I switched wheels on my '02 330i and the car no longer tracks well and bump steers with the slightest changes in the road surface. I switched out my stock 17x7 (47 mm offset) wheels to 18x8 (40 mm offset) with Michelin PS2s, 225/40/zr18. Overall diameter and centers appear to be relatively close and I've still have good wheel well and suspension clearances but the handling gets a little squirrelly. Any thoughts on the problem and potential solutions would be appreciated
E46 Front end tracking problem
- Thread starter steelpier
- Start date
![[:)]](/images/smilies/smile.png "Smile [:)]")
I ccan check it but this is all these guys do as well as set up race cars (Performance Alignment) and they are usually pretty good. Funny thing is the car tracks fine with the 7" wide wheels. I was wondering if I have too much contact patch with 8" wheels on the front but a 225 mm wide tire should work; one would think? Maybe I just need a heavier steering damper with the wider (and probably heavier) wheel?
Last edited:
hmmmm...i wonder if that too is the problem i am having. i have 235/35/19 fr and 265/30/19 rear and i noticed last night when slowing down that the wheel would pull to the right and if i adjust, pull to the left. This has happened a couple of times, but i dont think its an alignment issue since I have no problems while driving.
Are you guys sure you're not just tramlining with the wider tires? I did notice it slightly more when I went from 225's to 235's all around, especially at slower speeds and approaching intersections where the road is more rutted and you're more likely to tramline.
Otherwise, it sounds like possibly control arm or bushings going out. If the tires are properly balanced, sounds lilke the alignment shoulda covered all that tho.
GL!
Otherwise, it sounds like possibly control arm or bushings going out. If the tires are properly balanced, sounds lilke the alignment shoulda covered all that tho.
GL!
![[thumb]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_thumb.gif "Thumbs Up [thumb]"){kind=icon}
Hey gearheads and bimmer dreamers... The only time I've had this problem was originally when my wonderful Control Arm Bushings wore out, wet roads and dry roads became a challenge and a battle just to keep all four tires on the surface. The other occasion I recall dealing with something like you describe my tires were over inflated. See if any of these things hold or ring true in your situation. Thanks for listening, I'll go back to sleep now... Happy Motoring.[driving2]
I guess its possibly all due to tramlining. Its just that its such a dramatic change. The PS2s are much more aggressive than the OEM Eagle RSAs. That combined with the plus sized wheels makes the car skate on alot of the roads we have here. Sure, there is plenty of stick for spirited driving but the car's tendency to wander requires more attention and input adjustments for the daily and rush hour driving. I guess I'm looking for a way to get that Teutonic car-on-rails tracking feeling back.
The control arm bushing thing is an easy fix at any local independent or if you have a good background in shop repairs. Bimmers usually have to have their front control arm bushings replaced between 35K-50K. Mine actually lasted to 85K. It cost about $150.00 with parts and labor. Happy Motoring.[driving2]