[abeardo83]

The shock absorbers and the mounts are the only things now at the front of the car that are in line for replacement, following my swap to m3 arms. The shocks themselves seem ok, so i'm thinking about replacing the top mounts for the time being.

Am looking at the Lemforder ones, as they have the alignment pin built in to them. Do we think that i'll need to get a geo after fitting them, seeing as the shocks themselves will be aligned with the pins?

Thanks
Andy

[Chappers 71]

Yes you will need a geo. I did mine back in July, it made a big difference to how the steering feels, much smoother & lighter & no more creaking noises at low speed manoeuvring.
I bought mine from BMW, but the euro lems are much cheaper

[abeardo83]

Really? Genuinely interested as to why - as the camber pins are the main reference point, camber doesn't change. As camber doesn't change, then technically neither should toe, as the track control arms aren't being adjusted.
Caster on the e92 is fixed too.

On a car that is fully adjustable and has no solid reference points (like the s2000), i get why a geo is needed, on a car that only has one adjustable point, I'm struggling.

[Chappers 71]

After fitting of my top mounts my steering wheel was slightly off centre.
Do the top mounts then see what your cars like.

[Digitalize]

You need to loosen stuff to get the top mounts out, it's entirely possible the tracking will change slightly. Get it checked, a check is free anyway.

[E90-AMD]

Originally Posted by Digitalize

You need to loosen stuff to get the top mounts out, it's entirely possible the tracking will change slightly. Get it checked, a check is free anyway.

Agreed, get them changed and then checked and I do advise that you get them from ECP since BMW uses Lemforder as OE supplier anyways.

Have a look:
https://www.powerflex.co.uk/road-ser...Bush/2167.html

[RajB]

Tracking will have been done on the old worn top mounts and once new ones added they will change the geo a touch. Hence always good to get it checked.

[abeardo83]

So the answer is more around the fact that original tracking will have been done on older, loose mounts - makes sense now.

Ahmad - do ECP do them? If so I'll wait until a get a 30% offer at the weekend.

[abeardo83]

another question... do i need a spring compressor to do this change?

[E90-AMD]

Originally Posted by abeardo83

another question... do i need a spring compressor to do this change?

Yes you will. I've had my driver side changed last week

[abeardo83]

Originally Posted by E90-AMD

Yes you will. I've had my driver side changed last week

Balls. Any recommendations for a home mechanic?

[E90-AMD]

Originally Posted by abeardo83

Balls. Any recommendations for a home mechanic?

Tough really with a mechanic's home equipment. You can just take the strut to the garage, let them do the work and then you just do the rest

[Digitalize]

Buy some? They're super cheap.

[abeardo83]

I am intending to - was looking for recommendations as to which ones.

[KJMotorsport]

You could get away without them, but totally dependent on the downward force your able to apply to the spring so you can slide the new top mount on and get the top mount nut to catch the threads.

But would be so much easier with a compressor.

KJ

[RajB]

Originally Posted by abeardo83

I am intending to - was looking for recommendations as to which ones.

I've got these ones: Clarke @ Machine Mart

[abeardo83]

Mounts and compressor bought. Will wear tin helmet when compressing.
Will let you know how i get on.

[Digitalize]

Do it somewhere outside/away from damageable objects, and always have the bottom of the strut facing you. Try and keep them as evenly spaced as possible and wind them down in stages.

[abeardo83]

Originally Posted by Digitalize

Do it somewhere outside/away from damageable objects, and always have the bottom of the strut facing you. Try and keep them as evenly spaced as possible and wind them down in stages.

Good advice - thanks. I'm hoping i wont have to do much compressing...more like keeping the springs at the tension they currently are, so i can put the top back on.

[Hibbyfor]

A couple of wee tips, depending on the age of your car I'd get a new set of bump stops as they were perished on mine and while you have the struts off you're aswell renewing the droplinks, Mehle HD is a very good quality replacement.

When taking the headlight level sensor off unbolt it from the sensor rather than unclipping from the control arm as it's a PITA trying to clip it back on.

Finally if you, like me, have bought a shiney new battery operated Snapon impact wrench, do not, under any circumstance, use it to buzz the retaining nut on the top of the shock back on as it will snap the top of the shock straight off, bust your knuckles due to the spring recoil and leave a large dent in your garage door, although TBF that was caused by me launching said gun.

[E90-AMD]

Originally Posted by abeardo83

Mounts and compressor bought. Will wear tin helmet when compressing.
Will let you know how i get on.

Andy, are you still alive son?

[abeardo83]

I am mate - not doing it until tomorrow!