Tighten things up on a budget!

[rmousir]

Hey all,

I would like to give my suspension a make over and tighten things up. What Can I do to really give my car an improvement that is easy on the wallet. This can be a DIY sort of thing, I have no problems with that but it must be inexpensive, this is just the daily driver. The first thing I am thinking about doing is going to my local parts store and picking up some poly bushings for the sway bars..

What do you folks suggest? What is the best bang for the buck?

Thanks.

[Dave]

See what of the rubber and wear bits are worn.

Control arm, trailing arm and subframe bushings are all ones to check.

Likewise, checking the boots and play in the ball joints and tie rod ends are needed. Sway bar end links are also a cheap and easy maintenance item. What is the condition of the shocks and shock mounts?

I see you are in Cincinnati. Shoot me a PM if you want to know some places to go for work or parts around here. I am happy to give you any advice I can. I have owned 5 e30s, so I know them fairly well.

[Van Westervelt]

CAs, CABs and tie rods are a given.

[xLibelle]

imo, the biggest bang for the buck are proper shocks. if the ones in your car are blown, no bushings are going to clean up the ride more than that.
by the time you add up the cost for new bushings, youve just about bought a new set of billies.

[rmousir]

OK.. I will check out the bushings.. any where I can find a kit that will replace all the necessary spots?

The ball joints and tie rods all seem pretty tight. Tell me more about shocks and where I can find them at good prices.. Maybe even used from someone who is upgrading.

To be honest the car handles really well and I am sure that if I went with a lower profile tire/rim combo it would make a huge difference.

[Van Westervelt]

Without knowing what all is bad or worn out, no one part is knowingly going to tighten or fix slop.

[rmousir]

I agree 100%.. With this being my first E30 I am not sure what the best starting point is so I wanted to see what my options are.. Now my other car, I have it down and know what to do with it. Is there a thread or a typical list of what to do and in what order?

[xLibelle]

get a new set of control arm bushings. this will solidify your steering response.
the other stuff is a bitch to replace and wont deliver the "bang" youre looking for.

obviously, if something is worn, it should be replaced. but being that youre in an '87, its probably likely that the shocks are shot (if original) and the other components have held up better than you think.

the questions you need to ask yourself are, what is sloppy? is it wandering/swimming? is it uneasy in a turn? is the ride bouncy? does the drive line have an effect on the ride quality?
if youre looking for parts, you need to start using the search function. these issues have been covered time and time again. matter of fact, pony up and purchase new bilsteins, dont bother with used.

[Knockenwelle]

I've got a set (4) of good used Bilstein HDs sitting in my shed, waiting for your car. Not exactly a performance-oriented option, but a very nice upgrade for the daily. And they're cheap.

[SpecM]

I've got a set (4) of good used Bilstein HDs sitting in my shed, waiting for your car. Not exactly a performance-oriented option, but a very nice upgrade for the daily. And they're cheap.

how cheap?

[rmousir]

I would ask the same question.. How cheap?