Lower Wishbones & Upgrades

[Barty]

Well, both of my lower wishbones at the front show excessive play on the ball joints, so time to replace those. Not bad for a second set in nearly 200.000 kilometers. While at it, a few questions:

- Lemforder or Meyle seem to be the way to go; Febi Bilstein also considered "good enough" given that they're about 40% less expensive?
- While at it, any other items to replace in the same area? Naturally, the control arm bush will be replaced along with the arm. What impact do Powerflex bushes have on the overal feel of the car in this specific area? Alternatively, the M-version could be a suitable alternative as well: both to add a bit of caster and stiffness.
- Tips or tricks for installation? From experience, I prefer to install suspension components such as these loosely first, and then tighten to torque when the full weight of the car is back on them to prevent twisting the rubbers. Is that essential with the wishbones too?

Many thanks for any and all insights provided

 

[Emanresu]

Interested in opinions also, my zed has quite bad vague steering with a bit of play when the wheels centered.

I’ve just bought Meyle HD front control arms and link rods but won’t be fitted for a few weeks yet.

 

[grannyknot]

I used the Meyel HD control arms, very pleased with them, I also bought new bolts for the stiffener plate, BMW says you should but many mechanics just use the old bolts with no problems.
At 200km you might want to replace those front wheel bearings while you have her up in the air, the fronts are pretty easy, the rear bearing are a lot more involved.

 

[Barty]

I also bought new bolts for the stiffener plate, BMW says you should but many mechanics just use the old bolts with no problems.

Yeah I’ve got those lined up for when I tackle the hydraulic steering conversion sometime December. I’ll reuse the current ones in the interim.

At 200km you might want to replace those front wheel bearings while you have her up in the air, the fronts are pretty easy, the rear bearing are a lot more involved.

Good shout. I’ll tackle the fronts at the same time I do the brakes. The rears will be part of the full suspension overhaul planned for early next year. Got a spare subframe and arms that need clearing and powder coating before being fitted to the car.

 

[AveZ4coop]

I have Meyle front wishbones and Powerflex-Purple 'lollypop' bushes, they are a good combination. They have certainly reduced tramlining but the powerflex bushes do transmit bumps from the road to the cabin more than the OEM ones. On the plus side I won't have to replace them every 20 minutes :lol: . Normally all bushes should be torqued up when you have the suspension in the 'loaded' position (I use a jack under the hub to 'load' the suspension before tightening), but powerflex bushes can be torqued up without doing this as they are not bonded to the carrier.