Too good to be true?????

[jakblade]

Found these whilst mooching.....The Zed is suffering from the old tramlining effect, changed tyres to non rft's and much improved but could probably do with the front end looking at.....
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-3SER-E46-MSPORT-LOWER-WISHBONE-ARM-BUSH-UPRATED-POLY-BUSH-MEYLE-HD-LIN-/331113851862

Opinions on these.....please.

 

[GuidoK]

Thats a complete lower control arm set incl polybushings.
If your control arms are fine, you don't need to change those, you can just install polyurethane bushings.
If you buy them in the lollypops (pre-fitted) it's a much easier job to install:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-E46-325Ci-330Ci-MSPORT-M-TECH-LOWER-WISHBONE-ARM-POLY-BUSHES-UPRATED-66-MM-/251394679843
£50 I just saved you £150 :lol:
Other brands available too (powerflex, strongflex etc etc)

But if you want to reduce tramlining, you have to reduce the play in the rear suspension (although the front poly bushings will give you a better steering feel)
Reducing play in the rear trailing arms can be done by fitting PU bushings (they have build in limiters):
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-3-SERIES-E46-Z4-E85-86-POWERFLEX-REAR-TRAILING-ARM-BUSH-PFR5-3608-X2-/221291434872
http://www.strongflex.eu/en/bmw-e36/35-rear-trailing-arm-front-bush-sport.html

Or you can get seperate limiters.

Be sure when fitting PU bushings to lubricate them with copper grease (usually comes with the package)

 

[Marvin-HHGTTG]

Doesn't make it clear whether the wishbones themselves are Meyle HD or not. Seems like a reasonable deal none-the-less, though I'm not sure about the poly bushings, would probably adversely affect the ride. The rear is usually the centre of Z issues, so strategically using poly for the RTAB might be advisable and Meyle HD everywhere else.

 

[GuidoK]

Why use meyle hd elsewhere?
I mean: it isn't broken (or at least, there is no sign as of yet). MeyleHD only has longer life, otherwise it's just as stock.
It is not firmer than OEM, so unless it's broken or got sloppy there is no benefit yet.
The poly bushings in front will give better steering feel as I wrote but not necessarily reduce tramlining. Nor will it cause tramlining.

 

[AnttiO]

And what i have seen writings about "meyle hd" quality, i would choose lemförder.

GuidoK: Do you have some kind of diy for rear bush replacement? Or it is similar as E46.

 

[hopz121]

Im going for Polybushed front Lollipops tomorrow and then going to go for Polybushes RTAB in a few months too.

You won't notice a difference to the ride or comfort by fitting Polybushes to the lollipops but you will notice the car feels alot nicer to drive and will give better feedback

Polybushed RTAB make the car drive alot better, but you will get a fair amount more noise from the rear end some say around 50%.
The noise will sound a bit like tyre noise and you maybe able to feel it slightly through the seats but i think the noise will be worth it as stiffening up the rear end will make the car feel great when on a sprinted drive/track

 

[boyee]

Is there a how to (general info, feedback etc) thread on the forum with regards to the bushes and tramlines etc?

 

[hopz121]

Is there a how to (general info, feedback etc) thread on the forum with regards to the bushes and tramlines etc?

No how to etc, there is posts regarding it but they are all over the place, try a google search

 

[Midhurstman]

Doesn't make it clear whether the wishbones themselves are Meyle HD or not. Seems like a reasonable deal none-the-less, though I'm not sure about the poly bushings, would probably adversely affect the ride. The rear is usually the centre of Z issues, so strategically using poly for the RTAB might be advisable and Meyle HD everywhere else.

I emailed this question to the seller a couple of weeks ago and the answer is 'no the arms are not Meyle', so they will not have the replaceable ball joints presumably. My take on the "why do you need to replace the whole arm" question is that, if the main rear bush needs replacing through wear then there must be some wear on the two ball joints. Maybe this is not a problem right now but surely preventative maintenance while your down and dirty changing the rear bushes is sensible? If you are looking for the tightest possible 'new car feel' from the steering/suspension then surely brand new ball joints must add to this. If you use Meyle control arms and you intend the car as a long term keeper you may, in a few years time, need to take advantage of the replaceable standard ball joint option that Meyle offers. I am sure not everyone will agree with this but just my point of view.

 

[boyee]

Is there a how to (general info, feedback etc) thread on the forum with regards to the bushes and tramlines etc?

No how to etc, there is posts regarding it but they are all over the place, try a google search

Thought as much! No problem! Just wanted some easy lunchtime reading [emoji106]

 

[cj10jeeper]

The kit in the first link seems a mish-mash of all sorts of bits. Regardless of if you want poly or not, I'd buy Meyle hd wishbones and not risk some non branded 'Chinese' castings and ball joints.

These are all Meyle with prefitted bushes at £183. (Drop links are just a few quid a pair) and all come with 4 year guarantee. I didn't search for best price, just an example.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-E46-CONTROL-ARMS-WISHBONE-BUSH-MEYLE-HD-C689-/190526910955?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item2c5c49f1eb

That's what I fitted and don't regret it. Just add some ARB bushes while at it.

Really must get around to doing the rear on mine....

 

[Marvin-HHGTTG]

Doesn't make it clear whether the wishbones themselves are Meyle HD or not. Seems like a reasonable deal none-the-less, though I'm not sure about the poly bushings, would probably adversely affect the ride. The rear is usually the centre of Z issues, so strategically using poly for the RTAB might be advisable and Meyle HD everywhere else.

I emailed this question to the seller a couple of weeks ago and the answer is 'no the arms are not Meyle', so they will not have the replaceable ball joints presumably. My take on the "why do you need to replace the whole arm" question is that, if the main rear bush needs replacing through wear then there must be some wear on the two ball joints. Maybe this is not a problem right now but surely preventative maintenance while your down and dirty changing the rear bushes is sensible? If you are looking for the tightest possible 'new car feel' from the steering/suspension then surely brand new ball joints must add to this. If you use Meyle control arms and you intend the car as a long term keeper you may, in a few years time, need to take advantage of the replaceable standard ball joint option that Meyle offers. I am sure not everyone will agree with this but just my point of view.

These are my thoughts exactly - am planning such a move shortly; after tyres, new dampers & rear shock mounts (will go the Rogue Engineering route) and the inevitable broken rear springs.

 

[jakblade]

cheers for all the input guys.Still going to go for changing the full monty at the front, using poly bushes for the lollipops and then have a look at the rear.
The old dear has done some 92k miles and looking at the servicing records doesn't look like anything too drastic has been done in the past.

Anyway whatever I decide I will get some opinions on here first, the massive font of knowledge that it is......Thanks again guys..

 

[GuidoK]

GuidoK: Do you have some kind of diy for rear bush replacement? Or it is similar as E46.

It is similar to the e46.
Do you mean the rear trailing arm front bushing or all the bushings from the rear axle? (19pc in total incl arb, diff etc)
For the rear trailing arm front bushing:
If you polybush, the only tricky thing is to get the stock bushing out. Get a generic bushing extractorset or the special bmw tool. The new ones pop in by hand (apply coppergrease, they act like a bearing)

If you use stock bushings, you have to put the new ones in at a certain position, and apply preload when putting it in the chassis, otherwise it sits under tension on stock ride heigth and will fail prematurely. See TIS for instructions.

For generic bushing extractor sets you can use something like this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UNIVERSAL-PRESS-AND-PULL-SLEEVE-KIT-BUSH-AND-BEARING-REMOVAL-SET-UK-SELLER-/251355449740
http://www.ebay.de/itm/Silentlager-Abzieher-Satz-27-tlg-Werkzeug-Abzieher-Ausdrucker-Zug-NEU-/400786215973
You have to work out what's cheapest to ship to finland etc.

For complete polybushing your car I have a spreadsheet with (some of the) possibilities, but it's a work in progress:
http://audio.home.xs4all.nl/zooi/z4/bussen/z4%20polybush%20list%20V1.0.xlsx
(still only z4, no z4m)
There is some nice new stuff on the market, but I haven't had the time (or motivation ) to finish & maintain it and open a topic etc.
It basically only addresses powerflex&strongflex, with some alterations.
I made this for a guy from zpost.

 

[Midhurstman]

Here's a much cheaper option that worked for me. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-3-Series-Z3-E36-E46-Rear-Axle-Trailing-Arm-Bush-Removal-and-Mounting-Tool-/201274205212?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&fits=Car+Make%3ABMW%7CModel%3A3+Series&hash=item2edce0a41c