[Hotcoupe]

I've had an annoying noise develop on the front offside wheel area over the last few weeks. The noise is only noticeable at very low speed but had become quite worrying.
The guys who did my coilovers,M3 wishbones and tension struts have had the car up on a lift and given the front a thorough check over, and it appears that there has been a lot of movement within the left hand bush.

It's been recommended that the bushes are changed, so as it's all coming out I was looking for some advice from the knowledgeable as to which is the best arb, I might as well change the arb as most of the front is either Bilstein or M3 parts.

Ta muchly

[Yahoo]

M3 - but won't you need a matching rear ARB also?

[doughboy]

Yup, most important on a e9x is putting a thicker REAR bar to reduce the inherent understeer designed in.

Most combos give a slightly thicker front bar with a MUCH thicker rear bar to shift the bias rear.

If you just upgrade the front you will make it more numb and understeery.

I had the Hartge bars, which were +1mm front and +8mm rear, note the rear almost doubled in size from 13 to 21 mm.

[Hotcoupe]

Originally Posted by Yahoo

M3 - but won't you need a matching rear ARB also?

Cheers, and yes the rear will follow, but to make it worthwhile I'd have all the other necessary stuff done at the same time.

[doughboy]

Looks like you knew that HC!


Hartge bars are more rear biased than eibach - i had mine as advised by Tony. Nearly span the car at the first roundabout!!

Eibach seem well liked and cheaper.

[Hotcoupe]

Yeah I did Mike, sort of

It's a bit of a quandary if I'm honest.

The car has only done 16k and I'm surprised at the diagnosis of the bushes, however in saying that I was under the car at the same time as the other Guys.
They took the undertray off and thoroughly checked everything, and the arb clearly showed markings from the bush that there had been movement.
I'm tempted to take it to the dealers, but I think they'd take one look, look aghast,charge me an arm and a leg for the privilege and promptly say sorry Sir, go forth and multiply, and mutter things about warranty.

The bar and bushes are the best part of £200, so add an hour of my Indy's labour and it's job done for less than £300.

Any other thought Guys?

[acerboo]

ive still got eibach front arb including the uprated bushes £100

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by Hotcoupe

Yeah I did Mike, sort of

It's a bit of a quandary if I'm honest.

The car has only done 16k and I'm surprised at the diagnosis of the bushes, however in saying that I was under the car at the same time as the other Guys.

Which bushes do you mean? Can you elaborate?

See the Tony's review here http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=101524

[Hotcoupe]

There shown here Mike:


http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...04&hg=31&fg=10

[creepy coupe]

Expect more vibration and the need to have the front wheels super accurately balanced, if you do fit them Ian.

[doughboy]

The hartge bars I had fitted still use the OE bushes (the rear came with new bushes, but they were still soft rubber), if you fit hard poly type bushes, then yes, you'll have a lot more road noise / vibrations in the cabin.

I never suffered any noise or vibration with the Hartge bars on OE bushes, and the Hartge bars are stiffer than any other brand.

[Alpina_B3_Lux]

Originally Posted by doughboy

Hartge bars are more rear biased than eibach - i had mine as advised by Tony. Nearly span the car at the first roundabout!!

Eibach seem well liked and cheaper.

The M3 ARB are also more neutral than the Hartge ones and also a lot cheaper. Which is why chose these - and am quite happy with them.

Alpina_B3_Lux

[Hotcoupe]

Originally Posted by Hotcoupe

I've had an annoying noise develop on the front offside wheel area over the last few weeks. The noise is only noticeable at very low speed but had become quite worrying.
The guys who did my coilovers,M3 wishbones and tension struts have had the car up on a lift and given the front a thorough check over, and it appears that there has been a lot of movement within the left hand bush.

Well it wasn't the bushes on the ARB making the noise it was the front nearside Bilstein shock that's causing the problem.
Annoyingly it also cost me £66.00 to have it confirmed

I'm a tad disappointed with Bilstein, the cars only done approx 5-6k since having the kit fitted last Feb, and it looks like a shock absorber is already fubared!

Lets see how their lifetime warranty stacks up?

[MERLIN335i]

Ian,

Sorry about your probs, been trying to get hold of you on your mobile for two days, can you give me a call when you have a moment please.

Michael.

[m1bjr]

Originally Posted by Hotcoupe

Well it wasn't the bushes on the ARB making the noise it was the front nearside Bilstein shock that's causing the problem.
Annoyingly it also cost me £66.00 to have it confirmed

I'm a tad disappointed with Bilstein, the cars only done approx 5-6k since having the kit fitted last Feb, and it looks like a shock absorber is already fubared!

Lets see how their lifetime warranty stacks up?

Whats the noise you are hearing?

Is it a heavy rattle that you can detect through the chassis?
Can you not hear it outside?
Only at low speed and not particularly regular?

If so I'll bet it is the strut top bearing and not the damper itself.

Open bonnet with car sat normally, put a finger down into the strut top and get another to lift up/push down on the inner arch - trying to lift the car.
If you detect ANY movement or feel the little clunk, its probably the top bearing.

I'll be amazed if the damper is making such noises.
In reality there isnt much inside that could do so.

Steve

[Hotcoupe]

Originally Posted by m1bjr

Whats the noise you are hearing?

Is it a heavy rattle that you can detect through the chassis?
Can you not hear it outside?
Only at low speed and not particularly regular?

If so I'll bet it is the strut top bearing and not the damper itself.

Open bonnet with car sat normally, put a finger down into the strut top and get another to lift up/push down on the inner arch - trying to lift the car.
If you detect ANY movement or feel the little clunk, its probably the top bearing.

I'll be amazed if the damper is making such noises.
In reality there isnt much inside that could do so.

Steve

Thanks for that Steve, and you've described it exactly how it is

I took the Tec out this morning to demonstrate the noise and within 250 yds he heard it and felt it through the floorpan

He then stuck the car up on the ramp and made the following observation, which was very apparent as he did show me:

'The n/s/f wheel (where the noise emanates from) does not hang as low as the offside.

Any comment on the above?