I only buy Lemforder when replacing parts with ball joints. Anyone else?

[SQ Bimmer]

The way I see it, the Lemforder ball joints are going to last long enough for them to be worth the extra cost and the added safety. I am about to buy a new pair of tie rods at $60 each, Lemforder of course. Am I wrong here?

[89Bimmer89]

Lemforder is the way to go.

[calypso]

same here.

[Sadiq]

i got meyle tie rods... i hear you should stay away from karlin

[Zubehor]

i got meyle tie rods... i hear you should stay away from karlin

Why?

[Sadiq]

i dunno... theyre prolly all the same anyway

[anthonyglamis]

I just had my alignment done and tires balanced (yesterday) and I am still getting a small vibration anywhere from 40 to 80 mph. I am going to do some searching today but since i saw this thread I thought I would ask. Is there a possibility one or more of my ball joints are going? I have a 95 with 103000 miles roughly. It's not unbearable but I know it's there and the idea of something not being kosher with the car makes me feel uneasy. Anyways good thread and if I have to replace ball joints at least I'll know what direction to go in....thanks.

[cyanprinter]

It's quite possible that it's a bad ball joint or a bad bushing somewhere in your front end. If you have an x brace I find that can mask the problem, so a visual inspection is important.

[anthonyglamis]

i see, thanks for the info. i don't think I have a x brace. I've spent much time under my car and can't remember seeing it down there. I guess best bet is like you said to do a visual inspection.

[JamesM3M5]

BMW uses Lemforder to make nearly all of their OE suspension parts, and that's who BMW CCA Club Racing recommends. Febi/Bilstein and Meyle also make certain parts for BMW OE, but not control arms or other balljoint parts. I had a set of Febi tie rods on my E30 M3, and they rusted solid in less than a year. The coating on them was terrible. Meyle makes a balljoint replacement for the rubber-lined E36 outer control arm balljoint, and they are crap.

Cheaper parts are cheaper for a reason, mainly quality control, materials, and manufacturing tolerances.

[cstang68]

I have a question. The rubber boot around the balljoint on my tierod ends has deteriorated and won't hold lube/keep dirt out. Can I just replace the ends or should I replace the entire tie rod assembly? Are there pros/cons to each?

[SQ Bimmer]

Replace the whole damn thing. $120 + shipping gets you a new pair of Lemforder tie rods from bmaparts.com. Call them up, Patrick has the part numbers in his email.

James, would you be willing to match this price for a forum member? Thanks for the informational post btw. I guess I was too lazy to type it up.