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MrPT
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Post by MrPT » Sun Jan 13, 2019 4:43 pm

I’m in the process of changing the front spring perch on one of my KWs. There is a lot of play between the top mount and the top of the piston rod:



Link, in case the embedded vid doesn’t work: https://vimeo.com/311074038

I’ve ordered a strut nut socket and will wait until I have it before I try and disassemble the strut.

The piston rod doesn’t move relative to the spring seat and the nut isn’t loose. Am I right in thinking that this is play due to wear in the top mount bearing and not just under-tightening of the nut?

It would make sense as the struts were upgraded at about 45k but the original top mounts were reused, which means that they are nearly 70k old now.

TIA. :)
2008 Z4MC: heavy wheels | crap suspension | skittish rear end | wobbly engine | not enough induction noise | underwhelming turn in | inconsistent braking | lardy battery | chubby steering wheel
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Post by john-e89 » Sun Jan 13, 2019 5:19 pm

Looks like it doesn’t it. Once wear starts it quickly escalates as it’s allowed to move more and more. But you know that. :thumbsup:
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Post by TomK » Sun Jan 13, 2019 5:43 pm

That's as you suspect surely the bearing I'd say. £10 or so each I think so worth changing anyway at that mileage. It's the only part really of the top mount that wears at all I think.
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Post by MrPT » Sun Jan 13, 2019 6:15 pm

Good stuff - have ordered a couple of replacement bearings.

Thanks both. :thumbsup:
2008 Z4MC: heavy wheels | crap suspension | skittish rear end | wobbly engine | not enough induction noise | underwhelming turn in | inconsistent braking | lardy battery | chubby steering wheel
2006 Z4 2.5si: gone

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Post by MrPT » Sat Jan 19, 2019 1:20 pm

This is a bit sad, but the process has led to the discovery of two favourite tools. :D
F66ECD2D-1E8C-4DEB-9D8A-C75019C27E41.jpeg
F66ECD2D-1E8C-4DEB-9D8A-C75019C27E41.jpeg (277.43 KiB) Viewed 1217 times
A diesel injector socket and a “rowing spanner”, which is a double-ended 10 and 13mm offset spanner with a nice, tactile shape. Very satisfying to use.

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Post by Argenta » Sat Jan 19, 2019 1:53 pm

The right tools does the job!

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Post by Spaniarduk » Sat Jan 19, 2019 7:34 pm

MrPT, ingenious! :thumbsup:
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Post by bradz » Sat Jan 19, 2019 8:31 pm

When you buy v3's new they come with top mounts.
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Post by MrPT » Sun Jan 20, 2019 12:16 am

bradz wrote: Sat Jan 19, 2019 8:31 pm When you buy v3's new they come with top mounts.
I’ve gotten to the point where I’ve realised that now, cheers! Disassembled the top of the strut assembly and at first thought that someone had fitted non-M top mounts, but then looked up pics of the V3s and saw that they come with their own hats. I thought the OEM hats were re-used for some reason - perhaps because people have retrofitted the lower part so that they work with adjustable plates?

I’m struggling to find the right replacement part on the KW site, but even if I do I’ll torque up the 22mm nut properly and see if it is actually bearing play before ordering it.
Spaniarduk wrote: Sat Jan 19, 2019 7:34 pm MrPT, ingenious! :thumbsup:
It really isn’t, it’s just that the official BMW strut socket tool is about £25 and the injector socket is basically the same thing for a fraction of the price. Have seen people just hit these nuts with an impact gun and hope for the best. :?
2008 Z4MC: heavy wheels | crap suspension | skittish rear end | wobbly engine | not enough induction noise | underwhelming turn in | inconsistent braking | lardy battery | chubby steering wheel
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Post by Spaniarduk » Sun Jan 20, 2019 7:55 am

MrPT wrote: Sun Jan 20, 2019 12:16 amIt really isn’t, it’s just that the official BMW strut socket tool is about £25 and the injector socket is basically the same thing for a fraction of the price
Any injector socket? Are they all the same size? Wjat size is the nut at the top of the strut?
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Post by MrPT » Sun Jan 20, 2019 4:18 pm

Spaniarduk wrote: Sun Jan 20, 2019 7:55 am
MrPT wrote: Sun Jan 20, 2019 12:16 amIt really isn’t, it’s just that the official BMW strut socket tool is about £25 and the injector socket is basically the same thing for a fraction of the price
Any injector socket? Are they all the same size? Wjat size is the nut at the top of the strut?
It’s a Laser 3297 22mm diesel injector socket. £9-10 from eBay.

That’s for the KWs - I’m not sure what size the OEM nut is. RealOEM says M16 so maybe 24mm.
2008 Z4MC: heavy wheels | crap suspension | skittish rear end | wobbly engine | not enough induction noise | underwhelming turn in | inconsistent braking | lardy battery | chubby steering wheel
2006 Z4 2.5si: gone

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Post by Spaniarduk » Sun Jan 20, 2019 11:12 pm

MrPT, :thumbsup:
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Post by BMWZ4MC » Mon Jan 21, 2019 4:39 am

How did the problem manifest itself MrPT?
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Post by MrPT » Mon Jan 21, 2019 1:36 pm

BMWZ4MC wrote: Mon Jan 21, 2019 4:39 am How did the problem manifest itself MrPT?
I have a bit of a front end rattle when going over speed bumps etc and I've been going through the process of checking everything. No noticeable play in any strut brace, suspension or ARB nuts/bolts/links/bushes, but it's all due a refresh anyway. I also found one, partially backed-out engine mount bolt but I don't think that this is contributing to the noise.

Unrelated to the above, I'm replacing the lower spring perch as a few of the plastic tabs had broken off (£30 for a new one!) and I noticed the top hat wobble during disassembly. The 22mm nut seemed tight when I first checked it, but since then I've obtained the proper tools for removing and torquing the nut properly so will re-assemble and check for play again. I suspect someone gave it a few blasts with an impact wrench during installation and it's never been properly tight.

I wonder whether these bearings are "lifetime", from KWs perspective, because it doesn't look as if you can buy replacements on their site. Either that or they only replace them during a refurb. They are properly crimped using proprietary means, so I don't know why I ever thought their replacement would be a DIY job!
2008 Z4MC: heavy wheels | crap suspension | skittish rear end | wobbly engine | not enough induction noise | underwhelming turn in | inconsistent braking | lardy battery | chubby steering wheel
2006 Z4 2.5si: gone

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Post by tomscott » Mon Jan 21, 2019 1:44 pm

:thumbsup: Great work

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