Weekend Project - Advice?

[KenC]

Parts just came in today:


Control arms and bushings
tie rods
motor and tranny mounts

All Lemfoerder - none of that Meyle shit


Can you guys give me any general advice on the installation of the parts? Jordan and James have already given me some words of wisdom.

[sovann]

Are you using Lemforder offset CABs?

One thing I noticed when i installed mine was that the die used to form the rubber bits leaves a slight protruding parting line on the inside bit that presses onto the control arm... so they're really hard to install unless you trim back the excess rubber a little.

hope i explained that clearly enough :?

[KenC]

Does this still apply if I'm using the OE Sachs bushings (non-offset)?

[Rob]

stick the CAB bushings in the freezer the night before right?

[sovann]

Not sure, you'd have to check for yourself. I guess if you're having problems pushing the CABs on, just check for any excess bits of flaky rubber on the inside bore.

[KenC]

stick the CAB bushings in the freezer the night before right?

I've heard that too. The rubber will shrink. However, it won't make them any easier to get into the brackets since the bushing has a metal rim.

[Rob]

so those have to be pressed in i guess

[Bill 84 318i]

Bushings have to be pressed into the lollipops. Make sure they're oriented right (arrow points to circular mark on lollipop). I'd use M3 bushings if I were you.

I took a 2x4, drilled a 3/4" hole in it, and use a BFH with lots of lube to push the bushing/lollipop onto the new arm. Couple good hits and it slid right on.

I use a pipe wrench on the inner ball joints of the tie rods...makes it real easy to break them loose and tighten them.

Put car on ground as quickly as you can after you get everything back on the car. Let it sit for awhile after you settle the suspension (I leave it for a day to be safe).

Other than that, it's all pretty easy. Have fun breaking the ball joints loose (it's easier this time around, you don't have to worry about fucking up the threads or anything).

[hamann318is]

Get the bushings pressed, unless you're good with a huge vice.

You might have some problems with the middle control arm bolt. Many, many extensions help with that situation.

Did you get new tie rod end lock washers? You might want to pick up a new set if you didn't.

Everything is very straight foward. Your handling afterwards will have a much better feel. :)

[sovann]

Put car on ground as quickly as you can after you get everything back on the car. Let it sit for awhile after you settle the suspension (I leave it for a day to be safe).

Yes, that's the most important step. The very last thing you should install are the CABs. Try to press them on and get the car on the ground as quickly as possible, before the lube dries. Otherwise you'll have some twist/preload in your CABs when the car is at kerb height, which will kill the bushes in no time.

[rs4pro3]

Freeze the Bushing and Heat the bracket in the oven. I did that on mine the first one went together no problem, but the second One I got cockeyed and had to have a friend press it in.

[Schnell 318]

nice shoes

lemmie know if that tightens up your front end alot .... i bet mine stuff is pretty worn

[nando]

use VERY soapy, hot water when you go to put the CAB on the control arm.. just let it soak in there for an hour, makes it much easier to slide on. if you can, I'd try to get the bushing onto the control arm before I put it on the car (it'd be easier to get the bushing on that way), but you have to get the car back on the ground before the soapy water dries up completely since the bushing has to settle. after you do this, don't drive the car for at least a few hours while it dries.

[KenC]

You might have some problems with the middle control arm bolt. Many, many extensions help with that situation.

Did you get new tie rod end lock washers? You might want to pick up a new set if you didn't.

You can get at the inner ball joint nuts with extensions? I have a set that'll make a 2.5 foot one.

Yes, I got new lock washers too.

[KenC]

Freeze the Bushing and Heat the bracket in the oven. I did that on mine the first one went together no problem, but the second One I got cockeyed and had to have a friend press it in.

After I heat/cool, should I just use a vice to press them in?