Alignment Procedures: Notes

The following procedure is an outline to follow based on BMW procedures. The actual alignment procedures will vary depending upon the alignment equipment being used. Refer to the alignment equipment manufacturers procedures for specific information. The steps listed below should be followed as closely as possible to perform a quality alignment.

• Vehicle Inspection  - The vehicle inspection should include a road test before and after the alignment. Note any concerns during the pre-alignment road test and verify that the concern has been rectified during the post-alignment road test.
• Install Specified Weight  - Install Specified weight in vehicle and compensate for fuel by adding extra weight if needed.
• Install Alignment Sensors  - Install alignment sensors as per the alignment equipment manufacturers recommended procedures.
• Compensate Sensors  - Depending upon the alignment sensors being used, compensation may not be necessary. Compensation may require the vehicle to be lifted from the alignment rack. If so, be sure to remove the pins from the front and rear slip plates. If the sensors do not need to be compensated, the next step can be ignored.
• Lower Vehicle and Jounce  - Make sure the pins are removed from the slip plates. Lower the vehicle back onto the alignment rack and jounce the vehicle. This will insure that the suspension has settled.
• Check Ride Height  - Check ride height using metric tape measure. Always check ride height after compensating the sensors. This will avoid having to check the ride height twice.
• Perform Alignment  - Refer to the equipment manufacturers instructions for the next steps of the alignment.

When performing an alignment of a vehicle equipped with air suspension (EHC), disable the system by removing the fuse for the air supply system. This will insure that the ride height will stay consistent.