tim s
12-04-2004, 11:50 PM
i had replaced my leaking oil pan gasket last year before i knew about the loose oil pump bolt issue. so i decided that i would check the bolts when i install my new thrust arm bushings & center link. i dropped the pan today & found one of the long bolts for the oil pump rolling around. we re-adjusted the pumps chain tension & tightened all bolt to spec. i plan on checking this every 18-24 months now.
as for the new center link, i bought a "trw" last year from FCP Groton along with tie-rods & thrust arms. we replaced the center link after we found a worn joint that was loose. this time i purchased a center link from the bmw dealer. it came with a bmw sticker & trw molded into the casting on boths ends & the caps on the joints. the "trw" i purchased from FCP Groton did not have any trw markings at all.
i will not buy from FCP Groton again.
i did decide to use these heavy duty bushings from lemforder.
http://www.tntcomp.com/hd_bushing.jpg
i already put 50 highway miles on them. so far they are noticably stiffer, but not to harsh. and this time i did torque them under load.
thanks
tim s.
as for the new center link, i bought a "trw" last year from FCP Groton along with tie-rods & thrust arms. we replaced the center link after we found a worn joint that was loose. this time i purchased a center link from the bmw dealer. it came with a bmw sticker & trw molded into the casting on boths ends & the caps on the joints. the "trw" i purchased from FCP Groton did not have any trw markings at all.
i will not buy from FCP Groton again.
i did decide to use these heavy duty bushings from lemforder.
http://www.tntcomp.com/hd_bushing.jpg
i already put 50 highway miles on them. so far they are noticably stiffer, but not to harsh. and this time i did torque them under load.
thanks
tim s.