So, I took my Countryman All4 for service and the dealer said they will check my alignment. So, they said it was slightly off and need to adjust which is fine, but I thought the car drives perfectly fine. After the alignment, I feel that my steering wheel is bit loose than before. Has anyone experiencing the same thing or does it related to the alignment? Thanks!

 

My Clubman felt the same before and after a 4-wheel alignment. Maybe they left something loose under the car?

 

So take it back and have them check it out....

 

Bit more "loose" how, as in easier to steer ? Maybe you just have properly inflated tires now ?

 

Yeah, easy to steer which feels like driving a Toyota is exactly Not what I want. Also check the tires pressure, all set exact the same on all 4. I already left the dealer a message, but have not heard back from them. Will call them again tomorrow. If there is nothing wrong, don't fix it is 100% true.

 

Maybe you were driving in Sport mode before the alignment, which makes less power assistance and requires more driver effort. And after the alignment you're not in Sport mode, which makes driver steering effort easier. I don't know how this would be possible; just saying that is one thing that changes steering effort/feel. Sport mode can be engaged by pressing the Sport button near the gear shift, at least on my car.

 

Maybe they rotated your tires, putting tires with more tread up front. Tires with more tread are going to feel a little squirmy and react slower to steering inputs. Even putting tires with a lot of tread on the back will affect how the steering feels. So check if the amount of tread between the front and rear wheels is very different.

 

Maybe there was an increase of front toe settings.....

Have them put it back on the machine and this time, get a print out....I always ask for one showing before and after adjustments.

Much like BlackStone labs doing a test of your engine oil, it helps me to track what suspension components I may have to replace and if it's time to flatten a mushroomed strut tower before the next alignment ( 1st Generation issue )

 

Thanks for all your suggestions. Make a long story short, I finally went back to the dealership, they rechecked the alignment said everything is good. Steering wheel don't related to the alignment. I have them rotated the tires too and the car feels better than last time. However, still think before any of these adjustment was perfect. Also found out today, at Mini, if you don't request for the tires rotation, they won't do it for you. Thought 1st service besides oil change, tires rotation are common, I guess not for Mini.

 

Was there any programing done while in that first appointment. If there were updates, some of that may have had to do with steering data.

 

Flee, when I asked for the tire rotation, they were going to charge $40 for it...so I have been rotating it myself...

Steven