E39 sway bar install

[Skipper5]

hey 5er folks, i was hoping someone here might have DIY instructions for installing a front sway bar on an I6 E39. the rear was a piece of cake, but the front seems daunting. there are some clearance issues to get the part out/in. any help would be greatly appreciated.

ps. the with the rear sway in, i'm already impressed, though the car is out of balance right now. its still more kick ass to drive.:clap:

[Kudo540]

I6's are much easier than the V8's. I was quoted $900 at the dealer just for labor on the front, but I got it for $180. The 6cly are much easier and cheaper, if I were you I would only pay $100 for labor. Also the M5 rear sway fits 6cy but not the M5 front.
Good luck
Mario

[Skipper5]

mario, have you done one personally? i ask because after getting the car jacked up and the sway bar loose, i couldn't see anyway in hell to get it out. i pulled and pushed etc. for a while before giving up (it was night time, i was tired) and leaving the old one in. any ideas? or am i just missing something?
-Jensen

[Kudo540]

I know on V8's are much harder but I did find a link for you.

http://www.zeckhausen.com/howto/bmwe39/swaybar_replacement.htm

Most people with V*'s take it to some one but the I6's can be a DIY.

Mario

[sde39]

I had mine done by a friend and he said it took him and 2 other guys 4 hours to do the front. They had to drop the front crossmember. Maybe some other stuff too

[Skipper5]

thats what the TIS instructions say to do. i was hoping there was another way. maybe there is; probably not. i'll keep searching though.

[Raff]

I am looking into the same thing guys...
The only way your going to put the sways on the front is if you drop the crossmember. Most of the newer cars are like that... too bad.
My GTI was like that aswell, a big pain in the butt.


Raff

[Raff]

Hey will this set up fit an 1998 528i as well? I also want to put in some sway bars on to the car.

Thanks,

Raff

[Skipper5]

Raff, i have a 528. as far as options go for the sways, there are (and more) eibach and dinan. you can also get just the rear M5 sway for around $100 from the dealer. i went with the eibach because it was a lot cheaper.

i still haven't gotten the front on, but will remedy that when i get a chance. where abouts in california are you from?

-Jensen

[Raff]

Skipper5,

Thanks,

How much cheaper is the eibach sways?
I am local too. I live in Valencia, but I am down and about everywhere, I am friends that go to you Cal Poly too.
Do you and other 5ers meet up anywhere.
There is going to be a big gtg in April 10th, Lots of Euro cars are going to be there. Try and hit it up.

Raff

[Skipper5]

i got mine for $300 compared with ~$500 for dinans. i enjoy getting together with all bmw enthusiasts. a lot of the guys i hang out with have E36s. i am like the boat of the group. hence the title of "skipper".

we are having a drive from monterey to san luis obispo in three weeks if you're interested. if you're at all interested in that a group is driving up from santa barbara that you could cruise with too.

in two weeks we might be going down by el mirago salt flats (east of LA) if you're interested. i may find myself down south for the april 10 event as well.

-Jensen

[Raff]

Hey Skipper,

I am interested in the drive, but if it is on the week-end I most likely will not be able to make it, since I work on the week-ends.
Thanks for giving me the heads up.

Raff

[Skipper5]

they're all on the weekends. most of my buds around here are students, so we have school all week and drive hard on the weekends. get some sways and relish in their wonder :)

-Jensen

[Raff]

I am thinking of doing bit of mods, I just went to vf-egineering looking at a supercharger kit, but I don't know if should get one, pretty much out of my budget. Its going to be the prototype for the 528, they are asking for $4000 and they won't charge the install and labor. I want to pretty bad, but don't want to be put on the pitch for money if something comes up.
If you interested in it, I can let them know to hook you up.

Raff

[sde39]

4k huh? Well could you give me a contact for them cause i might be interested in the Centrifugal 528i :D

[Raff]

vf-egineering.com

He told me to call him (Nick the owner) in two weeks to let him know if I wanted to do it or not. But, hit them up if you want to do it for your 528i. I don't think I am up for it right now.

Raff