tracking?

[e30-320i]

i have just gone to my local tyre fitter to get my tracking sorted as i've just fitted a new wishbone' but the guy behind the counter says they cannot do it as it requires a special machine and they need to put weights in the car(i think thats what he meant) is this correct.if so does any-one know where i can get it done in the suffolk/essex area.
thanks

[town325i]

normally they use four wheel alighnment these days and it causes a problem for them if the car is lowered they cant fit the gauges on the rear wheels and they cant see the gauges to set it correctly as for putting weights in the car thats a new one to me but it do's not mean they dont do it ive just never heard of it

[e30-320i]

the guy didn't know the car was lowered it was parked around the corner.as soon as i told him what car "can't do it"

[StuBeeDoo]

Invest £70 in a Trakrite and do it yourself. It will pay for itself with 2 uses.

[Brianmoooore]

There's absolutely no difference in setting the track on a BMW from any other make of car. It's just that BMW, being perfectionists, specify that the car should be at it's normal running height first - hence the weights to simulate driver, passengers and boot load.
Invest 5p in a length of string, and set it to 2mm toe in.

[e30-320i]

Thanks for the replies guys. Brian's way sounds more my style i had thought about doin it with a tape measure.

[Jay07]

I just had mine done;




I went to kwik fit first only to find out they don't do tracking on BMW's ??? - My mechanic recommended another place I forgot to ask about weighing the car down! But they didn't. I'm glad i finally got it done I don't get so much wobble with the alpina reps and i was getting ridiculous inside tyre wear.




The test showed that the camber (i think) is off on the back wheels - The axle is fixed right so is it just the case of leaving that?

Oh yes before someone else says it - Yes i'm a sad-O for taking pictures while getting new tyres!