Im sure the corteco and lemforders are fine. You can tap the studs out of the original ones and tap them into the new mount. The originals probably are an old production that has been sitting on a shelf at the dealer...
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I'm thinking the same, most likely they have been sitting on a shelf, I can't imagine that they are selling them that often.
Although I'm pretty sure the studs on Corteco mounts will snap during the install, it's not just that, if they skimped on something small like that who knows what kind of quality is the rubber compound. Once I pick up the original ones after Christmas, I'll compare them better and weigh both mounts.
Tie rod center link and ends Made in Turkey.
image.jpg
Even worse, the Bosch plugs for my Porsche say: Made in Russia.
Ditto on the Lemforder suspension links sourced from Turkey.
Welcome to world sourcing. This has been going on for 30 years. 1st run is very expensive, engineering, die designs tested, metallurgy testing, ISO 9001 and DIN/SAE approval standards confirmed. After that run it goes down hill fast. By the 15 year mark most are excited that they can find a part that even fits!
Note to those who have never been exposed to this. This process occurs by the part number not the entire line.
See the product manager for drivers of the process. Some pressure is profit, some is a source that will build low qty runs. Most OE suppliers will make one to three runs of production. After that there is no business case for recreating a line for a small run of parts, as the cost would be a non starter as most owners want a "cheap part" to keep a tired car on the road.
I know now that all sounds abnormal to enthusiasts who spend more on parts than what the car in question is worth. In Europe there are more Eastern Euro sources than what we see here in the US due to marketing/shipping costs. Hell I have seen parts hand formed in India if there is enough demand. No quality controls, metal testing, or fit and finish but it fits the car with a little on the spot "tweaking".
Last edited by StephenVA; 01-16-2019 at 09:41 AM.
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
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 340 Six Pack GoManGo Green
1969 Road Runner 383
1968 Barracuda Formula S 340 Sea Foam Green
Part of the reason why its not always best to change out good old parts "just because your in there" anymore. It used to make sense to just get the whole kit and change everything at once, but that is likely not such a safe bet anymore. I'm approaching 180K and still have many original suspension arms, tie rods, and center link, etc. My thrust arms are original but with Meyle HD X5 bushings that work very good for me. I have a couple rubber boots dry rotting on some ball ends on some of the arms, so I know i need to replace them soon (likely a downgrade from what I have). There is no play in them now.
If you have the ability to properly diagnose play in the ball ends and they pass the test, I would not change them.
98 540i 6, 525 whp, 120 mph 1/4, V3 Si S/C'er @16 psi, W/A I/C, Water/Meth, Supersprint Headers, HJS Cats, 3" Custom Exhaust, UUC Twin Disc, Wavetrac LSD, GC Coil Overs, Monoball TA, AEM FP, Aeromotive FPR, AEM Failsafe AFR/Boost, Style 65's w/275's, M5 Steering Box, Eibach Sways, M3 Shifter, Evans Coolant, 85 Deg Stat, PWM Fan, 10" Subs, B.A. speakers, Grom Aux/BT, Still Rolling as my DD!
All of my suspension is original too (158K) except for the springs (H&R) and the Koni struts/shocks.
I've replaced a few of the rubber boots on the rear arms in the past as the ball joints were fine.
Hey Jim, where do you get the boots?
98 540i 6, 525 whp, 120 mph 1/4, V3 Si S/C'er @16 psi, W/A I/C, Water/Meth, Supersprint Headers, HJS Cats, 3" Custom Exhaust, UUC Twin Disc, Wavetrac LSD, GC Coil Overs, Monoball TA, AEM FP, Aeromotive FPR, AEM Failsafe AFR/Boost, Style 65's w/275's, M5 Steering Box, Eibach Sways, M3 Shifter, Evans Coolant, 85 Deg Stat, PWM Fan, 10" Subs, B.A. speakers, Grom Aux/BT, Still Rolling as my DD!
Yes, they were VW boots. I had to trim the small end to make the hole a bit bigger for the ball socket shaft to fit thru.
I'll look it up, sure I have the info on some computer here.
Looks crafty Jim. My kind of cheapness too. If you find source, let me know. I have a few that need replacement due to cracking.
98 540i 6, 525 whp, 120 mph 1/4, V3 Si S/C'er @16 psi, W/A I/C, Water/Meth, Supersprint Headers, HJS Cats, 3" Custom Exhaust, UUC Twin Disc, Wavetrac LSD, GC Coil Overs, Monoball TA, AEM FP, Aeromotive FPR, AEM Failsafe AFR/Boost, Style 65's w/275's, M5 Steering Box, Eibach Sways, M3 Shifter, Evans Coolant, 85 Deg Stat, PWM Fan, 10" Subs, B.A. speakers, Grom Aux/BT, Still Rolling as my DD!
Here ya go. 99.9% this is the ones I bought.
There is no bottom retaining ring on them so you can either use your existing ring (PITA) or use a few turns of safety wire with the ends twisted together, which is what I did. You can see it in the pic above.
I put a thin coat of black RTV on the end I cut to help seal it to the metal 'hat' it fits under.
You know that if BMW was selling this it would be $15 or more.
https://socalautoparts.com/shop/fron...pper-or-lower/
Last edited by JimLev; 01-15-2019 at 04:22 PM.
Looks good Jim. Thanks for info lookup!
98 540i 6, 525 whp, 120 mph 1/4, V3 Si S/C'er @16 psi, W/A I/C, Water/Meth, Supersprint Headers, HJS Cats, 3" Custom Exhaust, UUC Twin Disc, Wavetrac LSD, GC Coil Overs, Monoball TA, AEM FP, Aeromotive FPR, AEM Failsafe AFR/Boost, Style 65's w/275's, M5 Steering Box, Eibach Sways, M3 Shifter, Evans Coolant, 85 Deg Stat, PWM Fan, 10" Subs, B.A. speakers, Grom Aux/BT, Still Rolling as my DD!
I bought some nice quality replacement boots for my e28 and e34 from Malcolm at https://www.balljointboots.co.uk/. I haven't had the pleasure of replacing any e39 boots yet but I still have a bunch from the variety pack I bought from him.
cheers
demet
^thanks. Lots of sizes!
98 540i 6, 525 whp, 120 mph 1/4, V3 Si S/C'er @16 psi, W/A I/C, Water/Meth, Supersprint Headers, HJS Cats, 3" Custom Exhaust, UUC Twin Disc, Wavetrac LSD, GC Coil Overs, Monoball TA, AEM FP, Aeromotive FPR, AEM Failsafe AFR/Boost, Style 65's w/275's, M5 Steering Box, Eibach Sways, M3 Shifter, Evans Coolant, 85 Deg Stat, PWM Fan, 10" Subs, B.A. speakers, Grom Aux/BT, Still Rolling as my DD!
As all suspension parts are wear items that loose their tolerances one micron at a time, most owners do not even feel the slop until they jump from one car to the next. When in doubt take a road test in a refreshed suspension vehicle and then jump into your 150K++ example. You will be amassed at the "tight/loose" feeling from coming from your hands and butt. I was when I did mine at 100K.
As always, it is your car and your choices.
Last edited by StephenVA; 01-16-2019 at 09:48 AM.
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
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 340 Six Pack GoManGo Green
1969 Road Runner 383
1968 Barracuda Formula S 340 Sea Foam Green
Yup. Any with play get replaced. PRoper checking is needed.
98 540i 6, 525 whp, 120 mph 1/4, V3 Si S/C'er @16 psi, W/A I/C, Water/Meth, Supersprint Headers, HJS Cats, 3" Custom Exhaust, UUC Twin Disc, Wavetrac LSD, GC Coil Overs, Monoball TA, AEM FP, Aeromotive FPR, AEM Failsafe AFR/Boost, Style 65's w/275's, M5 Steering Box, Eibach Sways, M3 Shifter, Evans Coolant, 85 Deg Stat, PWM Fan, 10" Subs, B.A. speakers, Grom Aux/BT, Still Rolling as my DD!
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