Advice please - Control arm bushes knackered .. job done

[Ewazix]

Whilst having a routine nose around I spotted that one of the front suspension control arm rear bushes is basically breaking up, it looks like the outer ring at the moment and I've not noticed any wobbles but it's clearly knackered so I'll be changing the pair (only about 1k miles since the MOT!).

First up ignoring poly bushes which I'm not a fan of - is the trend away from original fluid filled BMW items since they have a reputation for early failure to solids? and which are recommended, I've been searching but things looked mixed between Lemforder and Mehle?

Also looking at the front anti roll bar bushes they look baggy to me, any thoughts please?

 

[ben g]

Those are the front wishbone, rear bushes. Also known as lollipop bushes on here.

I got mine replaced with Superpro polybushes on the recommendation of a wheel alignment place (probably because they are a superpro dealer) and they feel fine.

Meyle get a good rep on here so i'd most likely go with them, although I thought their ones were polyurethane?

ARB bushes, again Meyle are fine, though i'll be upgrading to powerflex polybushes.

Do you have normal or sport suspension? If sport, you need 25mm front ARB bushes and 19mm rear. Bare that in mind as it's very confusing if buying online.

 

[Ewazix]

Cheers for the thoughts, it's normal suspension but I didn't realise the bushes were different so that's worth knowing as well

 

[Toe-side]

Move to poly.
You won't be disappointed.
http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=46749

 

[Ewazix]

Move to poly.
You won't be disappointed.
http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=46749

Thats a nice write-up thanks

 

[ben g]

Ah ok, normal suspension (se?) you need 24mm front ARB and 18mm rear ARB. God knows whether that 1mm makes much difference, but BMW obviously though the upgraded arb's were worth it :lol:

 

[Ewazix]

Ah ok, normal suspension (se?) you need 24mm front ARB and 18mm rear ARB. God knows whether that 1mm makes much difference, but BMW obviously though the upgraded arb's were worth it :lol:

Cheers Ben

 

[cherrym]

I have black polybushes fitted here and falcon 453 tyres on my 07 2.5is sport which has transformed the handling.Would recommend this for grip and wear.

 

[Ewazix]

First-up a big 'thanks' for the advice guys job done and very pleased ....

So slightly ambitiously I set about fitting the new ARB's and front wishbone lollypops after work, well it took a bit longer than expected. Ironically the old lollypops came off smoothly with a three leg puller and new ones went on with washing-up liquid, and ARB's were pre-cut so were a doddle, but I spent nearly as long getting the damned belly plate and engine undercover back on!

It turned out one lollypop was really pulling apart and the ARB's wern't bad but a bit oval. I've just come back from a shake-down and have to say I didn't expect such a big improvement as I hadn't noticed anything sloppy, but the new intermediate solids have added real tightness with no noticeable harshness so it's a big for ditching the original fluid filled lollypops.

 

[sw4nny]

Move to poly.
You won't be disappointed.
http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=46749

As he says, did the the front rear wishbones with powerflex purple last weekend, an improvement for sure

 

[Toe-side]

First-up a big 'thanks' for the advice guys job done and very pleased ....

So slightly ambitiously I set about fitting the new ARB's and front wishbone lollypops after work, well it took a bit longer than expected. Ironically the old lollypops came off smoothly with a three leg puller and new ones went on with washing-up liquid, and ARB's were pre-cut so were a doddle, but I spent nearly as long getting the damned belly plate and engine undercover back on!

It turned out one lollypop was really pulling apart and the ARB's wern't bad but a bit oval. I've just come back from a shake-down and have to say I didn't expect such a big improvement as I hadn't noticed anything sloppy, but the new intermediate solids have added real tightness with no noticeable harshness so it's a big for ditching the original fluid filled lollypops.

Good news! ......pleased it went so well.............next step poly! :wink: