Indy = independent garage, one that is outside the BMW franchise. Generally the smarter ones choose to specialise in a particular marque. There is a bit more money in it if they can get a good reputation. An 'Indy' in this context is normally a garage that has specialised in BMWs.
Handling
- Thread starter DBZ4
- Start date
Thanks for all the replies guys.
It's definitely something i need to get done - it's my only bug with the car, so if it improves things i will be a happy chappy!
Unfortunately i'm just not the kind of guy to even think about doing that kind of thing on my own... especially not on a Z!!!!
I've got the week off work next week, so i guess i'll have to book it in with someone and take the hit...... unless one you guys wants to undercut a garage and do it for me?!?!?!
It's definitely something i need to get done - it's my only bug with the car, so if it improves things i will be a happy chappy!
Unfortunately i'm just not the kind of guy to even think about doing that kind of thing on my own... especially not on a Z!!!!
I've got the week off work next week, so i guess i'll have to book it in with someone and take the hit...... unless one you guys wants to undercut a garage and do it for me?!?!?!
DBZ4 said:Thanks for all the replies guys.
It's definitely something i need to get done - it's my only bug with the car, so if it improves things i will be a happy chappy!
Unfortunately i'm just not the kind of guy to even think about doing that kind of thing on my own... especially not on a Z!!!!
I've got the week off work next week, so i guess i'll have to book it in with someone and take the hit...... unless one you guys wants to undercut a garage and do it for me?!?!?!
Just swing by my place and I'll do it for ya
Worn bushings are always the first thing to check (after alignment and tires of course). They get mushy over the years and this let the alignment go in/out of spec as you drive down the road making the car feel heavy, unresponsive, and unpredictable. I don't know what your budget and/or tolerance for minor noise/vibration increase, but look into the polyurethane lollypop inserts. They are significantly stronger and stiffer than the rubber and will provide a HUGE improvement in front-end response. They will not made the ride any "harsher", but you would notice a little more vibration feedback in the steering. I personally have spherical bearings in my lollypop and love it!
Thanks v8z4!
One last question on this...... unfortunately i recently got laser wheel alignment done...... i'm assuming replacing the bushes is gonna make that worthless???
Do you guys suggest i need to do anything with alignment after i've had the bushes replaced???? If so, is there any real harm getting a standard alignment for the half the price of the laser alignment??? I can't justify such an outlay when last time i saw no benefit (due to the rubbish bushes i hope)..... and also because the "before" report showed it was pretty much aligned ok anyway.
One last question on this...... unfortunately i recently got laser wheel alignment done...... i'm assuming replacing the bushes is gonna make that worthless???
Do you guys suggest i need to do anything with alignment after i've had the bushes replaced???? If so, is there any real harm getting a standard alignment for the half the price of the laser alignment??? I can't justify such an outlay when last time i saw no benefit (due to the rubbish bushes i hope)..... and also because the "before" report showed it was pretty much aligned ok anyway.
parlivus said:
It was Hunter alignment through a company via that site.
As i said, i can't justify paying £120 for the second time in a month, so really i'm asking the question is alignment really necessary after having the bushes replaced considering i've just had it aligned or not?
I'd at least get the alignment checked, most Hunter places will check it for free, if it needs doing explain the situation and see if they'll do you a discount?
I had my alignment done then found that I needed a new steering rack, and they only charged me £20 for the alignment after.
I had my alignment done then found that I needed a new steering rack, and they only charged me £20 for the alignment after.
Depends.
If you are only doing the front bushings, then alignment will be (99%) unnecessary. The front-end alignment is set by the strut top. The lollypop is a "fixed" point so unless it is damaged/bent/etc. it will not change anything. What is happening is your lollypop rubber is worn out so even though your alignment is "correct", it goes in and out of specs as you drive (the lower control arm mushes around and your spindle is moving all over the place). Once you replace the rubber (preferably with poly), the spindle will remain located.
Now if you were to do the rearend bushings as well, then alignment is absolutely necessary.
If you are only doing the front bushings, then alignment will be (99%) unnecessary. The front-end alignment is set by the strut top. The lollypop is a "fixed" point so unless it is damaged/bent/etc. it will not change anything. What is happening is your lollypop rubber is worn out so even though your alignment is "correct", it goes in and out of specs as you drive (the lower control arm mushes around and your spindle is moving all over the place). Once you replace the rubber (preferably with poly), the spindle will remain located.
Now if you were to do the rearend bushings as well, then alignment is absolutely necessary.
DBZ4 said:v8z4 said:
Great advice again - thank you!
Even as a novice that makes sense to me and i understand your reasoning
http://www.bavauto.com/shop.asp
These are the bushings I'm talking about. I'm sure you can find a supplier on your side of the Atlantic. These will be night and day better than the factory rubber.
Wow, that stinks. I hate it when I'm told "nope, everything is fine" because now I have to find out what IS wrong. 
The runflats are not "that" bad of a tire (my car had runflats on it from the previous owner and it handled really well). They are noisy more than anything. It's true that high-perf summer tires will handle better but your description doesn't really sound like a tire problem.
To me, it still sounds like soft bushings. My car had a tendency to wonder and jump before I stiffened everything.
What specs did they set for the alignment? You mentioned it pulls to the left (so that's "down" the crown of the road for you right hand drivers?)? My car will drift towards the curb if there is a big crown in the road but flat roads it's straight as an arrow. Passenger cars get setup with extra camber/caster in the outside (curb side) wheel to help negate this but it hurts handling/feedback.
The runflats are not "that" bad of a tire (my car had runflats on it from the previous owner and it handled really well). They are noisy more than anything. It's true that high-perf summer tires will handle better but your description doesn't really sound like a tire problem.
To me, it still sounds like soft bushings. My car had a tendency to wonder and jump before I stiffened everything.
What specs did they set for the alignment? You mentioned it pulls to the left (so that's "down" the crown of the road for you right hand drivers?)? My car will drift towards the curb if there is a big crown in the road but flat roads it's straight as an arrow. Passenger cars get setup with extra camber/caster in the outside (curb side) wheel to help negate this but it hurts handling/feedback.