FCP Control Arm kit Purchase

[ChiTownTy]

So new control arms are my main priority at the moment, Im about to purchase the FCP package but not sure which one ....prob the ten piece package, i dont want to get into the rear just yet and its not nearly as bad as the front....there is an aluminum package and a steel package, 50$ difference, Why would someone mess around with the aluminum? Ima go ahead and pop some polyurethane bushing in there immediately because from what Ive read the stock one just dont cut it, and why have to redo the job later.

[AHenry014]

ehhh if i were you id do again what ive already done. go with their 10pc MEYLE HD kit. its 100% worth the 550ish. ive been running it for probably 20k and no problems yet.

no difference between steel and aluminum control arms, only difference being weight. the HD kit comes with 750 bushings that are stronger. no need for poly on the meyle stuff for daily driving.

[FCPEuro]

So new control arms are my main priority at the moment, Im about to purchase the FCP package but not sure which one ....prob the ten piece package, i dont want to get into the rear just yet and its not nearly as bad as the front....there is an aluminum package and a steel package, 50$ difference, Why would someone mess around with the aluminum? Ima go ahead and pop some polyurethane bushing in there immediately because from what Ive read the stock one just dont cut it, and why have to redo the job later.

Hi There -

Got your PM and responded. As sxracer indicated, the different between the steel and alumunium is mainly weight. That can be negligible depending on your set up and requirements. If I remember correctly, the M5 had Aluminium Control Arms.

Depending on what your set up is, you may take advantage of the on-going Meyle and lemforder Exclusive sale. We are offering a generous discount on all suspension parts from both brands at the moment and a number of forums members have taken advantage of this. If you are running a sports shocks or lowered springs or have larger diameter wheels like an 18" set up, you could step up to something like the Meyle or Lemforder kits as they are more suited to such set - ups, especially with the current sale.

Polyurethane bushings are a nice upgrade to any control arms you get. We are currently conducting some tests on our FCP Control Arms and will hopefully have updates and answers in the near future. You can check out the threads about this and also the blogs.

If you have any further questions, just drop me a note.

Cheers,

Michael

[googone20]

The Meyle HD kit is a great option for the price. I believe FCP just started offering these kits at a lower price for us E34 guys. Check with them and see what they quote you. Heck I may even buy a 10pc kit and refresh everything again for $500.

[googone20]

What do you guys currently charge for the Meyle HD and Lem. front end kits?? I am very curious and if it is a good deal I may just pull the trigger.

[golde30]

i am actually about to install FCP's ~$200 10pc front end kit. i did hear that the bushings in the upper/lower CA arent the best, so i bought powerflex bushings for both the upper and lower and will be installing the whole kit this weekend.

i will post back with my review next week, but you figure $200 for the FCP kit + $180 for the powerflex bushings = $380 which is still cheaper than going with the meyle HD kit. i would rather have all new ball joints from FCP w/ powerflex in the CA, than a regular Meyle HD kit with the old rubber bushings for $550...

[ChiTownTy]

i am actually about to install FCP's ~$200 10pc front end kit. i did hear that the bushings in the upper/lower CA arent the best, so i bought powerflex bushings for both the upper and lower and will be installing the whole kit this weekend.

i will post back with my review next week, but you figure $200 for the FCP kit + $180 for the powerflex bushings = $380 which is still cheaper than going with the meyle HD kit. i would rather have all new ball joints from FCP w/ powerflex in the CA, than a regular Meyle HD kit with the old rubber bushings for $550...
I bought the same set up as you buddy, cant wait to install and give a review. If this other guy is talking about "refreshing" his set up...id rather buy two sets of the FCP 10 piece kit with the urethane over time , then two Meyle kits for over $1,000 with out it.

na mean?

[golde30]

Got the fcp upper and lower CA installed with the powerflex bushings, all my vibration problems are gone, however the months of shaky freeway driving have destroyed my front tires! Hahahaha talk about terrible tracking...

I am however getting a nice clunk sound now whenever I come to a full stop, don't know where it's coming from, but I would guess it's the poly bushings...

Also as for the whole tightening the thru bolt on the ground vs in the air, it doesn't matter with the poly bushings. I had the whole mustache bar that the upper CA bolt onto out of the car with the CA attached and torqued, and the CA still moved up and down freely, as opposed to the oe rubber bushings which will freeze up when you torque them down...

[Tenrac]

Got the fcp upper and lower CA installed with the powerflex bushings, all my vibration problems are gone, however the months of shaky freeway driving have destroyed my front tires! Hahahaha talk about terrible tracking...

I am however getting a nice clunk sound now whenever I come to a full stop, don't know where it's coming from, but I would guess it's the poly bushings...

Also as for the whole tightening the thru bolt on the ground vs in the air, it doesn't matter with the poly bushings. I had the whole mustache bar that the upper CA bolt onto out of the car with the CA attached and torqued, and the CA still moved up and down freely, as opposed to the oe rubber bushings which will freeze up when you torque them down...
You shouldn't be getting any clunking from polyurethane bushings, as in zero.

Double check the torque on your ball joints at the end of your control arms. I had bad tracking problems and some noise after my initial control arm replacement. It was becuase I had not gotten the ball joints seated firmly in the sockets and they were loose.

(I am also running poly bushings in my FCP control arms.)

[ChiTownTy]

did you follow a thread for belp?

[FCPEuro]

Hi There -


What do you guys currently charge for the Meyle HD and Lem. front end kits?? I am very curious and if it is a good deal I may just pull the trigger.

The Kits are currently $550 which offers great savings off the retail price and it very competitive. Let me know if we can be of help.


i am actually about to install FCP's ~$200 10pc front end kit. i did hear that the bushings in the upper/lower CA arent the best, so i bought powerflex bushings for both the upper and lower and will be installing the whole kit this weekend.

i will post back with my review next week, but you figure $200 for the FCP kit + $180 for the powerflex bushings = $380 which is still cheaper than going with the meyle HD kit. i would rather have all new ball joints from FCP w/ powerflex in the CA, than a regular Meyle HD kit with the old rubber bushings for $550...

I will be interested in your update on how the kit performs with the upgrade you did.


You shouldn't be getting any clunking from polyurethane bushings, as in zero.

Double check the torque on your ball joints at the end of your control arms. I had bad tracking problems and some noise after my initial control arm replacement. It was becuase I had not gotten the ball joints seated firmly in the sockets and they were loose.

(I am also running poly bushings in my FCP control arms.)

I agree with Tenrac's comments. Check and let us know please.


did you follow a thread for belp?

There are many write ups about this, our test candidates and I also did some write ups with pictures - check out e34win's thread about her FCP install. Also do a search as there are many posts about this project.

Cheers,

Michael

[desertpir8]

Hi There -



The Kits are currently $550 which offers great savings off the retail price and it very competitive. Let me know if we can be of help.



I will be interested in your update on how the kit performs with the upgrade you did.



I agree with Tenrac's comments. Check and let us know please.



There are many write ups about this, our test candidates and I also did some write ups with pictures - check out e34win's thread about her FCP install. Also do a search as there are many posts about this project.

Cheers,

Michael

I can vouch for the Urethane inserts and cheapest FCP arm set. Mine is rock solid and is holding up nicely. Drives like a million bucks now for way less $$ than Lemforder or Meyle. I think the stock FCP bushing material is the culprit.

[googone20]

What are guys finding in regards to the FCP ball joints and boots? Is it mainly the bushings that go bad or are guys also having issues with the boots?

[Tenrac]

What are guys finding in regards to the FCP ball joints and boots? Is it mainly the bushings that go bad or are guys also having issues with the boots?

I bought the 8 piece kit, and the only parts I had issues with was the bushings in the control arms, and the boots on the end-links...all 4 of the end-link boots have split, the joints are still fine, and I am sure they will be for some time (going on 15k on the kit). All other boots are in good condition, it was only the end-link boots that failed. The control arm bushings only lasted about 9k miles, but that's nothing new. They were installed correctly and torqued to spec with the suspension loaded. Since replacing the bushings with polyurethane I have had zero problems.

[m60b30530i]

Yeah my control arm bushings are blown after one ride down 684 lol shitty roads. Installing poly in them. The ball joints are still good

[ChiTownTy]

http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/l523/ChiTownTy88/buchings021.jpg

I cant wait! What did you guys torque these bad boys down at?

[pennpen]

did fcp replace the bushing material in the new batch? if not are they?