Steering refresher..question.

[kyle318is]

I am in need of an entire front end refresher but on a limited budget.
I will pretty much need everything from control arms, bushing, wheel bearings, springs, shocks, sways, tie rods, etc... Basically everything to do with steering..

It is a pretty beat up car, I did not take care of it when I was younger and now I'm paying the price. I am wondering if it would be worth it to invest in another vehicle or replace all the steering components. It is the m42 as well, I could use some advice here. I don't want to spend a ton of money on it but I would love to bring it back to fierce driving quality. It drives like a sport boat now, all floppy and loose.

Any & all thoughts are welcomed and appreciated.

[efficient]

If you enjoy the e30, I would refresh the suspension. If you can do the work yourself you'd save on labor charges if not your probably better off selling it someone else and just buy yourself one of those cool prius'es

[Som]

Are you looking to replace with performance parts or stock? I'm guessing stock since performance parts would mean matching rear suspension work.

Do you know what's actually broken on the car? What you're describing, to me, sounds like 90% old shocks.

I don't know if sways themselves ever really go bad, or springs for that matter. Also, are you sure your wheel bearings need replacing? I've really only ever replaced it when I'm hearing noises turning in one direction or the other.

Here's what I'd refresh, with order of priority:

1. Shocks. And I'd probably just look for a set since if your fronts are going out, I'd guess your rears are probably close, too (assuming they were installed around the same time).

I guess you could go cheap on this... a quick search on Google brought up these KYBs for the front:https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...3eEaAtia8P8HAQ for $45/each. I imagine you could find some Bilsteins for a little more, which would probably be a better choice -- and it would probably be worth doing the rears, too.

2. Control arm ball joints. Basically the easiest option here is new control arms with the ball joints pressed. Get the Lemforder ones. http://www.ecstuning.com/ES1844090/ and http://www.ecstuning.com/ES1844091/. About $220. Probably could be found cheaper elsewhere, and if you wanted a cheaper brand, even cheaper.

3. Control arm bushing. Should be able to find a stock one for around $20-30?

4. Strut hat. Stock: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...nt-31331139452 That's the "Genuine BMW" one for $50/each, but I'm guessing you can find cheaper alternatives. Pelican sells the OEM labeled version for $35 http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/...SUSSHK_pg3.htm.

5. Tie rods. Probably somewhere from $20-50 each, depending on brand. So maybe $80 total for decent ones?

6. Wheel bearings. This would be ranked higher if you're hearing noises. Decent Meyle set for $180 https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...-31211131297my.

7. Sway bar links. About $20-30 for both.

8. Sway bar.

9. Springs.

On a super tight budget, I'd probably just do 1 to 3 for around $350-400. Before I start spending money on #4+, I'd probably consider spending more money on the shocks -- and maybe even consider upgrading shocks and springs. If you're looking for handling, you could do a set of sport springs + sport shocks for around $7-800, which would bring 1 to 3 cost around a grand.

Of course, that's all buying new. Light-to-moderately used shocks/springs seem to come up for sale pretty regularly and would probably save you a few hundred bucks. Sways probably wouldn't hurt to buy used, either. I'd buy the rest of the stuff new, though.

I just refreshed all of the suspension on my car over the last year prepping it for SE30, so I had a few of these links handy from my build spreadsheet. :)

Som

[Som]

Heh... I didn't even think about the steering rack itself (since I never changed mine... out of sight, out of mind, I guess). And the associated steering column U joint bushing.

I'd probably swap everything else first, before trying to fix anything with a new steering rack.

Som