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      11-16-2021, 01:41 PM   #1
Bruceking07
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Lexus Wheel Alignment for BMW?

Hi my friend has a friend that works at a Lexus dealership and he offer to do my wheel alignment for $100. The machine Lexus has isnt specific to only Lexus cars right? It should be able to program to do BMWs?
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      11-16-2021, 02:45 PM   #2
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No programming needed. Alignment has to do with adjusting the physical geometry of the suspension. An alignment lift is an alignment lift and will work for any vehicle that fits on it.
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      11-17-2021, 09:09 AM   #3
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Great thank you.

Another question, the clamp that goes on your wheel during an alignment does it clamp onto the rim as well? I am afraid that it will scratch my new rims that I recently installed.
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      11-17-2021, 10:38 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bruceking07 View Post
Great thank you.

Another question, the clamp that goes on your wheel during an alignment does it clamp onto the rim as well? I am afraid that it will scratch my new rims that I recently installed.
It depends. Some grab on solely to the tire and others have contact points with the rim. I believe the ones that contact the rim typically have rubber feet to prevent scratching, but someone can correct me if I'm wrong.
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      11-17-2021, 11:59 AM   #5
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Isn't there a BMW "procedure" that involves ballasting the car? Not saying it can't be done elsewhere, but something he may not be aware of?
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      11-17-2021, 12:33 PM   #6
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Originally Posted by thejeremyman9 View Post
Isn't there a BMW "procedure" that involves ballasting the car? Not saying it can't be done elsewhere, but something he may not be aware of?
I found this, is this what you're referencing (this specifically is for my car, a F36 so it might vary between models):

"Vehicle with complete equipment for normal operation with: 2 x 68 kg on front seats (seats in centre position); 1x 68 kg on 2nd row of seats; 1x 26 kg in luggage compartment (centre) and full fuel tank."
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      11-17-2021, 12:52 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Itogliano View Post
I found this, is this what you're referencing (this specifically is for my car, a F36 so it might vary between models):

"Vehicle with complete equipment for normal operation with: 2 x 68 kg on front seats (seats in centre position); 1x 68 kg on 2nd row of seats; 1x 26 kg in luggage compartment (centre) and full fuel tank."
Yes, so that the alignment is done with weight representative of "normal operation" and not an empty car.
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      11-17-2021, 01:15 PM   #8
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Originally Posted by thejeremyman9 View Post
Yes, so that the alignment is done with weight representative of "normal operation" and not an empty car.
I can't imagine that's very important though since "normal" can be so different. e.g. for me, "normal" would be me in the driver's seat with no one else in the car, nothing in the back seat and no luggage.
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      11-17-2021, 01:23 PM   #9
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I can't imagine that's very important though since "normal" can be so different. e.g. for me, "normal" would be me in the driver's seat with no one else in the car, nothing in the back seat and no luggage.
I'm not going to judge how important it is because i can't say quantitatively how much the weight affects the suspension geometry, I'm just saying its a consideration for OP. I assume its done that way so that with more or less weight you will still be within spec, as opposed to setting the alignment at one extreme or the other (unloaded or fully loaded) such that going to the other extreme will put you out of spec.
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      11-17-2021, 02:10 PM   #10
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I can't imagine most dealerships going through the process of weighting the seats or filling the tank with gas. I've only had one dealership alignment and they did not fill the tank or require me to do it first.

My guess is they throw it up on a machine/rack no different than any other dealership, repair garage, or tire shop. Depending on the dealership some of those other places may have more advanced alignment equipment than the dealership.
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      11-17-2021, 02:12 PM   #11
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I can't imagine most dealerships going through the process of weighting the seats or filling the tank with gas. I've only had one dealership alignment and they did not fill the tank or require me to do it first.

My guess is they throw it up on a machine/rack no different than any other dealership, repair garage, or tire shop. Depending on the dealership some of those other places may have more advanced alignment equipment than the dealership.
Gas tank no, they probably will not fill it, but the other things they should do.
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      11-17-2021, 06:09 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by thejeremyman9 View Post
Gas tank no, they probably will not fill it, but the other things they should do.
Sure they should do it...there's plenty of things that dealerships should do but don't...

OP that price isn't bad for a dealership but if it's out of your way they're not really doing you any favors. Your local firestone will have a new hunter alignment machine and it cost around 89$ for a 1 year alignment or 180$ for lifetime alignment.
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      11-18-2021, 12:50 PM   #13
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Originally Posted by quakerroatmeal View Post
Sure they should do it...there's plenty of things that dealerships should do but don't...
Again I'm merely pointing this out so OP is aware, making no claims as to how necessary it is, what quantitative impact it has if it is or is not done, how likely a dealership is to do it, or whether or not OP should go to the Lexus dealer.
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      11-18-2021, 01:35 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Desertnate View Post
I can't imagine most dealerships going through the process of weighting the seats or filling the tank with gas. I've only had one dealership alignment and they did not fill the tank or require me to do it first....
I didn't do the kg to lb arithmetic, but I don't think many shops will jack around ~500lb (?) in & out of your car. I also don't think they ask about large heavy things in your trunk which might mess their work up.
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      11-18-2021, 02:25 PM   #15
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I didn't do the kg to lb arithmetic, but I don't think many shops will jack around ~500lb (?) in & out of your car. I also don't think they ask about large heavy things in your trunk which might mess their work up.
See post above. Not saying who will or wont, just sharing information and saying the procedure exists. OP and everyone else can decide whether or not this matters to them when they want to get an alignment done.
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      11-18-2021, 03:33 PM   #16
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^ Understood. I think I am just reinforcing your notion. ^
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      11-18-2021, 07:40 PM   #17
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Having worked for a dealer, the machine that we had was a Hunter. The software had basically 99% of the vehicles on the road, with each having all the specifics suggested/required by each manufacturer. How much weight, where to place the weight, where to adjust, how to adjust, what special tools, etc. was all available.
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      11-19-2021, 04:48 AM   #18
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Quote:
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Having worked for a dealer, the machine that we had was a Hunter. The software had basically 99% of the vehicles on the road, with each having all the specifics suggested/required by each manufacturer. How much weight, where to place the weight, where to adjust, how to adjust, what special tools, etc. was all available.
Did your shop ever "weight" the cars as instructed, or was it left to the owner to bring the car in properly weighted & balanced?
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      01-12-2022, 11:24 PM   #19
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For bmws with trailing arm rear suspension the weights were Very important. toe changed dramatically with even a 1/2 difference.

It isn’t as critical anymore and they have specs for normal and weighted they can use now on modern cars.
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