E34 Camber Plates

[Aaron Bakos]

( 95' 525i 5spd...109k)

Need to find out who makes a decent Camber Plate for the E34. I looked at Turner, but wasn't impressed by what I saw. Dinan shows some in their suspension packages, but I don't know anything about them. Ground Control...?? and TC Kline doesn't list any specific E34 applications.

I don't know. If anyone can help me out I'd appreciate it. Have to get this figured out before summer tires go on!

If you want to know more about why I need them, read on
----------

Went to see Brett at KMS yesterday (www.koalamotorsport.com), checked over my suspension and made some observations. The reason I went to visit him was because my alignment is goofy and I wanted to make sure there wasn't a worn component I couldn't find. Also, the back end feels squirrely at times, so I wanted to look that over with him.

The back end may be best explained by the worn snow tires that are on there now. The dogbones seem to be in good shape, as do the TAB's.

In the front I have a slight positive camber situation going on with driver's side. No evidence of a broken/bent component. With the exception of the thrust arm/bushing, everything is stock up there.

Near as we can figure, the last owner might have bounced it off a curb or something and tweaked the shock. Solution- Replace front shocks and get camber plates at the same time. This way if it's not the shock, I can compensate with the plate. Simple enough.

The car has Bilstein HD in the back, and I'd like to make the front match. I'm still not sure if I'll just put more HD's up front, or do Koni all around. I'd like the Koni's, but I'd need springs too and it'd wind up being a good chunk more $$$ than just another pair of shocks.

This pretty much leaves me in the decision-making stage. I'm in the middle of relocating to a new area and starting a new job, so this isn't going to get done next week.

Tired of typing for now...let me know what you think!

[Martin in Bellevue]

https://secure9.nexternal.com/shared...unt2=265372872

There are adjustable plates available for $150. The fixed plates are $110.

[Scott H]

Ireland Engineering will have them fixed or adjustable. www.bmw2002.com

KMACs might be your most comprehensive choice to adjust for Camber and Caster.......

[Patrick]

camber kit that also replaces the front strut bearings. I have this setup and it seems to be pretty responsive and solid. I bought mine from Ireland Engineering but they are available from Bavarian Autosport and BMP as well.
The cost (about $270) was similar to buying camber plates and new bearings so I figured wth.
Patrick

[bfd]

( 95' 525i 5spd...109k)

Need to find out who makes a decent Camber Plate for the E34. I looked at Turner, but wasn't impressed by what I saw. Dinan shows some in their suspension packages, but I don't know anything about them. Ground Control...?? and TC Kline doesn't list any specific E34 applications.

I don't know. If anyone can help me out I'd appreciate it. Have to get this figured out before summer tires go on!

If you want to know more about why I need them, read on
----------

Went to see Brett at KMS yesterday (www.koalamotorsport.com), checked over my suspension and made some observations. The reason I went to visit him was because my alignment is goofy and I wanted to make sure there wasn't a worn component I couldn't find. Also, the back end feels squirrely at times, so I wanted to look that over with him.

The back end may be best explained by the worn snow tires that are on there now. The dogbones seem to be in good shape, as do the TAB's.

In the front I have a slight positive camber situation going on with driver's side. No evidence of a broken/bent component. With the exception of the thrust arm/bushing, everything is stock up there.

Near as we can figure, the last owner might have bounced it off a curb or something and tweaked the shock. Solution- Replace front shocks and get camber plates at the same time. This way if it's not the shock, I can compensate with the plate. Simple enough.

The car has Bilstein HD in the back, and I'd like to make the front match. I'm still not sure if I'll just put more HD's up front, or do Koni all around. I'd like the Koni's, but I'd need springs too and it'd wind up being a good chunk more $$$ than just another pair of shocks.

This pretty much leaves me in the decision-making stage. I'm in the middle of relocating to a new area and starting a new job, so this isn't going to get done next week.

Tired of typing for now...let me know what you think!

Sounds like your car is in pretty good shape. With regard to Dinan suspension products, he makes good stuff. If you wanted a complete *system* for the street, e.g., one that's comfortable, Dinan would be a good choice.

The major complaint about Dinan is he's expensive. My local auto part store gives me 20-25% off Dinan stuff, but he still pricier tham most. For example, his camber plates are somewhere between $225-250. As others have stated, KMC and Ireland have similar plates for what $110-150 or so. Since you have access to Brett Anderson, I would work with him....

[mholbrook]

Put the Koni adjustables in the front. I had Koni's in front and Bilstein Sports in rear on my 530 and no problem. The Koni's are only adjustable on the back at install so I guess it is a pain to change the adjustment.

We should start a poll on the number of people with short springs and 'thumping' Bilstien Sports. Probably all of them. Koni's are great but a little pricy. Plus, you get that great adjustability.

Mike Holbrook

[Aaron Bakos]

Sounds like your car is in pretty good shape. With regard to Dinan suspension products, he makes good stuff. If you wanted a complete *system* for the street, e.g., one that's comfortable, Dinan would be a good choice.

The major complaint about Dinan is he's expensive. My local auto part store gives me 20-25% off Dinan stuff, but he still pricier tham most. For example, his camber plates are somewhere between $225-250. As others have stated, KMC and Ireland have similar plates for what $110-150 or so. Since you have access to Brett Anderson, I would work with him....

My access to Brett is about to come to an unfortunate end...I'll be moving to Knoxville, TN, and I don't know how often I'll drive the 500 miles to see him

My biggest worries with Camber Plates is how easy they are to adjust, and how sturdy they are over time. I punish my suspension, and I don't want components that will need replacing anytime soon.

Thanks for the help guys, I'll read up on Ireland Engineering and KMAC.

[Aaron Bakos]

Put the Koni adjustables in the front. I had Koni's in front and Bilstein Sports in rear on my 530 and no problem. The Koni's are only adjustable on the back at install so I guess it is a pain to change the adjustment.

We should start a poll on the number of people with short springs and 'thumping' Bilstien Sports. Probably all of them. Koni's are great but a little pricy. Plus, you get that great adjustability.

Mike Holbrook

The adjustability is what has me interested...the wife doesn't like a kidney-kicker type setup around town

Do they make Koni's for a stock ride height?

[Cacatfish]

Ireland plates stack on top of your stock strut bearin and so add an additional 1/4 to 1/2 in. and make te front end a little tall. If it werent for tjis issue I would ave cjosen Ireland because I really like tje people tjat work tjere and tjey are really responsive. I went witj Kmacs from BMP because tjey replace tje strut bearin instead. Kmacs are known to be more prone to quality control issues, owever (no problem witj mine).

As far as te struts, I just put Konis on front and still ave Billie sports on rear. I tjink te valvin is similar enouj to not cause issues.

For anyone interested, my keyboard is malfunctionin, ence tje stranje spelllin.

[Jason]

I was looking into the Ireland ones for the spring and was originally going to go with the fixed ones but i saw that the adjustables weren't that much more. whats your take?