Advice - rebuilding front struts

Post Mon Mar 11, 2013 9:08 pm

Planning on rebuilding/refurbing my front struts in the near future (along with rest of the suspension). Going to replace everything listed below - anyone done this before, and anything not listed that you'd recommend I also replace?

- Top mounts
- Bump stop and dust cover
- Springs - not lowering, just regular height: any recommendations for make/supplier?
- Shocks - Bilstein B4's
- Spring pads upper and lower

Cheers!

Post Mon Mar 11, 2013 9:11 pm

Wheel bearing

Post Mon Mar 11, 2013 9:21 pm

- Top mounts - Lemforder ( ECP )
- Bump stop and dust cover ( Bilstein )
- Springs - not lowering, just regular height: any recommendations for make/supplier? ( Eibach Pro Kit )
- Shocks - Bilstein B4's
- Spring pads upper and lower ( Dealer )

Also worth replacing ARB Bushes ( Dealer )
ARB Droplinks ( lemforder ECP )
"lollipop" bushes - M3 Eccentrics - Dealer

Post Mon Mar 11, 2013 9:23 pm

Splash guards where required if you're doing the above ^

Post Mon Mar 11, 2013 9:27 pm

rob, where exactly do you order the bump stops and dust covers from ? and how much ?

and how much are spring pads ?

Post Mon Mar 11, 2013 10:08 pm

polsta wrote:rob, where exactly do you order the bump stops and dust covers from ? and how much ?

and how much are spring pads ?

Dealers. They are not dear.

Post Mon Mar 11, 2013 10:15 pm

capri_rob wrote:- Top mounts - Lemforder ( ECP )
- Bump stop and dust cover ( Bilstein )
- Springs - not lowering, just regular height: any recommendations for make/supplier? ( Eibach Pro Kit )
- Shocks - Bilstein B4's
- Spring pads upper and lower ( Dealer )

Also worth replacing ARB Bushes ( Dealer )
ARB Droplinks ( lemforder ECP )
"lollipop" bushes - M3 Eccentrics - Dealer

Cheers Rob

ARB bushes + droplinks + eccentric lollipops, along with new wishbones (Lemforder - bought already in the ECP sale) all in the list.

Can you recommend a supplier for the standard height Eibach Pro kit? - everything I find online seems to just stock the lowering ones.

Post Tue Mar 12, 2013 6:43 am

Sorry the Eibach pro kit is a 35mm lowering kit - which is ideal for use with B4's or standard shocks and is really the lowest you want to go - the car will look right with this fitted - I have exactly this setup on my Touring as do many other people - its an ideal setup for normal road use and an improvement over the standard setup without being too stiff.

Post Tue Mar 12, 2013 8:19 am

Might be an idea to check your track rods too whilst you're there. Have it all fresh, tight and responsive..

Post Tue Mar 12, 2013 8:58 am

capri_rob wrote: Eibach pro kit is a 35mm lowering kit - which is ideal for use with B4's or standard shocks and is really the lowest you want to go - the car will look right with this fitted - I have exactly this setup on my Touring as do many other people - its an ideal setup for normal road use and an improvement over the standard setup without being too stiff.

+1, very happy with this setup on mine!

Post Tue Mar 12, 2013 9:28 am

capri_rob wrote:Sorry the Eibach pro kit is a 35mm lowering kit - which is ideal for use with B4's or standard shocks and is really the lowest you want to go - the car will look right with this fitted - I have exactly this setup on my Touring as do many other people - its an ideal setup for normal road use and an improvement over the standard setup without being too stiff.

With all these new bits replacing old tired ones, you'll find that the overall drop with the 35mm kit turns out to be quite a bit less than 35mm. Replacing with standard springs will likely raise the car considerably.

Post Tue Mar 12, 2013 9:32 am

G-Bear wrote:Might be an idea to check your track rods too whilst you're there. Have it all fresh, tight and responsive..

Maybe ball joints too, seeing as you'll be splitting them.

You can get Lemforder control arms complete with ball joints from CP4L for £99 a pair using the discount codes, compared to £156 from ECP

Post Tue Mar 12, 2013 12:03 pm

B7 wrote:
polsta wrote:rob, where exactly do you order the bump stops and dust covers from ? and how much ?

and how much are spring pads ?
Dealers. They are not dear.

anyone part numbers please anyone ?

Post Tue Mar 12, 2013 12:13 pm

just look on realoem. it'll take about 5 minutes

Post Tue Mar 12, 2013 9:45 pm

Brianmoooore wrote:
capri_rob wrote:Sorry the Eibach pro kit is a 35mm lowering kit - which is ideal for use with B4's or standard shocks and is really the lowest you want to go - the car will look right with this fitted - I have exactly this setup on my Touring as do many other people - its an ideal setup for normal road use and an improvement over the standard setup without being too stiff.
With all these new bits replacing old tired ones, you'll find that the overall drop with the 35mm kit turns out to be quite a bit less than 35mm. Replacing with standard springs will likely raise the car considerably.

Wasn't planning on lowering the car but that's three (including Meatballs82) strong endorsements for the -35mm Eibach setup. Got me thinking...

Rob - you say the car will 'look' right. Gotta be honest I've always be against lowering the car as I wanted to avoid that 'chopped/boy racer' look. Have you got any links to photos of your touring?

Brain - will the old springs and parts really be making that kind of difference to the height of the car? I guess I could always use the thicker spring pads (9mm) if I wanted to counter the lowering effect of the springs?

Chris_B86 wrote:
G-Bear wrote:Might be an idea to check your track rods too whilst you're there. Have it all fresh, tight and responsive..
Maybe ball joints too, seeing as you'll be splitting them.

You can get Lemforder control arms complete with ball joints from CP4L for £99 a pair using the discount codes, compared to £156 from ECP

Track rods (Lemforder) on the list.

Control arms (same) already bought”¦

Cheers for all the replies and advice!

Post Tue Mar 12, 2013 10:01 pm

Touring with Eibach Pro Kit & B4's

325i with Eibach pro kit & standard ( knackered ) dampers

Thicker spring pads at the back will help if it looks a little too low.

Post Tue Mar 12, 2013 10:10 pm

Cheers Rob. Looks good.

is there a marked diference in handling with the lowered setup?

Post Wed Mar 13, 2013 6:52 am

Nightshift wrote:Cheers Rob. Looks good.

is there a marked diference in handling with the lowered setup?

Yes. Feels much more planted on the road.

When I fitted the Eibachs on the bronze car that was all I did and athough they made an improvement it was nothing like the effect that a full refresh of all the components had on the touring

Post Wed Mar 13, 2013 1:28 pm

Cheers. Definitely tempted.