'06 Mz3 front end repair ?

[9296D21B14]

My Mz3iT 2.0l w/ATX got hit in the rear about a month ago. Body work at the dealer has been completed and seems ok. Also affected was the left front axle, wheel, and suspension due to a secondary impact with a tree. Replaced were the left front lower control arm, strut, outer tie rod, rim, tire, and axle assembly. A new tire was also put on the right rim. After alignment, the car still drifts to the right at any speed, accelerating, braking, or steady speed. The front tires were swapped from side to side and the drift still took place. The shop stated they would put the car on the frame machine and take measurements and make corrections to the control arm (I think.) Does this sound right? Can this even be repaired at all such that the car tracks straight as it did before the accident? What else could be causing the drift to the right after the initial repairs and what should I be asking the repair people at the dealer?

This has not been much fun to say the least.

Thanks.

 

[RH+G]

Ask for the results of the alignment. Either the body shop is doing a half #@$%! job and not fixing the car right. Or the alignment shop aint doing their job right.

 

[javacontour]

It's entirely possible the pull is from the "odd" tire, as a new tire is probably different.

I had some "newer" tires on one side of my car, and it pulled. When I put them both on the same axle, the pull went away.

So, see how the pull is affected by rotating your tires around.

 

[9296D21B14]

Got the car back yesterday evening and the drift or pull to the right was basically gone. They stated that they adjusted the camber by 1/2 degree by pulling the control arm with the frame machine.

Now, depending on the crown or slope of the road, the car will naturally drift either right or left or stay straight if I take my hands off of the wheel for several seconds. Java, the two new tires were both on the front axles. RH+G, the front end guy seemed pretty straight up and knowledgeable but I did not ask for the written results. Good point. He also stated that they sometimes have to make the same adjustment on brand new cars from the factory.

My plan was to never have a dealer touch my car unless it was a warranty issue I could not avoid and because of the 16 y/o uninsured driver who caused the wreck the dealer had it for exactly one month at an expense of $6,600 to my uninsured motorist coverage. Diminshed value, anybody? Maybe a thorough detailing this weekend will wash away some of the dealer stench and overall sense of being violated the wreck and the repair both have caused. I watched the car wash dude work on it for a few minutes and finally had to let him know it was my car after seeing him drag a long handled brush over the roof. So much for the two bucket method.

Anyway, thanks for the replies.

 

[RH+G]

Quote:

---

They stated that they adjusted the camber by 1/2 degree by pulling the control arm with the frame machine.

---

Not possible. I have a feeling that the body shop did some shotty work

Quote:

---

Now, depending on the crown or slope of the road, the car will naturally drift either right or left or stay straight if I take my hands off of the wheel for several seconds.

---

Thats normal.
You should have still asked for the alignment specs cause a car that drives straight does not mean it is aligned.