Steering/suspension bushes problem

S

Sterner Regnix

Member
Hi all,

I'm new here and in fact new to Z4 ownership. I've posted once or twice but thought I'd say a proper hello with a proper question.

I recently bought a 3.0si from a chap in Northampton. He actually put me onto these forums and said you good folk were very helpful.

I know the front disks were knack'd from the test drive but didn't realise something was up with the suspension/steering until I'd had the car for a week or so. I always felt like there was some small amount of steering play when hitting small bumps.

I took it to Kipling Motorist Centre (Exceedingly good :sick:) in Bletchly who looked at the car for 10 mins and told me the front springs had been replaced recently, rears are fine but front wheel lower rear bushes (I'm paraphrasing) where shot and showed me. He said they could replace the bushes for approx £70 per side (he hadn't done any sums so stressed this wasn't a quote) but recommended I think about changing the arms too.

I thought the guys seemed to know their cars and Z4's for that matter (went straight to springs and bushes), but my question is, does this sound reasonable and should I replaces the arms that these bushes connect too?

Once the car is a little less scruffy I'll post some pictures. "...useless without pictures" etc :D

Thanks
 
Perished bushes are by far the biggest cause of suspension slop. However, the control arms have two ball joints which will also eventually wear out. If there's any play at all, the arm should be replaced. Even if there's no detectable play, you might elect to replace as preventative maintenance. Then your refurbished suspension will be as tight as possible.
 
had all the bushes, arms, etc changed on mine recently. Came to around £500 all in.
 
That was one of the big advantages when I bough my car. They had all been replaced for its MOT :)


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The front lower arm rear bushes are oil filled , when they wear badly you can feel the movement when braking. If allowed to go on they will knock out the ball joints in the arm & poss tyre wear etc .These are pressed into the arm so best to replace whole arm & then get wheel alignment done .If only the rear bushes are worn they can be changed about 45 mins aside . No wheel alignment needed .Even the new rear bushes will have a degree of play in them due to their design .B M W rear bushes £ 129 pressed into ally carrier (pair) .Cheaper non originals might not last as long .
 
Ok, so deffo replace the arms too. Sounds sensible.

jakethecatuk: Was that to replace the lot front and rear? Was that BMW parts at an indy or pattern parts?

Thanks folks
 
Sorry to be a pain but I was looking around on Ebay and the following looks to me like it contains the front trailing arm thingy, bush (the one I need to replace, drop links (maybe) and track rod end:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Z4-E85-3-0-SI-06-FRONT-LOWER-SUSPENSION-WISHBONE-ARM-LINK-TRACK-ROD-END-KIT-/250985515597?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3a6fe70a4d#ht_3869wt_1180

Not sure if this looks like its OEM parts?

Since the garage are replacing all my disks, pads and those trailing bushes should I buy this kit or something like it and get them to fit the lot?
 
Ok, so after a bit of reading I was put off the Powerflex bushes as I don't want the mechanic charging me an extra hour or two for fitting them.

So I went for these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/150821607166?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_1004wt_1180

Which seem popular in the states. Anyone here using this kit?

I've also ordered a full set of Hel brake lines and already had a full set of EBC Ultimax discs and red stuff pads delivered.

Once it's all fitted hopefully it'll feel like a new car and I'll let you all know how I get on

:)
 
Got my car back after having front control arms, bushes, EBC ultimax discs, red stuff pads and Hel lines and they charged me £325

:)

Car feels great
 
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