Front Refresh Advice

[Threehz]

Going to give my front end a much-needed refresh, and I need some advice as to what tools will be needed, extra parts/pieces, and any guides/how-to's. Just want to be as prepared as possible and not get in over my head.

I will be replacing:
Control Arms
Tie Rods
Sway Bar End Links
Sway Bar Bushings
Upper Strut Mounts

So any special tools that will be needed, nuts/bolts that should be replaced with new ones, or bushings that will need pressing?

Any information would be a great help. I just don't want to end up disabling my DD for any length of time.

[jeffnhiscars]

You'll want to replace your control arm bushings as well. Its wise to press them in (although Ive done it without a press) and you may want to make a tool to install the bushings on to the control arms. Keep in mind that it is recommended that you get the cars weight on the wheels within half hour of installing the CA bushings and let it sit there for several hours before you drive it.

You will also want a srping compressor to get your struts apart and use proper axle stands

[AT-JeffT]

Keep in mind that it is recommended that you get the cars weight on the wheels within half hour of installing the CA bushings and let it sit there for several hours before you drive it.

Whys that?

[jeffnhiscars]

Whys that?

You are supposed to use a water based lube to get the bushings on and you want them to settle in their natural position before the lube dries so the bushing are not pre-loaded.

[Threehz]

I do have brand new stock CA bushings, however there are pretty fresh M3 offset bushings on there and I figured i could leave those for now.

What exactly do you mean by proper axle stands?

[jeffnhiscars]

Ive re used CA bushings but they usually get damaged removing them. Either way if you are replacing your control arms you have to install one bushing or another so the suggestions apply.

Axle stands...jack stands...safety 1st is all Im saying.

[Threehz]

Yeah, the whole bushing thing was my biggest concern, popping them in place. I'll look into the whole bushing process in more detail.

Do the sway bar bushing present any similar issues?

[WhyNot]

...safety 1st is all Im saying.

he's 100% right.
i wear a rubber when i burp my worm because i know where my hand has been.
whynot

[StealthiE30]

Where can i purchase a bushing kit at? Or do i have to piece it all together?

[jeffnhiscars]

Yeah, the whole bushing thing was my biggest concern, popping them in place. I'll look into the whole bushing process in more detail.

Do the sway bar bushing present any similar issues?

The sway bar bushing are just a pita. I had some trouble getting the correct sizes & shapes. Besides the different sway bar diameters, BMW changed the shape of most of them. Fortunately, all the new ones (even aftermarket) seem to be the same shape so just get new brackets (PN 31 35 1127 202..I pd $3.33@). Some bushings are split others have to be muscled on with soap & water so you may just want to remove the whole bar and have a 2nd pair of hands to put it back. Lube the bushing in the brackets and use a jack to "help" them in to place so you can get the bolts started.

[jeffnhiscars]

Where can i purchase a bushing kit at? Or do i have to piece it all together?

Not sure which bushings or what you mean by "kit" but I tend to buy individual parts so I can control what brands I get. I have 3 sets of sway bar bushings (2 more to install) & 2 are OEM, 1 is aftermarket. I like the OEM ones (who doesn't) and my dealer gives me great pricing. getmwparts.com is very good for OEM. The sway bar brackets are only OEM so its all about price.

As for control arms, you can buy preinstalled bushings with the brackets (lollipops) but thats a waste of $$ to me since the brackets should last forever. Getting the old bushings out is easily searchable but I used a sawzall to cut the outer ring then froze the new ones, lubed them (with wire pulling water based lube) and actually drove them in quite easily with a hammer and a block of wood. Careful at 1st cause if they kink you are screwed (so a press is really the right way, esp if this is new to you), but oince they get started they will drive in fairly easily.