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Thread: RRT Thrust arms!

  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Sydney, Australia
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    2,699

    Default RRT Thrust arms!

    I got my hands on these very recently and went to install them. I've only done one side so far. It took me about 5 hours total, to do the one side. I followed Bill R's excellent advice here. I wacked the old arm out mounting the bottom strut holder on some bricks, I don't have impact sockets. I left the strut in and unbolted the lower swaybar link, tie rod ball joint and the two control arms bolts. I changed all the steering links a few months ago, so everything unbloted really easy. It would be a lot easier with two people if one holds for strut for you as you have to align everythign correctly, but anyway, real men don't need a helping hand

    How do you torque the bolts under load if you don't have some car ramps. I didn't torque the bolts under load. I think I torqued them around 80nm, with some 28? locktite. I've only done one side so far and the left is still the old arms. I haven't pushed the car yet. I'm waiting for the skies to clear (there was actually rain here!), so to give a full description of what they are like, will take a few more days. You can see the "bushing", little to no compliance. But initial vechile noise harshness suggests there is little change going over bumps.

    I also found this link describing them.




    Last edited by BigKriss; 01-06-2006 at 08:58 AM.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Eastern Tennessee USi
    Posts
    14,843

    Default

    I never saw bushings like that.

    Chris, nail a bunch of 2 x 10s together if you cant afford ramps, to torque them under load it really has to be under the weight of the car or the bushings will get trashed in a hurry.
    95 E34 530I V2.37
    ===========
    Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.

    John F. Kennedy

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Nashville, TN
    Posts
    111

    Default

    I installed some control arms on my old Passat and didn't tighten them under load. The inside bushings were trashed in under a month. They get all twisted like an indian sunburn.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Tampa Bay, Florida, USA
    Posts
    900

    Default

    Chris,

    Check out st1100ray's procedure for preloading the front suspension, esp the bit about 'relaxing' the load using a sledgehammer after you set the weight down.

    I was surprised how much the suspension moved out to the side with a good whack.

    http://community.webshots.com/photo/...99458744PnHQyt
    Ramon
    1994 540iA Nikasil EAT Chip
    Tampa Bay, Florida USA

  5. #5
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Sydney, Australia
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    Default

    Thanks for the comments guys. I know I'm asking the same question, but do I need to torque them under load with these bushings?

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Eastern Tennessee USi
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    Default

    unless they are ball bearing your answer is YES.
    Quote Originally Posted by BigKriss
    Thanks for the comments guys. I know I'm asking the same question, but do I need to torque them under load with these bushings?
    95 E34 530I V2.37
    ===========
    Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.

    John F. Kennedy

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    Reston Va
    Posts
    459

    Default

    Kriss - Email RRT and ask them. The Torque under load procedure was mandated by BMW to slow the failure of their poorly designed Bushings on our cars.

    RRT will give you the definitive answer. My suspicion is that since these are metal Mil-Spec Bearings you just need to Torque to spec.

    Hope this helps - Jt
    Johntee540
    1994 540/6 Black - Tan - 199k
    Cardomain Site: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/737181/1

  8. #8
    Join Date
    May 2004
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    Sydney, Australia
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    Default

    Thanks John, I emailed RRT and I'll tell you what they have to say.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
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    404

    Default

    Looks like a spherical bearing, which doesn't have to be tightened under load. The inner race of the bearing where the bolt passes thru should have been free to spin, unlike the center sleeve of the factory bushing.

    The bearing is probably similar to the on page 348.
    http://www.timken.com/industries/tor...ller/plain.pdf

    Paul Shovestul


    Quote Originally Posted by BigKriss
    ..........I know I'm asking the same question, but do I need to torque them under load with these bushings?
    Last edited by Bellicose Right Winger; 01-06-2006 at 09:50 AM.
    .....Got to keep the loonies on the paath.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Chapel Hill, NC
    Posts
    94

    Default No need

    Kriss-
    You do not need to torque these bushings under load. Just torque to spec as John suggests. This is what Barry Battle (RRT) told me. You'll love these things. You might notice a slight increase in road noise, but the car sets-up much quicker on turn-in, almost seems like oversteer.
    Have fun- and good luck

    Quote Originally Posted by BigKriss
    Thanks John, I emailed RRT and I'll tell you what they have to say.
    Chip
    '92 535i 5sp
    EAT chip, Sachs kit, RRT sport control and upper thrust arms, SS brakelines, Camber plates, Subframe inserts, 3.64 Diff, M5 (3.6L) calipers.
    '87 325iS

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