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Thread: Your Advice Wanted -- Shocks/Springs/Steering DIY

  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Maryland
    Posts
    1,027

    Default Your Advice Wanted -- Shocks/Springs/Steering DIY

    I'm about to start removing my shocks, springs, and steering components.

    The replacements are Lemforder, H&R springs, and KYB shocks.

    If you've done this job yourself can you offer me any tips or tricks that will make my week go easier?

    Are there any parts you found you needed in the middle of the job so that i can order them now?

    Cheers,
    Evan
    1994 540ia|Oxford Green Metallic|Lemforder|KYB in H&R|18" OE Staggered M-Parallel with Pirelli P-Zero

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
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    T·O·R·O·N·T·O
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    Default

    - presoak in some PBBlaster to prep for strut removal.
    - something to cut or grind down bump stops (depending on height drop)
    - unless you mated the KYBs with the H&Rs... spring compressor

    Next!
    :: HIDCanada.com | Illuminating Your World


  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Eastern Tennessee USi
    Posts
    14,839

    Default

    ball joint removal tool.
    95 E34 530I V2.37
    ===========
    Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.

    John F. Kennedy

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Chicago, Il. U.S.A.
    Posts
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    Default

    Yes, as Qube says PB Blaster is tour friend.
    Remember to let the car down before snugging up the through bolts for the thrust rods. This prevents them from being preloaded all the time and failing prematurely.
    Since you are doing it all at once it goes pretty easy. Grab a six (twelve?) pack and get dirty.
    "The gas pedal wouldn't go to the floor if it weren't meant to be there"

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    Mississauga, Ont.
    Posts
    55

    Default

    I recently did mine (replaced all front arms, struts, hubs with OEM).

    The hardest parts for me:
    - poping the balls joints (broke 2 ball-joint removal tools)
    - removing/tightening the top nut on the strut (i have the EDC III and the nut is recessed).

    ... then of course there was the fact that i put in a washer upside down and had to take the strut out, apart, flip the washer, reinstall - DOH!!!

    http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...32&hg=31&fg=10
    Part 8 is a bevelled washer.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Posts
    5

    Default

    I just finished replacing the front end on my 525 this last weekend. Hardest part was removing the ball joints. I wish I had went to Advance Auto first before trying to remove them by pounding to death with hammer and forks. They had a free rental with about five different types of pullers. I picked one out, tightened it up, struck the part of the tool over the threaded portion of the ball joint twice and it popped right out. Send me a private email with your email address and I'll send you some photos of the tool. I couldn't believe the difference after I was done with instaaling all the new components.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    East Brunswick, New Jersey
    Posts
    879

    Default

    If you haven't got the air compressor and a set of air tools, get them now. You'll say to yourself, "why didn't I get them earlier?"
    '01 540it, 6/01
    '03 325i 5 speed, 9/02
    '10 535ix. 9/09
    '10 mini 6 speed
    '15 mini countryman 6 speed

  8. #8
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Maryland
    Posts
    1,027

    Default

    I have air tools so I'm confident about being able to get everything apart no problem.

    I'll be taking photos of the whole process for the board. Thanks for any/all advice.. it helps a lot.

    Evan
    1994 540ia|Oxford Green Metallic|Lemforder|KYB in H&R|18" OE Staggered M-Parallel with Pirelli P-Zero

  9. #9
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Hampton, Vic
    Posts
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    How much do the bump stops need to be cut down by? Is it just the same amount that the car has been lowered? I recently put eibach springs and koni shocks in the front of my car, but it bottoms out occassionaly, but I didn;t cut the bumpstops, could this be causing it?

    John

    Pics of my E34 M5 -> http://www.jrobbo.com/M5

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Melbourne, Australia
    Posts
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by jrobbo
    How much do the bump stops need to be cut down by? Is it just the same amount that the car has been lowered? I recently put eibach springs and koni shocks in the front of my car, but it bottoms out occassionaly, but I didn;t cut the bumpstops, could this be causing it?

    John
    I'm about to fit Eibach Prokit springs and Koni sports dampeners all round to mine along with new upper & lower arms (Lemfoder), tie rods, centre link, sway bar links, spring pads, bump stops... yada, yada, yada.
    I bought new bump stops which I'll cut down by 1.5" which is the amount of drop the Eibachs give at the front and 1" at the rear.

    Incidently how does your M5 ride with the Eibachs and Konis?
    As mine had factory sports suspension with tired shocks and front end, I'm actually expecting a slight improvement if anything.

    1990 E34 535iA, 215,000kms (130,000 miles).
    Dual Climate, Rear Headrests, Rollerblind, M-Tech Wheel,
    Memory Seats, EAT Chip, T-Stars.

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