thrust arm ???? which type to use...??

[bigmuthatrucker]

I know this has been beat to death but...first of all most of the front suspension seems to be probamatic.. However after doing a couple of searches I am at a loss for which bushings to use 735 ones I am looking to buy but there are several different types. Which ones are of decent quality? Has anyone used the polyurethane one's? Any help would be great
thanks
jimmy

[bigmuthatrucker]

the thrust arm bushings seem to be the biggest problem overall right???

[Tiger]

If you really read everything... then you wouldn't ask this question.

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

If your like the street ride, then stick to 750, 850, M bushings

Poly stuff is a little rough for most on the street.

[632 Regal]

I am going to do the M5 bushings onto the Lemforder arms and finally be done.

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

I thought you got a free-bee set.

[bigmuthatrucker]

Tiger
Why even post if you are going to be rude..???

[bigmuthatrucker]

I am looking for mainly durability..I dont want to have to change them in 30K
thanks
jim

[ska-texas]

I just did the M bushing. Nice feel and still not harsh. You should be very happy with them.

[pundit]

31121141097KIT Lemforder Thrust Arms w/750i bushings pressed in (http://www.bmaparts.com/item.wws?mfr=LEMFORDER&sku=31121141097KIT&price=105.00&orpartno=***********&cookieID=1VC1CQCM21VC1CQZFK&drillid=9&image=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ebmaparts%2Ecom%2Fitemimag es%2F31121141097kit%2EJPG)

http://www.bmaparts.com/itemimages/31121141097kit.JPG

Contact Patrick at BMA (http://www.bmaparts.com)

[bigmuthatrucker]

sources for M5 bushings or part number please thanks'
jim

[bfd]

I think there is some confusion as to what is a "750i bushing." Some on this board have grumbled that their "750i bushing," bought from BMA, did not last more than 30K or 40K and have instead gone to either polyurethrane or E34 M5 bushing. Further, some have claimed that their 750 bushing is NOT liquid filled.

It appears BMA sells its lemforder arms with either Meyle or Sach bushing installed. Its not clear whether the "750i bushing" from either of these companies are liquid filled or *true* 750i bushing. Does it make a difference? Maybe.

There is a specific Boge part for the 750i bushing:

http://tinyurl.com/feltk

Yet, BMA site only list Meyle or Sach bushing:

http://tinyurl.com/fbukn

Some have mentioned that Sach and Boge are the same company, but is the Sach 750i bushing sold by BMA appears to be different from the Boge bushing.

Btw, in 1989 BMW issued a thrust arm service bulletin that specified a bushing, p/n 31 12 1 136 606 and warned that hydraulic fluid would leak if improperly installed.

P/n 31 12 1 136 606 has since been discontinued.

Service Information Bulletin Number 31 02 88 (1782), January 1989
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: Thrust Rod Bushing
Model: 5 Series (E-34) produced up to mid-November 1988
Situation: E-34 vehicles produced prior to the chassis numbers listed
below may not have the hydraulic thrust rod bushings installed,
which can be recognized by a plastic clip on each side of the
bushing.
[Translation: car *should* have hydraulic TRB which has white
plastic triangular-shaped washer around the hole on either end
of the bushing; early production cars may have non-hydraulic
versions.]

Model Chassis Number
----- --------------
525i 151 8697
525iA 208 4059
535i 217 3993
535iA 209 3600

Correction: Replace the rubber thrust rod bushings with the hydraulic style,
P/N 31 12 1 136 606. This should be done as part of the Pre-Delivery
Inspection on any vehicles that have not yet been sold, or during the next
workshop visit of cars that have already been retailed. [emphasis on
previous sentence here.]

Installation Information

For removal of thrust rods use special tools 88 88 6 312 140,
see S.I. 04 01 89 (1787).

To avoid damage to the hydraulic bushings, they must be installed very
carefully, by strictly following the guidelines below. Improper
installation will damage the rubber and cause the loss of hydraulic fluid.
If this happens, the bushing will not function as designed.

a) Use only BMW special tools (numbers 88 88 6 311 052 and 88 88 6 311 053)
in a hydraulic press to install the bushings. Any other method may cause
the bushing to [Oops!] to one side, damaging the bushing.
b) Before pressing in, align the arrow cast into the plastic clip of the
bushing to the indicator cast into the thrust rod.
c) Check the contact area of tool 88 88 6 311 052 on the bushing. Contact
must only be made on the outer metal sleeve of the bushing. If the tool
contacts the plastic clip, file a small amount of material off the points
of the clip to allow the tool to sit squarely on the metal sleeve without
contacting the plastic.
d) When re-installing the thrust rod assembly, care should be taken to
ensure that the plastic clips and rubber portion of the bushing are not hit
or damaged.

Bottom line, IF you haven't already bought your parts, it would be wise to spec lemforder control arms and BOGE 750i control arm bushings, p/n: 31 12 1 136 607.

Or if you want the E34 M5 bushing, ask for Boge, p/n 31 12 2 226 528

http://tinyurl.com/jsl3s

[bigmuthatrucker]

thanks man I was getting confused as well due to all the conflicting opinions of each brand. As well as some people saying that the e32 ones are of poor quality. I am probably going with the e32 ones with the green middles..
cheers
jim

[BigKriss]

Don't be a wuss and get some steel bushes. (http://www.bimmer.info/forum/showthread.php?t=17506)

[pundit]

Don't be a wuss and get some steel bushes. (http://www.bimmer.info/forum/showthread.php?t=17506)
Oh yeah and while your fillings are falling out you can experience the sensation of the discs rupturing in your spine like 'popping bubble wrap' as you pass over every ripple on the road. :D

[BigKriss]

I know, while there fun at first, the tradeoff of performance vs comfort is not worth it. You get sick of them after a while.


Oh yeah and while your fillings are falling out you can experience the sensation of the discs rupturing in your spine like 'popping bubble wrap' as you pass over every ripple on the road. :D

[craigmo]

I just replaced mine last weekend. I used Polyurethane from powerflex, http://www.powerflex.co.uk/. I had done the 750 bushing upgrade previously and they only? lasted like a year and a half. :(

I don't feel like the polyurethane has added any harshness to my ride...

[tim s]

they are definitly harder. but i also replaced struts & springs at the same time.
tim s.

[632 Regal]

wonder how long they will last

[bfd]

I just replaced mine last weekend. I used Polyurethane from powerflex, http://www.powerflex.co.uk/. I had done the 750 bushing upgrade previously and they only? lasted like a year and a half. :(

I don't feel like the polyurethane has added any harshness to my ride...

Interesting. I would ask 2 questions:

- did you really have "750i bushings," i.e., where they the liquid filled ones made by Boge?

- if so, was it properly installed? i.e., where the front wheels fully weighted before doing the final tightening of the bushing bolt when re-assembling.

Let us know whether you're urethane bushings squeak.

[bigmuthatrucker]

can I just get complete M5 thrust arms and replace the 525 ones with those?

[632 Regal]

Hmmmm.... great question!
can I just get complete M5 thrust arms and replace the 525 ones with those?

[632 Regal]

#7 and 8, im researching now...

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=HD93&mospid=47412&btnr=31_0250&hg=31&fg=05&hl=44

[Paul in NZ]

i think pundit knows the answer.......one moment please

[Paul in NZ]

Originally Posted by BigKriss
Pundit, why didn't you purchase M5 thrust arms?

To my knowledge only the lower arms are aluminium on the M5.
The E34 M5's use the same Lemforder (steel) thrust arms as the standard E34's.
The difference is in the bushes.
The M5 bushes are stiffer again than the 750 bushes.
I'm trying to maintain a little ride comfort if I can.
If the 750 bushes give out inside 2 years then I'll consider some M5 bushes

ahem

[632 Regal]

patrick says they can do the lemforder arms with the M5 bushing pressed in for us!!!!

[craigmo]

Interesting. I would ask 2 questions:

- did you really have "750i bushings," i.e., where they the liquid filled ones made by Boge?

- if so, was it properly installed? i.e., where the front wheels fully weighted before doing the final tightening of the bushing bolt when re-assembling.

Let us know whether you're urethane bushings squeak.


I will share if they start to squeak. I have heard the need for an occasional lube.

I did really have 750i bushings and all the installation was done by a very reputable shop that I have used numerous times; www.edgemotorworks.com

[bigmuthatrucker]

well sweet Thats good news I was looking to go to advanced auto and just order a set of m5 thrust arms from there I get a huge discount... I just got a Behr Fan clutch for 62.00 Cha Ching I post how they work when I get them on...

thanks
jim

[632 Regal]

dude dont go low budget arms... do it once like im gonna do, i have done the cheap route several times...

[bigmuthatrucker]

well these arent low budget they are 100.00 per side Mcquay-Norris lower arms made for an m5. plus whenever the go bad I can get new ones one the house..
jim

[632 Regal]

lemforders are around that at BMA, is the bushing included?

[bigmuthatrucker]

the bushings are included. 100 per side is without my discount they will probably be around 150.00 total for both sides..
Ill let you know how they are
thanks
jim

[genphreak]

patrick says they can do the lemforder arms with the M5 bushing pressed in for us!!!!I reckon the BMW bushings are designed to fail but in the time they work they provide good operation - ie a nive trade-off in comfort and performance. Perhaps M5/750 bushings will last a little longer, but it may also be marginal. M5 is the best of all form the reports, but perhaps polyurethane provides the best longevity. I had a set of Grunt's solid polyurethane bushings (Aussie made by Noltec (http://www.noltec.com.au/)), they were excellent and I could never see them going wrong as they were very sturdy.

See here for details;
http://www.noltecsuspension.com/product/search.php?selBrand=15&product_vhcid=83

At present I've got standard replacment ones in (from Sidem (http://www.sidem.be/sidem-product-catalogue.asp)) which feel fine. When they go I want to put Grunties back in. Will report when and how to y'all... :) Nick

[NovceGuru]

Sweet,

I just checked my lower control arms and it seems they are the aluminum M5 control arms, too bad they are worn out! I'm 90% sure the tierod ends are worn or i'd just press some m5 bushings in, have to check that :). I think i'm with JeffB and am going to order lemforders with M5 bushings if they are...


NovceGuru

[zhandax]

Hopefully no one will go postal, but if my stock E34 bushings lasted 130k miles before I got the 55mph shimmy why try some 'upgrade' that will only last a year or two? Does BMA sell the original E34 OEM bushings? I thought I might try to get the control arms replaced before I go out of town this weekend, but it may be better to spend more time to decide what replacement bushings to use. I like the idea of the M5 bushings but I like the idea that the originals lasted 12 years better.

[R1daveg]

I replaced near every front end part last August with Febi Bilsteins and thier "M5" thrust bushings. Shimmy had been scary, but became only a very minor vibration at @110km/h.
In the last few months the vibration is getting worse, and the car tramlines fairly hard now too.

Any comments or similar experiences?