Author Topic: front control arm bushings (Read 4365 times)

250k318is · « **on:** September 26, 2007, 04:27:29 AM »

i need some help im replacing all the bushings in my car 225000mi has taken its tole on them im going to bu ordering the rears from akgmotorsports but hte fronts im not shure on akg has some but they look a bit strang or i was also looking at treehouse racing ones any ideas the car is going to be set setup for trak use and light street use thaks for the advise

Febi Guibo · « **Reply #1 on:** September 26, 2007, 09:17:11 AM »

I have the treehouse racing fronts and they are as advertised... great product.

D. Clay · « **Reply #2 on:** September 26, 2007, 11:33:12 AM »

Treehouse bushings may put you in a higher class if the rules specify original suspension pick up points. Spec E30 and some other series allows offset bushings, others don't.

250k318is · « **Reply #3 on:** September 26, 2007, 01:25:22 PM »

im not going racing just track days and maybe some autocross so as for classes i dont think it will mater

gearheadE30 · « **Reply #4 on:** September 26, 2007, 01:47:50 PM »

Do these bushings make nuch of a difference? I'm looking mostly for less understeer in tight, low-speed autoX corners.

tjts1 · « **Reply #5 on:** September 26, 2007, 01:55:03 PM »

Quote from: gearheadE30;34394

Do these bushings make nuch of a difference? I'm looking mostly for less understeer in tight, low-speed autoX corners.

Yes. Offset bushings made a world of difference vs my worn out stock CABs. Easy way to check is to lift one of the front corners off the ground and try shaking or moving the tire back and forth. If you can see the rear of the control arm move around, thats where the understeer is coming from.

P. Kennedy · « **Reply #6 on:** September 26, 2007, 04:19:00 PM »

After reading "how to's" about this process, I tried to tackle this myself a week ago. I ordered some PowerFlex control arm bushings from Bimmerworld because they (PowerFlex) promised no press was needed to install them. Well, I had a hell of a time trying to get one on. Getting the old bushings off is fairly easy with a puller, but getting new ones on is no cake walk. I ended up having my car flat towed (on 3 tires only, cause the right front suspension was flopping around) and paid a shop to do it. I sprang for new control arms while they had the car there. Big difference in handling. Much more nailed down. Wish I could have done it myself though. I had to scrap the PowerFlex bushings ($75) and went with M3 offset bushings. Beware. Procedure is not as easy as it first looked, at least for me. But, I mostly blame the PowerFlex bushings for being so difficult. They looked totally different than stock or M3 offset ones. I even called up Bimmerworld to question it. I should have known better. One learns by one's mistakes.

KenC · « **Reply #7 on:** September 26, 2007, 08:03:07 PM »

What was so diff about the powerflex ones? Pushing them over the end of the control arm?

P. Kennedy · « **Reply #8 on:** September 27, 2007, 09:32:11 AM »

Yeah I knew someone was going to ask. Have you seen these? They are not just a lollipop filling piece. Go to Bimmerworld's site and take a look. They are over twice the size (length) of the lollipop insert and designed to slide further forward up the control arm. Problem is, they don't slide. Even WITH a press and a BFH. I could not get the 2 lollipop bolt holes to line up for reinstallation. If you (or anyone else) successfully installed these bushings, more power to ya.

See #1 in this diagram: http://store.bimmerworld.com/shared/StoreFront/default.asp?CS=bimmerworl&BusType=BtoC&Count1=653759181&Count2=570899605&CategoryID=35&Target=products.asp

(Scroll to the E30 bushings, It didn't give me the exact diagram.)