart showing weight requirements for normal loading and ride height specifications for all current models, as equipped when sold. For vehicles equipped with optional wheels, please refer to ride height specifications, sections 31 and 33 of Technical Data.

Note: Specifications are not available for vehicles equipped with non-approved or non-BMW wheels, or for vehicles with modified suspensions or body parts.

Warranty
Status: Information only.


Attachment to S.I. 32 02 91 (3263)


STANDARD VEHICLE LOAD


Model


3 Series Convertibles All others

6 Series

8 Series

All M Cars


^ 68 kg (150 lbs.) on each front ^ 68 kg (150 lbs.) on each front seat (seats in middle position)
seat (seats in middle position)

^ 14 kg (30 lbs.) in middle of trunk ^ 68 kg (150 lbs.) on middle of

^ full tank of fuel rear seat

^ 21 kg (46 lbs.) in middle of trunk

^ full tank of fuel


RIDE HEIGHT SPECIFICATIONS (in mm)

(Standard Equipment Only)


E30 E30 E30 E30
Sedan Convertible 325iX M3

Front 565 570 565 556
Rear 505 510 510 529


E31

Front 598
Rear 569


E32

Front 588
Rear 522


E34 E34

525i/535i M5

Front 588 596

Rear 522 545


E36

Front 576

Rear 523