15.2 Front axle faults

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2007 BMW 530xi, 2007 BMW 525xi, 2006 BMW 530xi, and 2006 BMW 525xi. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

FRONT AXLE FAULTS CHART

Fault	Cause	Remedy
1. Toe deviation	a) Vehicle not in normal position	a) Correct height level
	b) Tie rod(s) bent	b) Replace tie rod(s)
	c) Tie rod ball joints worn	c) Replace tie rod(s)
	d) Rubber mount in control arm defective	d) Replace control arm
2. Camber deviation: The camber is fixed during the design stage and cannot be adjusted.	a) Rubber mount in control arm defective	a) Replace control arm
	b) Control arm deformed	b) Replace control arm
	c) Spring strut deformed	c) Replace spring strut
	d) Traction strut worn	d) Replace control arm
	e) Spring deflection too great	e) Replace coil spring, height level
	f) Front axle carrier deformed	f) Replace front axle carrier
	g) Spring strut mount deformed	g) Repair forward structure
	h) Distortion in the floor assembly (engine bracket)	h) Repair body
3. Castor deviation: The castor is fixed during the design stage and cannot be adjusted.	a) Rubber mount for tension/traction strut defective	a) Replace rubber mount
	b) Tension/traction strut deformed	b) Replace tension/traction strut
	c) Control arm deformed	c) Replace control arm
	d) Spring strut deformed	d) Replace spring strut
	e) Wheelhouse deformed (spring strut mount)	e) Repair forward structure
	f) Distortion in the floor assembly (engine bracket)	f) Repair body
4. Toe-differential angle deviation	Requirement: camber and castor are correct
	a) Tie rods unevenly adjusted	a) Set wheel toe on left and right to identical values
5. Wheel displacement deviation	Requirement: Front wheels have same single toe in relation to the geometrical axis
	a) Front axle carrier deformed	a) Replace front axle carrier
	b) Engine bracket deformed	b) Repair body
	c) Control arm deformed	c) Replace control arm
	d) Tension/traction strut deformed	d) Replace tension/traction strut