IX Suspension Upgrade.. More Problems.. More $$

[Kershaw]

Don't worry about stripping it. Torque spec is something like 280-330ft/lbs (I've seen both). I put my 4' jack handle slipped over my 18" breaker bar and bear down. It's REALLY important you do this the first time after installation since everything will still cinch down a bit more. After the initial installation, using my milwaukee 1/2" is just fine. But that first installation really needs to be cranked down with some force.

I hope you haven't driven it yet. If you have, jack the front end up and wiggle the tires top to bottom. If they wiggle, try really cranking on the bolt. If they still wiggle, the bearing is toast. And they will wiggle until everything is bolted in and torqued down. Has anyone stripped ever one of those nuts? It's a big nut, I'd imagine it'd take more power than you could put down by hand. I've uninstalled and reinstalled those nuts dozens of times. Too many times too think about, goddamn cv boots... And I hope you put anti-seize on the half shaft splines.

And those struts weren't rusty at all. Everything looked like good solid metal. You can complain about rusty struts when the spring perches have holes and the top threads are peeling off. Those look like great condition struts and if they came with good hubs that's even better news.

I wonder if a machine shop could remove the old strut insert tubes. Drill them out or whatever.

[JIM1inWisconsin]

ix suspension

Torque to 150lbs should be ok. All my wheel bearings have been replaced in the last three years and both mechanics who did the work came up with 145lb specs per their research. Never had a problem with this.

[95BMWIC]

The nut is knarled a bit - because I didnt have a new one. The damn metal is so soft on those things..

A couple of years ago I rounded one completely on the passenger side.

It wasn't entirely my fault - Im pretty sure it was put on with an impact wrench because I could not get a socket cleanly on it.. I ruined the axle shaft splines cutting it out.. I was so pissed.. Now Im gun shy - Pun intended

280 - 330 seems high (Nm?) - although I think the front bearing torque on a 325i is 200+ ft lbs..

Torque to 150lbs should be ok. All my wheel bearings have been replaced in the last three years and both mechanics who did the work came up with 145lb specs per their research. Never had a problem with this.

That makes me feel better..

[nando]

the front bearing on the 325i doesn't have power going through it. it also uses a much smaller bearing.

I believe the 300ft/lbs is correct. However, again, I just tighten them down with the cheater bar and haven't had any problems.