replacing suspension. Looking for advice

[infurno]

There was some sort of problem with the thread where my post was replaced by a reply from 632 Regal. I left it below.

My suspension is in horrible shape. I am pretty sure every strut and shock is gone. My front end bushings and ball joints are nice and tight, but its still knocking and rattling. The only thing I have not replaced is the shocks, so I think its about time I tackle that.

While I'm at it, I would also like to improve the look of the car by lowering it a bit. I guess that would involve new springs too.

I am trying to find a good deal, spend the least I can and still get something decent. Can't really link to a bavauto page, here is a picture of what I'm looking at:
http://dreamstonestudios.com/delete/shock.JPG

My question is, is that all I need? The car has about 300,000 miles on it by now, and im wondering if there is anything else that needs to be replaced. I want to be sure that after this repair the car will roll as if off the factory. I'm tired of dealing with noise over bumps.

Should I also get the bearings or mounts?

I plan to do all the work myself. Had a look at some how to articles and with the right tools it really does not look that difficult at all.


-----632 Regal
I'm not a real fan of Bilsteins, go with sachs/boge turbo whatevers. I threw away a few boxes of that crap.

[Tiger]

Did you change the front sway bar links? They cause that rattling.

No on Bavarian springs... absolutely no.

Yes in Bilstein Sport and go with either Eibach or... what's that other company...

[infurno]

Yeah. Sway bar links, the idler arm, the center tie rod.. and everything else :(

Thanks for the warning about Bavarian springs.


This is the look I'm aiming for, at least in ground clearance. I plan to get the same wheels too. What springs would you recommend?

http://dreamstonestudios.com/delete/bimmer.jpg

[infurno]

Ah, ok I just got that you meant Eibach springs.

[repenttokyo]

the springs in that pic are quite low. Lower than my Eibach. I have seen the Bavauto cars close to that low, parked beside my car for comparison.but I would not recommend Bavauto springs. I am running Eibachs / Bilstein Sports on my car, and it's great. Car handles very well. Lowering the car and adding sport springs and shocks will create a somewhat rougher ride than stock but I have no complaints. I've done the whole end links / control arms thing too.

It's been many thousands of miles with the new setup and I love it. Best mod I ever made to the car, and I did it for the same reason you did - worn out stock suspension.

here's what my car looks like with my suspension setup:

http://www.bimmernut.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=5892&stc=1&d=1220382858

[bubba966]

It's already been said, but I'll add to it. Just say no o the BAV Springs, go for the Eibachs & Bilstein Sports.

I'd be getting new bumpstops, new mounts, new spring pads, etc. Pretty much everything in this diagram http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=HC23&mospid=47402&btnr=31_0128&hg=31&fg=10

All of that is going to be old and worn out with the miles and age of your car. Do the same for the rears.

You said you've already done the bushings, links, control arms, etc in both front & rear? If not you'll want to do all of that as well.

[repenttokyo]

It's already been said, but I'll add to it. Just say no o the BAV Springs, go for the Eibachs & Bilstein Sports.

I'd be getting new bumpstops, new mounts, new spring pads, etc. Pretty much everything in this diagram http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=HC23&mospid=47402&btnr=31_0128&hg=31&fg=10

All of that is going to be old and worn out with the miles and age of your car. Do the same for the rears.

You said you've already done the bushings, links, control arms, etc in both front & rear? If not you'll want to do all of that as well.

if installing bilsteins and eibachs, bumpstops should be removed, not replaced - otherwise you will end up with no suspension travel. Happened to me. I did replace my spring pads with the 3mm variety.

[uscharalph]

I like the Sach's kit I installed on my car.

[healtoeit]

I'm not a real fan of Bilsteins, go with sachs/boge turbo whatevers. I threw away a few boxes of that crap.

Did you look at Koni? I run Billies and H&R springs, I like them, a little stiff w/ hard tires but I track my car so I need to compromise!

As other have said SAY NO to bav auto springs!

I would upgrade your sway bars at the same time because they help body roll more then springs/shocks

[Dave M]

Eibach pro kit ($400) and new stock boges ($75 each) with 3mm pads. These are not very flaterring photos, but you get an idea of the drop. Its lower than most I've seen, especially in the front.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/dave_macisaac/Bimmer/Misc/Apr182006002.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/dave_macisaac/Bimmer/Misc/Apr182006003.jpg

Dave

[Dave M]

Oh, I wonder what set-up that is in the pic you posted??? Whatever it is, its f'in low and it won't be easy to find-reproduce unless you go looking for some coil-overs or custom crap. Looks cool though.

Dave

[Tiger]

Intrax traditionally has been the lowest of any cars...

[infurno]

Strange. Something went wrong with this thread.

My original text is gone, and below my post it said "Last edited by 632 Regal; Today at 03:51 AM."

"I'm not a real fan of Bilsteins, go with sachs/boge turbo whatevers. I threw away a few boxes of that crap." <- thats not mine

[healtoeit]

Strange. Something went wrong with this thread.

My original text is gone, and below my post it said "Last edited by 632 Regal; Today at 03:51 AM."

"I'm not a real fan of Bilsteins, go with sachs/boge turbo whatevers. I threw away a few boxes of that crap." <- thats not mine

Wierd!

Another thing to consider is those are 18in wheels, so the gap between the wheels/tires and the fender will be smaller because of that too....

[leicesterboy15]

So wheres the original post? I don't know what the questions is?!! Do you have LAD?

[bubba966]

if installing bilsteins and eibachs, bumpstops should be removed, not replaced - otherwise you will end up with no suspension travel. Happened to me. I did replace my spring pads with the 3mm variety.

I was basically trying to say that with the age of his car he should be replacing everything in the strut assembly. Didn't know Bilstein Sports run with Eibach springs require the bumpstops to be removed from the assembly. Don't have Bilstein's in my car (have the factory EDC setup in mine). But have driven a '93 M5 with a Dinan/Bilstein setup and it was pretty nice

I do know that you should never use old bumpstops with a new shock. The M5 guys that were working out rebuilding EDC shocks over in the UK didn't change out their bumpstops when they were testing the rebuilds. And they kept having the top seal of the shock fail after a few hundred to a thousand miles. They finally figured out that the old bumpstop was breaking up and pieces of it were getting stuck between the shock shaft and top seal ruining the seal and rendering the shock dead due to leakage.

[Rick L]

I have Eibach Pro kit with Koni Sport Adjustable. And my car is no way near the drop of your car. Would the difference of struts make the difference the height of the car? I though this was all springs? See the difference...

http://www.iccrents.com/ICC/Driver/BMW525i_1.JPG



Eibach pro kit ($400) and new stock boges ($75 each) with 3mm pads. These are not very flaterring photos, but you get an idea of the drop. Its lower than most I've seen, especially in the front.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/dave_macisaac/Bimmer/Misc/Apr182006002.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/dave_macisaac/Bimmer/Misc/Apr182006003.jpg

Dave

[infurno]

So wheres the original post? I don't know what the questions is?!! Do you have LAD?

Got the original off the cache on the laptop. Fixed the first post.

[uscharalph]

You'll probably need the mounts also.

[repenttokyo]

I was basically trying to say that with the age of his car he should be replacing everything in the strut assembly. Didn't know Bilstein Sports run with Eibach springs require the bumpstops to be removed from the assembly. Don't have Bilstein's in my car (have the factory EDC setup in mine). But have driven a '93 M5 with a Dinan/Bilstein setup and it was pretty nice

I do know that you should never use old bumpstops with a new shock. The M5 guys that were working out rebuilding EDC shocks over in the UK didn't change out their bumpstops when they were testing the rebuilds. And they kept having the top seal of the shock fail after a few hundred to a thousand miles. They finally figured out that the old bumpstop was breaking up and pieces of it were getting stuck between the shock shaft and top seal ruining the seal and rendering the shock dead due to leakage.


yeah. the bilstein sports have an internal bumpstop.

[repenttokyo]

You'll probably need the mounts also.

excellent suggestions. Front mounts are easy enough to inspect, but rear mounts should be replaced at this age when the shocks are done.

[632 Regal]

heres your internal bumpstops... well well all my pictures are gone. nevermind


yeah. the bilstein sports have an internal bumpstop.