Suspension refresh

D

Deutsche_Blonde

Member
 Fareham
Hello all,

I’m a long-time member but haven’t posted in a while. I sold my previous Z4R back in 2013 in order to fund a house purchase. A few years and a few cars later and I’m back in a coupe. I’ve owned this one for 12 months now. Before me I believe it was owned by two other forum members.

Anyway, I recently had the car MOT’d and it was picked up that the front ARB linkage ball joints and arm bushes had deteriorated and required replacing. As the car has passed 100k I’m thinking of doing a whole front end suspension refresh. B12 suspension was fitted within the last 10k miles, so it is just control arms, bushes, drop links etc I’m thinking to replace. The problem I have is that I am really quite clueless when it comes to mechanics and I’m not entirely sure what bits I should be looking to replace.

So, if anyone could shed some light on what I should really be considering (and even point me in the direction of where to purchase) I would be grateful :thumbsup:

Cheers
 
I have done a front end suspension refresh recently on my Z4R including springs and shocks. Since B12s have been fitted, the full list of what you may want to replace is the following:
  • Control arms including lollipop bushes
  • Drop (stabilizer) links
  • Track rod arms (full arm not just end)
  • ARB and ARB bushes

Obviously, some of these things likely wont need replacing such as the ARB. When replacing my components I went with Meyle HD, a very reputable as OEM (not OEM parts though) brand. Here is the link for the control arms, lollipop bushes, drop links and track rods arms I bought:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FOR-BMW-...-LINK-RACK-TIE-ROD-ENDS-MEYLE-HD/150672172496

In terms of labour, I did it all myself and found the two hardest jobs by far were getting the shock absorber out of the knuckle clamp (you wont have to do this) and removing of the old ball joints (the inboard ball joint had quite poor access to the nut).
 
Many thanks Thedan, that's really helpful.

Is there much merit in fitting uprated parts, for example e46 M3 arms? I won't be using the car on track, but do enjoy pressing on when appropriate.
 
For the control arm itself, I don't think there is any benefit to fitting anything other than OEM or as-OEM. This is slightly different on the rear as it can be beneficial to fit the M3's rear lower control arm for better dynamic toe control.

In terms of the lollipop bushes I have heard of a few different methods:
  • OEM or as-OEM (Meyle HD)
  • Powerflex bush
  • Offset lollipop bush (not sure if this is the one from the E46 M3)

I will be using my car on track a fair few times this year, but went as-OEM. I was torn between this or Powerflex purples (Powerflex black are pretty stiff and meant for track use only). See the link here for extra info on Powerflex:
https://www.powerflex.co.uk/products/Z4+E85+&+E86+(2003-2009)-1203/1.html
 
Ta Dan, I think i may go down the Powerflex purple route.

Did the refresh have any effect on tramlining on yours? I realise they are prone to it (my last was terrible), but I'd love to dial a bit of that out if possible.
 
Yes it did. Front end is nearly perfect now. Only thing left to do it slightly adjust the "sticky steering" EPS collar and it'll be bang on.

In terms of Powerflex, I am still not sure if I made the right decision with OEM. I may end up changing to purples alongside better (stiffer) coilovers if I end up doing many track days this year.
 
The Powerflex site is a bit of a minefield.

Grateful if anyone could kindly clarify that the front ARB bushes are 24mm and not 25mm (ie, part number: PFF5-4602-24)

And for the lollipop bushes, the diameter is 66mm (ie, PFF5-4601) and not a 60mm bore?

https://www.powerflex.co.uk/products/Z4+E85+%26+E86+%282003-2009%29-1203/1.html

Cheers!
 
TheDan said:
I have done a front end suspension refresh recently on my Z4R including springs and shocks. Since B12s have been fitted, the full list of what you may want to replace is the following:
  • Control arms including lollipop bushes
  • Drop (stabilizer) links
  • Track rod arms (full arm not just end)
  • ARB and ARB bushes

Obviously, some of these things likely wont need replacing such as the ARB. When replacing my components I went with Meyle HD, a very reputable as OEM (not OEM parts though) brand. Here is the link for the control arms, lollipop bushes, drop links and track rods arms I bought:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FOR-BMW-...-LINK-RACK-TIE-ROD-ENDS-MEYLE-HD/150672172496

In terms of labour, I did it all myself and found the two hardest jobs by far were getting the shock absorber out of the knuckle clamp (you wont have to do this) and removing of the old ball joints (the inboard ball joint had quite poor access to the nut).
Click to expand...

Incredibly helpful post!

I’m planning on a full suspension update in the Spring; my car is at 47k miles, currently on H&R lowering springs and original M Sport dampers. Current plan is ST STX Coilovers....as part of this, do you think there’s any point changing the whole control arms, or just the bushes? From the videos I’ve seen, getting the bushes out looks such a pain that maybe new control arms is just easier, though the most costly part.
 
Deutsche_Blonde said:
The Powerflex site is a bit of a minefield.

Grateful if anyone could kindly clarify that the front ARB bushes are 24mm and not 25mm (ie, part number: PFF5-4602-24)

And for the lollipop bushes, the diameter is 66mm (ie, PFF5-4601) and not a 60mm bore?

https://www.powerflex.co.uk/products/Z4+E85+%26+E86+%282003-2009%29-1203/1.html

Cheers!
Click to expand...

Just bumping this as I'd love to pull the trigger. Cheers.
 
I believe for ARB Bush the 24mm is for SE set ups, the 25mm is for sport. But almost all SE models came with sport suspension so almost all will want the 25mm. To be sure you'll need the options list for your car or a set of calipers, but seems very likely to be 25mm.
And for the lollipop bushes they're all 66mm.
 
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