Front-end question for you track guys

[bungy42]

What front-end suspension component takes the biggest beating from driving hard (like on a track)? Just looking at it from a geometry standpoint I'd say the wheel bearings take a lot of abuse from cornering hard, but I bet the control arm bushings need replacing most often. What do you guys think?

[G.J. Dixon]

Control Arm Bushings usually go first and need to be looked at often, but the Wheel Bearings aren't far behind. Any mounts/bushings/bearings should always be checked.

[JamesM3M5]

BMW CCA recommends replacing the entire lower control arm on all track E30s and E36s every year or two years, depending on the number of track days you do.

Rebuild the calipers every year or two to prevent brake failure.

The first wheel bearing to go bad is usually the left front, because most road courses are clock-wise. That's pretty simple. You need a wheel bearing puller to do the rear bearings. Its $250 from Sir Tools or Auto Specialty Tools, and it's worth every penny. Rear wheel bearings do go bad on the track, and it's hard to hear in a loud car. It's a $40 part, takes 1.5-2 hours to change.

[bungy42]

Cool, thanks guys. My wife and I were discussing front end damage. The town is putting in sewer and I told her to avoid the construction in an attempt to prevent damage to the front-end (ball joints, tie rods, etc). She replied that driving on bumpy roads is nothing compared to taking exit ramps at light speed. I replied that they cause different types of failure. I just wanted to get an opinion from you guys who drive really hard an a regular basis. :)

James - where do you get rebuild kits for your brake calipers? I have an E36, not an E30, but wherever you get them should carry both I would think. Mine have never been rebuilt OR replaced in over 200k miles, so I think I ought to do them. :)

[Hammm3]

Bungy--

Caliper Rebuild Kits
Description: Rebuilding your brake calipers and replacing the seals is a must for any car that sees regular track use. Even older street-driven cars will experice poor braking performance if air is allowed to leak past a crumbling seal.

Turner Motorsports