e36 tramlining badly!

[eduardope]

I have a 1998 328i that I have recently done some work on. Most recently I have replaced the front control arm bushings, the rear trailing arm Bushings the front wheel bearings, the tie rods, and the ball joints. Since then, i have noticed a dramatic increase in tramlining (wandering on uneven roads) with my 17 inch wheels and summer tires (yokaohama AVS es-100 225/45/17). I suspect that the tramlining has alsways been there but it is much more noticeable since I have tightened everything up. From what I have read on numerous forums, this is a common occurrence when you go with the tire/wheel combination I have. Some of the suggestions I have read include changing the suspension geometry to the M3 settings. From what I understand, this can be done simply by adding a 1996+ upper strut bearing or going with adjustable castor/camber plates. Will this work or are there other things to consider?? (eg- will the '93 m3 strut bearings work with the stock struts & springs? Do I need to go to offset control arm bushings? shoudl I just go to thinner tires? etc. . . ). I have also read that adjusting the steering rack can be a remedy as well. Anyone have any ideas??

[mankiks323i00]

Not sure but in my opinion maybe your tires are worn down were they are acustumed to the previous suspension geometry and are not worn to the new suspension components. I dont think you have to go to smaller tires i have 18 inchers on my 323.

[wavewuver]

I also had a tramlining problem that was most evident on rough or rutted pavements. I thought it was the tires, which were almost worn out. I was running Toyo Proxes T1-S's. The first thing I did was bring it in for a 4-wheel alignment. My rear wheel settings were way out of spec. They could not do the front as it needed ball joints. So, I had the ball joints done and then the alignment completed, and even with the worn tires, that work alone did away with my tramlining problem. My tires were so worn that the mechanic warned me that the steel cord was showing through on a couple of them. Thats pretty dangerous.

If I were you, make sure you have the alignment done at a first rate shop that knows what they are doing. I suspect that is the core of your problem because it sounds like you have replaced all of the critical front end parts. Good luck

[KUTCH]

98 328is- when I put 17s on, the steering was worse than a 1947 Farmall tractor...I installed M3 upper bearings/ bilstiens/ H&R springs... Now only on the worst of roads can I feel a slight leaning to one direction or another. I still have to finish up like you did with all other suspension components... As many M pieces you can fit under that car the better- though there are a few you should steer clear of.

[ettsn]

Tramlining is almost always because of toe. Have your total toe set to 0 to -0.5 and it should improve dramatically.

-Paul

[RobertBMW]

Originally posted by KUTCH
98 328is- when I put 17s on, the steering was worse than a 1947 Farmall tractor...I installed M3 upper bearings/ bilstiens/ H&R springs... Now only on the worst of roads can I feel a slight leaning to one direction or another. I still have to finish up like you did with all other suspension components... As many M pieces you can fit under that car the better- though there are a few you should steer clear of.

When you put on the M3 upper strut bearings, did you use the same 328is spring hat or did you use M3 hat ?

After I installed 96+ M3 upper strut bearings, the strut wouldn't mount because the oval end of the 328is upper spring hat was hitting the side of the shock tower.. Only thing I could do was use a grinder to remove that big lip on one side of the spring hat..
I think the 96+ M3 spring hats are completely round. Which spring hats did you use?

[KUTCH]

/

[RobertBMW]

That is weird. You are the second person to tell me that.
There is no way my 328is spring hats will work with the 96+ M3 mounts. I had to grind off about 1/4inch off the big lip on the side.

Hrm..

[blkongry]

I had a friend here at work switch his 325 over to M3 springs, and he had to change out his spring hats... there is a difference. The upper strut bearings others posted that they installed must not have been for an M3 application.