Front suspension full replace any tips.

[mrbeef612]

HI all I am new to the E30's but I have been a mechanic for about 7 years some for a job most of it for fun. I am going to be doing a FULL front end rebuild on my 90 E30 Sedan. I have new control arms and bushings bilsten front and rear shocks Eibac sport springs front sway bar end links a new rack and inner and outer tie rods and all the parts to replace the shocks and struts. Now most of this I will have no problem replacing but does any one have any tips for putting in the bushing in the lollipops and then putting the control arm in them? I have a spare set of lollipops that I can use. And if any one has any other good tips on doing this work let me know... I will be documenting the whole process...

[davem]

Take the new control arm bushings and have them pressed into your spare lollipops by a shop with a press, they shouldn't charge you much to do that. Then right before you install the control arms on the car push the lollipops onto the new control arms (use a bit of soapy water for lubrication if necessary). Pushing the lollipops onto the arms when they're already installed is really hard if the car is on jack stands.

[mrbeef612]

Ok thanks... I am lucky to have access to a lift....

[rasputin]

count your threads when taking off your outer tie rods, will help when you go to get it aligned.

soak everything in PB, get a BFH, and have a breaker bar on hand.

good luck

[Vivek]

Take the new control arm bushings and have them pressed into your spare lollipops by a shop with a press, they shouldn't charge you much to do that. Then right before you install the control arms on the car push the lollipops onto the new control arms (use a bit of soapy water for lubrication if necessary). Pushing the lollipops onto the arms when they're already installed is really hard if the car is on jack stands.

I have to say that from experience this won't work. You can use a vice and basically squish the edges of the bushings to fuck it up enough to beat it out of the lollipop (I use a round spacer that fits perfectly which helps). Then just squeeze the new bushings in with the vice, it's fairly straightforward. The issue I've had was getting OE rubber bushings onto the control arms. I paid a shop $25 to do that one. If you use AKG race bushings (in my opinion, you can't notice the harshness over rubber) they slide onto the CA with zero effort and can be pounded in and out of the lolli in seconds with just a mallet.

[rasputin]

you can order the lollipop on control arm, costs few bucks extra.

if you want to do it yourself, use a deep socket and a press and silcone spray, wd40 and things of that such degrade rubber.

i have a tool machined to do this exact job, hollow inside, bevelled edge that sits on the metal part of the CAB and a flat end to contact a press. but a socket will suffice lol

[jeffnhiscars]

Last time I froze the bushing, heated the lollipop in boiling water then pounded it in using a block of wood and some lube to get it started. If you can get past 1/4" without it binding, you are home free.

[ScHpAnKy]

I used the actual BMW CAB installation tool a few times on mine, worth every penny of $70 since it turned such a bitch job into a 5min per side affair.

[butters]

you can order the lollipop on control arm, costs few bucks extra.

I've been looking around to find a vendor that sells new arms with bushings installed in lollipops and onto the arms. Haven't had luck. Came across this old thread so I am bumping it. Is this actually available somewhere? Or is it so easy that I should just order from Bimmerworld and assemble the lollipop/bushing onto the arm when they arrive?

[Cletonius]

If the ends of your control arms are corrosion free, the bushings will slide on with some dawn and elbow grease. If they won't go on the end of the arm isn't clean enough.

I spent tons of time screwing around with hammers, sockets, and all sorts of pieces. Once I cleaned up the end of the arm with a file and some emery cloth they slipped on (by hand, no tools) without much hassle.

Edit: I used lemforder offset E30 M3 CABS when I did mine, reused the old arms after pressing new ball joints

[IronFreak]

get some mineral cloth to clean it. I have treehouse cabs, I clean mine up with mineral cloth a bit, didn't even need dawn. It was tight but I was able to push it in.

[Smelser]

when using offset, wich way does the arrow go?, or, to wich side does the hole go?

[Cletonius]

when using offset, wich way does the arrow go?, or, to wich side does the hole go?

Arrow should point at the raised bump in the lollipop.

I had to Google image search when I was pressing mine just to be sure.