Control arm bushing

[DerBayer]

Replaced the shocks, sway bar links and control arms w/ bushings on my car today. Pressed in the bushings without lining up the arrow with the outer mark on the housing...Dont ask why?! Could this be a problem or can i leave it as is? Also, does it take some time for the bushing to settle..? Thanks for the input fellas...

[richardodn]

In general, yes its a problem. How far off are you?

[mmark.]

If you used centered bushings, I would not be too concerned.
If you used offset M3 bushings, then the front end geometry would not be optimum if they were not installed correctly.

m

[DerBayer]

They are centered bushings...Car seems to ride fine, but my allignment is a bit off. Did the job with a friend of mine who pressed in the bushings while i was working on other things. He mentioned the arrow after the install! Did not feel like taking them out again and decided to mount on the C-arm. Have to check again how far off the arrow is...

[DerBayer]

Also, the car sits up bit higher than before the suspension work. Oem IS springs and seated properly. Not sure, but is there an adjustment period before the bushings and springs 'settle"?

[mmark.]

If you are using high pressure gas dampers, the car will sit slightly higher.
There should be some settling of the control arms as the weight of the car overcomes some of the initial binding of the new "tight" tolerances.
if you replaced the springs with new, then the old ones had some sag with age, or had been "heat" treated to lower the car.
m

[DerBayer]

If you are using high pressure gas dampers, the car will sit slightly higher.
There should be some settling of the control arms as the weight of the car overcomes some of the initial binding of the new "tight" tolerances.
if you replaced the springs with new, then the old ones had some sag with age, or had been "heat" treated to lower the car.
m

Thanks for the feedback...Installed the B4 bilstein struts, definitely a firmer ride and the car handles well. Running the original springs and you are correct indeed, they certainly lost some 'spring' after 16 years. Any suggestions on springs that would be compatible with the Bilsteins...? H/R, vogtland, ...? Am ok with the car sitting a little higher since the roads in San Diego are truly crap...

[mmark.]

The Bilsteins are raising the suspension.
I prefer suspension travel on the street, so I use E30 M3 springs with the Bilstein sport.

Not much you can do to the front alignment.
Camber can be adjusted with Camber plates. The re are fixed plates (good for street, No noise or increased NVH) or adjustable ones which will be noisy on the street.
Third option would be E30 m3 offset strut bushings to increase negative camber.
Toe can be adjusted with a couple of straight 2"x4"x 20" bits of wood and a couple of tape measures.

m

[DerBayer]

The Bilsteins are raising the suspension.
I prefer suspension travel on the street, so I use E30 M3 springs with the Bilstein sport.

Not much you can do to the front alignment.
Camber can be adjusted with Camber plates. The re are fixed plates (good for street, No noise or increased NVH) or adjustable ones which will be noisy on the street.
Third option would be E30 m3 offset strut bushings to increase negative camber.
Toe can be adjusted with a couple of straight 2"x4"x 20" bits of wood and a couple of tape measures.

m

Again Mark, thanks for the input. Decided to order the B4's for the rear and go against someone's suggestion to replace struts and shocks with KYBs and leave the stock springs in place. How do you feel about the HR OE sports with the B4 combo? Read that it is a pretty good fit along with some advice from a HR tech guy. Now, curious about the M3 springs. Any sources that sell them in particular? Thanks again,
Cheers
Bane

[Jeffnhiscars]

The CAB should have a water based lube when you install the CA and the car should be on the ground very quickly (depending on the lube) with the weight on the suspension. Otherwise you risk preloading the CAB and shortening its life.

the lube allows the CAB to settle unstressed before it dries and locks on to the CA