Front end random question

[htx_e30]

Hey R3V,

Looking to freshen up my front end (control arms, bushings, tie rods etc) and clear out some bumping, rattling, squeaking, etc sounds, vibrations and so forth that I get from time to time in a 25 year old car...

Long story short, any advice on what to hit first on the list and/or what all I should I hit to replace. Kinda got an idea as mentioned above of what I want to freshen up.. Really just looking for more insight into the ordeal. As far as brands etc, don't want high dollar autocross stuff lol.. Just day to day driver friendly OEM-replacement if any. I'm assuming most can be acquired through pelican-parts..?

Thanks in advance!

Tyler

[htx_e30]

Anyone have any insight at all on what all I should replace for a refresher?


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[ahlem]

Control arms, control arm bushings, strut inserts, upper strut mounts and probably tie rod ends. Get a good front end alignment and have fun. If your car is lowered, you will need strut inserts for a lowered car rather than stock. Check the spring pads while you are in there to be sure they are intact and healthy. Check with Blunttech for the better brand of control arms.

[htx_e30]

Control arms, control arm bushings, strut inserts, upper strut mounts and probably tie rod ends. Get a good front end alignment and have fun. If your car is lowered, you will need strut inserts for a lowered car rather than stock. Check the spring pads while you are in there to be sure they are intact and healthy. Check with Blunttech for the better brand of control arms.

Awesome. Thanks & I will definitely look into all this as well. As far as strut inserts, like as in new shocks or? Sorry bit confused


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[Das Delfin]

^ yes new shocks. He means strut inserts because the shocks are inside the strut assembly. And what he means by lowered shocks is bilstein sports or koni

I replaced the tie rods, springs, shocks, upper strut bearings (aka upper strut mount), and every spring pad. You could also do the control arms and the lollipop mounts. I didn't do mine because I wanted to stay within budget but realistically I should have because it's not much more work. You can buy the lollipop mounts with stock bushings already pressed in at bavauto and maybe elsewhere. Look for Lemforder brand bushings and stuff

[15Michaeljoseph]

I recently did this job as well. Everything related to front end suspension was replaced. What a difference!!!!!!

While you're doing all that work, might not be a bad idea to go ahead and pop on some new wheel bearings as well ;)

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[htx_e30]

Front end random question

^ yes new shocks. He means strut inserts because the shocks are inside the strut assembly. And what he means by lowered shocks is bilstein sports or koni

I replaced the tie rods, springs, shocks, upper strut bearings (aka upper strut mount), and every spring pad. You could also do the control arms and the lollipop mounts. I didn't do mine because I wanted to stay within budget but realistically I should have because it's not much more work. You can buy the lollipop mounts with stock bushings already pressed in at bavauto and maybe elsewhere. Look for Lemforder brand bushings and stuff

Ok I thought so just want to make sure haha. Yeah I'll most likely do koni, because I want to do koni yellows/ground controls. Appreciate the input!

I recently did this job as well. Everything related to front end suspension was replaced. What a difference!!!!!!

While you're doing all that work, might not be a bad idea to go ahead and pop on some new wheel bearings as well ;)

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Awesome to hear! I'm just slowly tackling every angle of the car and refreshing it with new stuff.

Thanks again everyone!

[htx_e30]

Front end random question

So I'm going to go ahead and look into ordering the following from ECS

https://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E30-325i-M20_2.5L/Suspension/Refresh_Kits/ES1892316/

Should cover most of what's been said to replace. I just did my wheel bearings not long ago. My upper strut mounts / spring pads will be done with the new shocks/coil sleeves setup I'm looking to do soon after. So I guess that pretty much covers it all ?








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[15Michaeljoseph]

So I'm going to go ahead and look into ordering the following from ECS

https://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E30-325i-M20_2.5L/Suspension/Refresh_Kits/ES1892316/

Should cover most of what's been said to replace. I just did my wheel bearings not long ago. My upper strut mounts / spring pads will be done with the new shocks/coil sleeves setup I'm looking to do soon after. So I guess that pretty much covers it all ?








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How soon do you plan on coilovers?

So if you go and look at kit contents, you notice that not a single piece of this kit is Lemförder, and the only BMW part is the bolts (which you shouldn't need anyway). In general, we try to stay away from the brands like Uro and Vaico... But Uro most of all. Before you pull the trigger I ask that you try pricing out the 'kit' piece by piece for the 'best, oem' brand stuff. No hate to ECS, but you might be able to price it out cheaper elsewhere, I used FCP Euro when I did it, they were cheapest for lemforder.

Lemförder will last longer, and the quality of the rubber will be much better over Uro.

If you take my advice and go ahead and put a cart together, you don't need those bolts, and unless yours are broken or highly corroded, you don't need the CAB brackets either... You just press (or burn (; ) the old CABs out and press the new ones into your old housing.

But essentially, yes you want the rest of that kit.

Also, if you're doing the coilovers really soon, you could cheap out on the strut mounts (reuse the ones you have?) and not even bother buying spring pads

But as for the arms and links and tie rods.... You want good parts.

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[htx_e30]

How soon do you plan on coilovers?

So if you go and look at kit contents, you notice that not a single piece of this kit is Lemförder, and the only BMW part is the bolts (which you shouldn't need anyway). In general, we try to stay away from the brands like Uro and Vaico... But Uro most of all. Before you pull the trigger I ask that you try pricing out the 'kit' piece by piece for the 'best, oem' brand stuff. No hate to ECS, but you might be able to price it out cheaper elsewhere, I used FCP Euro when I did it, they were cheapest for lemforder.

Lemförder will last longer, and the quality of the rubber will be much better over Uro.

If you take my advice and go ahead and put a cart together, you don't need those bolts, and unless yours are broken or highly corroded, you don't need the CAB brackets either... You just press (or burn (; ) the old CABs out and press the new ones into your old housing.

But essentially, yes you want the rest of that kit.

Also, if you're doing the coilovers really soon, you could cheap out on the strut mounts (reuse the ones you have?) and not even bother buying spring pads

But as for the arms and links and tie rods.... You want good parts.

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Ok good to know! I had found this kit:


"A front suspension overhaul in one kit! Kit includes front control arms, front control arm bushings, left and right tie rod assemblies, and front sway bar links.

Part NumberE30 FT SUSP LEM
Front Suspension Kit - Lemfoerder $345"

On Bavauto & was considering it also, until I found the prior on ECS that included more for less. But yeah I'll definitely take the advice on going with Lemföerder made parts for a little more $ for the quality and insight of quality from another member. They also sell the lollipops with already pressed bushing as well for another $40/side if I don't go with the burning of the old CABs out ;)




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[htx_e30]

Oh and on the Coilovers, I plan on getting the setup at the same time if not a little sooner to do it all at once.


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[15Michaeljoseph]

Oh and on the Coilovers, I plan on getting the setup at the same time if not a little sooner to do it all at once.


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Perfect! Glad to hear you're going with the better parts, its worth not having to do it again. It's a lot of work but your car will thank you.

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[htx_e30]

Perfect! Glad to hear you're going with the better parts, its worth not having to do it again. It's a lot of work but your car will thank you.

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For sure! I appreciate the help & advice sir.


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[15Michaeljoseph]

For sure! I appreciate the help & advice sir.


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Any time, my good fellow. :)

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[Das Delfin]

^ def get that lemforder kit from bavauto because you don't need the upper bearings anyway so why pay for them? Put that money toward quality parts!