Looking for a bit of help and this was the closest thread I could find to what I needed. I did my thrust arms and control arms recently without a problem and I'm preparing to do my tie rods. The one issue I'm concerned about is that I don't see how to get the appropriate torque reading (71 Nm) on the tie rod to rack using the 32mm fan clutch tool. Can anyone comment on how they applied the correct torque using that method?
rholmes1068,
It has been a year since I wrote this DIY, so far so good.
Look at Step #20: once you have the adjustable wrench on the rack, simply tighten the 32-mm wrench with your strength. You won't be able to strip any bolt, so don't worry about it. Actually, once snug, it won't even move much, so tighten it firmly and done with. If you are concerned, then apply a drop of Loctite.
This junction has little stress, it simply pulls the wheels R or L and there are plenty of threads on the tierod to hold it.
Thanks cnn!
Awesome writeup!
Just ran out to Harbor Tool to get that ball joint separator!
Spent the better part of an hour wailing on it with a pickle fork to no avail last night.........Can't wait to try out the tool!
Got the Harbor Freight Tool......
First one popped out with ease!
Second one snapped the tool......
Not surprised for a $20 tool. Off to get a new one tomorrow.
Will be investing in a stronger one for future use. The way this car goes through lower control arms, it will pay to have the right tool!
Last edited by fmzip; 10-21-2010 at 09:28 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
Okay so I did the whole front end. (Re-used the hubs.) Ride height is a bit tall though. The measurement from the rim to the fender is 17cm. The strut is OEM specs, I checked it before installing it, ordered the rest of the parts, E39 specific. What gives? I would appreciate any input. Thanks.
Normal,
Nothing to worry about. Over the years, the Factory Struts bottom out giving us the impression that it is the way it is supposed to be!
New struts will raise the height a bit, that was my impression when I did mine 2 years ago. All is well for me.
Nothing to worry about.
Thanks. I'm going to re-weight the car and release and re-torque the suspension to be sure the bushings aren't giving it any lift.
GREAT DIY!!! Thanks for all the detail. I just printed it and was able to walk right through it.
The only thing I really did different was to completely remove the suspension and essentially rebuild it in place. Either way fantastic info. Well done!!
Thanks CNN. I just finished this on my e39. I did it all except the passenger side sway bar bushing. After looking at it for 5 minutes, I determined there was no way in hell I was going to be able to get to the back nut. Can't believe you were able to do it.
The swaybar bushing: passenger side. You were right, it is so tight and difficult with the back nut. The back nut alone took me 1h, bit by bit using the 12-point wrench. It was painfully slow!
You can always do this bushing later when you have free time and a weekend with nothing else to do!
Do you like the "new" ride/handling, fantastic right!
Now you have done the Front, time to do the Rear soon (I also wrote the Rear overhaul here).
Once you have completed the Front and Rear suspensions, the car drives like a charm!
Last edited by cnn; 11-07-2011 at 10:41 AM.
I have the 525i sport suspension. i know instead of the HD's i should go with the sports. as far as all these suspension overhaul kits im finding, will these work with my sport suspension? i can't find a kit for the front that says it is compatible with sport, im about to start compiling a list of individual components.
edit: by the way, that is an incredible write up. thanks
Last edited by skibby; 12-19-2012 at 09:38 AM. Reason: forgotten information
Thank you for the DIY, it was very helpful in changing my front suspension components. In my opinion, if you are going to replace the the lower control arm, thrust arms, and tie rod, a Pickle fork may be a better choice of tools.
I also bought the Harbor Freight Ball Joint Separator, and although mine did not break, it did take considerable effort on my part tightening the bolt with a combination wrench. Spraying the ball joint stud, and knuckle with WD40 or Penetrating Oil a few hours prior really does help, as does whacking on the knuckle while the Harbor Freight Tool is applying pressure on the Ball Joint Stud.
My lower factory control arm snapped in half while driving and making a U-turn, granted the Thrust arm bushings were gone,unknown to me at the time, and the shimmy I had at highway speeds was misdiagnosed by the alignment shop as a bent wheel which is not bent and now drives problem free.
I also replaced my passenger side upper thrust arm & lower control arm, and was wondering what might be causing this wear on the thrust arms, I know that this sounds crazy, but it looks like some one took a die grinder and ground the control arm in hopes that it would snap while I am driving.
I checked the inner wheels and see no scraping marks, which should be there if that was what caused the gouge on the arm. All four control arms I replaced have a BMW logo, and part number on them so they are probably the original upper and lower control arms.
Jose F. Medeiros
408-256-0649 Google Voice
San Jose, California
http://www.linkedin.com/in/josemedeiros
"There is nothing you can't accomplish if you let another man take the idea".
PICT0002.jpgControlArm1.jpgThrust Arm2.jpg
saved for my to do list.
Gerry
2003 525i M54 Auto E39
thanks for making my efforts on suspension overhauling simple
Current Garage Highlights
2003 525iT TiSilver
2002 M5 TiSilver
1998 528i KASCHMIRBEIGE METALLIC (301) (Goldie)
Former Garage Highlights
2005 X5 4.8is
2004 325iTs (2x)
1973 Pantera L
1971 Dodge Dart Swinger "Lite Package"
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 340 Six Pack Alpine White
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1969 Road Runner 383
1968 Barracuda Formula S 340 Sea Foam Green
Thanks for the excellent write-up. Just installed Sachs OEM sports struts with Vogtland springs (951027). It lowered the car 1/2 all around over the originals (117K on them) and the car rides wonderful.
I'm very happy with this choice as handling has improved without sacrificing ride quality!
Thank you cnn for the DIY. Just did my 2002 530I and I went with Sachs sport shocks and Vogtland springs. I'm very happy with this combination.
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