The dreaded shakes

[Mobius]

I just talked to someone at tirerack about the rings, they said what wheels are they for? I said stock wheels, he said they are not for the stock wheels only aftermarket.

Where else can I get the rings?

The rings are ONLY if you have wheels intended for mounting on a newer-than-E34 5-series. The E34 wheel hub is about 1cm smaller than the E39 wheel hub, so a ring is needed to close this gap. If you have stock wheels - this does not apply to you.

Most aftermarket wheels are made with an E39 hub size because it's simple to use a ring and it makes the wheels usable to a much larger market.

But, with the age of your arms - I'd say it's thrust arm time. DO get a good wheel balance done FIRST just to rule out the simple and cheap option.

[632 Regal]

dont need a compressor for this job, need a picklefork and a big hammer or one of them newfangled balljoint pullers. If you can rip it apart you will have no problem getting it back together. we're here.

Good enough for me! I got the arms. Say, winfred, Jeff, do you guys think I should take these to my indy to put on? As you know, I don't have a garage, and my tool set is good, but doesn't include a compressor or torch. I'm worried about ripping apart the suspension if I'm not sure I can complete the job.[/QUOTE]

[winfred]

if you get the arms with the bushings allready pressed in the job can be done in a driveway, a hydrallic press is about the only way to press them in to the arms. a big fuggin hammer can usually get everything apart, sometimes a pickle fork is needed. yes the stock blue bushings suck, the green 750s are ok but i prefer the m5 thrust arm bushings but i don't know if anybody sells them allready installed in arms. a torch is not needed, air tools are not nessary

Yeah, I had ordered Meyle 540 arms from BMA. When I talked to Yves on the phone, he said, expect the shitty bushings to last for all of a year or two. If you want a semi-permanent solution, go for the Lemforders with 750 bushings.

Good enough for me! I got the arms. Say, winfred, Jeff, do you guys think I should take these to my indy to put on? As you know, I don't have a garage, and my tool set is good, but doesn't include a compressor or torch. I'm worried about ripping apart the suspension if I'm not sure I can complete the job.

[andyman32]

Excellent, thanks guys. I did get the fork, and I do indeed have a Big Hammer.

Another ? about the thrust arms: do you really have to raise the car and take off the wheels to do it? I know it'll make access to the steering knucle a bit more open, but I can get at both bolts right now with the car just up on ramps. If I jack it and remove the wheels, will there be any problem fitting the new one in with the springs all the way unloaded?

[silverz06vette]

Took her in for a balance and it did not help.

I just got my upper arms out to replace the thrust arm bushings. I have done them about 55k ago with the cheap arms. One hit and the right side comes right out. About 30 hits with a 3lb hammer and the left side was still holding strong. The nut is looking bad now.

I get a propane torch at HD for $20. I put some heat to the part that is holding the ball joint. I make sure to not melt any rubber boots in the area. All of a sudden the ball joint just pops out on its own. Sweet!!!!

I call Partrick at BMA and he has me two 750 bushings coming by tuesday. Great service from Patrick as usual. They are like $18.50 each.

At work I tried to use an arbor press to get the thrust bushings out, no luck its going to take a hydraulic press to get them out.

I'll be doing our 99 740il in less then a month. Think I'll get that lucky again? I hope so cause the Lemford arms are $130 each for that one.

[winfred]

you will enjoy the rear suspension lower ball joints on that e38/39, who ever designed that cluster **** needs to be in pain, it's like something from a mercedes on how it wears out so fast and is such a bitch to replace

I'll be doing our 99 740il in less then a month. Think I'll get that lucky again? I hope so cause the Lemford arms are $130 each for that one.

[The Melmaan]

Well, I was able to get the rims and unfortunately the offset is 36mm so I have to buy a set of hubcentric wheel adapters from Ebay. Installed the damn thing and I ended up with the shakes. I took the tires to the shop to be balanced and it took the tech a while before he was able to get it right. Now the other problem is I think the tires that come with the rims are not good. The front tires are OK but the rear seems to have some uneven shave that make the car shake at >60. I will have to take it back to the shop this Weekend.

[The Melmaan]

The car still has the dreaded shakes between 45 to 60. I found another set of rims that I will be able to pay the dealer about Feb. of next year. The new wheels has the correct 20mm. I hope that this will fix my dilema.

[BHBMW]

Ok,
Hubcentric rings (when needed) can make a big difference ... especially when you're missing one, that would almost definately cause the shakes. Short of that if nothing is wrong with your front end then i'd say that you're tires still aren't balanced properly or could have a broken belt. That's what happened with my 525i. Tried having it balanced 3 different places and never gone but when I put new tires on all was well again.

Good luck,
BH

[riot]

Actually with the hubcentric rings dont you have to have longer bolts too ? Thats what I thought. I could be wrong. If they are too long though You could bind up the whole hub. Thats expensive to fix, kinda. I dont know the size they need to be. I would like to know. I just placed wheels on my car that are for e34 so I didnt use the rings. But thats not to say in the future I wont want different wheels. I have yet to see the newer m3 wheels on and e34. I think it'd look nice.