Mine is not anymore. Went for an alignment on 1/12, and the car came back like it was when I bought it, wheel to the right. Took it back 1/19, and it's better, but still off.

The way you can tell is the horizontal line running under the L. I'm annoyed but will live with it until I put my all seasons back on with the OE rims (I have lifetime alignment), because now, my camber has gone positive on the RF. I have a feeling this has something to do with it. Meaning, when I went in 1/12, the steering was fine, but the alignment was off.

My wife's on the other hand, put on a decent amount of mileage and hit tons of potholes, 82k, come in and everything was still green, and wheel perfectly centered.

My hunch is this, and someone out there can likely correct me. Chances are, the wheel has never been touched from the factory, i.e. taking it off and moving it relative to the splines. I think the off center has to do with the tie rods being adjusted so that the car is within spec for the alignment, not the wheel centering. Meaning alignment specs > wheel centered.

 

 

Part of the alignment job is centering the steering wheel. Take it back or to a different location that has a competent tech.

 

I have all my service done by my Lexus dealer. I think I've only once had the wheel slightly off center after an alignment. Took it back and they were quick to correct it. Don't accept the wheel off center after an alignment.

 

100% Correct! I too am particular about my steering wheel being centered. Going down the highway on the center lane (that is not pitched very much to the right or left) should show your steering wheel as being centered. At the beginning of every alignment they should have the steering centered and held in place before any suspension changes are made. I agree that you can ask to sit in the car (as that also influences the adjustments). however I doubt they will accommodate you. Good luck and let us know how you make out.

 

You guys are all right--here is the confirmation. Turning the tie rods the same amount in the same direction does not affect the alignment but will alter the wheel, if you know what you are doing so as to not affect the toe.

I think the #1 concern of Firestone is the toe--this changed on my 2nd alignment to a better spec, and the wheel did slightly improve where the wheel was not as much off center. But I get it, that is not their priority.

Interesting too that BMWs are slightly off to the left from the factory--I have seen this in my car, and in almost every loaner too. Knew that they weighted the vehicle but not that there is a level that's put on the wheel.

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showp...6&postcount=11

 

 

All good info, I won't worry in the near future, but would like to take it to another shop. Going back to the very very beginning where I got the car used, everything was off. When they were done, they explained the rear camber to me which were like -1.8 on both sides. What doesn't make any sense is the next 3 alignments show only the right rear as out of spec. How would the rear left suddenly be in spec? Also, my RF is now -1, what happened? Would be curious to simply see the results on another machine, and also insist on centering the wheel again....

I agree where I would never take my BMW to Firestone, as dealers have their own procedure. But I am ok with the LS and my wife's car. If for anything else, the BMW dealer adjusts a vehicle that is all green, to the middle of each setting. They also break things, deny they did, and made me go to the BBB as well lol (the ripped out my rear right brake sensor wire (indie explained the nut can be super frozen, and when using a 1/2" ratchet, it can give way and the handle absolutely crosses the path of the wire), and I had just replaced it myself and driven 80 miles when it happened--they claimed it was like that, wrong answer).