Suspension Advise

[mysticguy04]

Hello Sportfans,
I need some opinions.
I have a '92 325ic and I found a website that sells a complete susupension kit which consists of 2 control arms with steel balljoints, 2 solid hard rubber bushings, 2 tierods with plates. All for 135.00 ! Seems like a great deal!
My question is : how difficult a fix is replacing the control arms and tie rods? Any special tools required? I'm considering trying to do this myself rather than paying a shop 75.00 p/hr to do it.
Any thoughts are appreciated.
Thx.
MG

[Kowalski]

Originally posted by mysticguy04@Feb 16 2005, 01:04 PM
Hello Sportfans,
I need some opinions.
I have a '92 325ic and I found a website that sells a complete susupension kit which consists of 2 control arms with steel balljoints, 2 solid hard rubber bushings, 2 tierods with plates. All for 135.00 ! Seems like a great deal!
My question is : how difficult a fix is replacing the control arms and tie rods? Any special tools required? I'm considering trying to do this myself rather than paying a shop 75.00 p/hr to do it.
Any thoughts are appreciated.
Thx.
MG

[snapback]292966[/snapback]

its not that hard, i did it 2 weeks ago, you need a torque wrench, and a good set of sockets and a breaker bar, you might also want a hammer and a ball join seporator, some of them get stubern and no matter how hard you hit them they dont fall... and then your going to need an alinement.

[Abdul]

I did this a couple of weeks ago myself. The tie rod seperator is a useful tool to have so that you can get the old control arm off once you remove the bolts. It actually takes a surprising amount of force to get the old control arm seperated from the car. A 22mm socket, or wrench is useful, this is s little bigger than most sets come with. I think most of the others are pretty common sizes, 17mm, 19mm, I cant remember the size for the sway bar. Don't be afraid to pound the crap out of the studs when you are removing the old control arm.

I would definiteyl recommend the breaker bar, some of those old bolts are very stubborn. Also, spray the bolts with a liquid wrench style penetrating oil the day befor you plan on doing the work, as this might help free up the bolts.

The bushings that the control arm mounts to should be replaced at the same time as the control arms. For this you will need a press, or a large bench vise to press the new bushings into their carriers. This might be the most difficult part of the process if you are short on tools.

[mysticguy04]

Thank you guys for the tips.

[Kowalski]

Originally posted by mysticguy04@Feb 17 2005, 06:49 AM
Thank you guys for the tips.

[snapback]293624[/snapback]

you can use wd40 on the controll arm and lightly sand off the paint that comes on the controll arm and then it should slide on and then the wd40 will evaportate and it will be stuck in the way you left it. thats if you dont have access to a press or are far to lazy to drive half an hour to use it.

[blkbmr325is]

Originally posted by mysticguy04@Feb 16 2005, 02:04 PM
Hello Sportfans,
I need some opinions.
I have a '92 325ic and I found a website that sells a complete susupension kit which consists of 2 control arms with steel balljoints, 2 solid hard rubber bushings, 2 tierods with plates. All for 135.00 ! Seems like a great deal!
My question is : how difficult a fix is replacing the control arms and tie rods? Any special tools required? I'm considering trying to do this myself rather than paying a shop 75.00 p/hr to do it.
Any thoughts are appreciated.
Thx.
MG

[snapback]292966[/snapback]

mind if i ask where did you find this kit??? I need to do mine and thats actually a pretty good deal!!

[mysticguy04]

I found the suspension kit thru Ebay under bmw e30 parts.
Company is called Audi Central. Specializing in german car parts.
They have a toll free number - 1-888-666-2475.
The parts are made by TRW not a cheap Chinese manufacturer.
Seems like a good price for decent quality parts.