Tension strut bushings: M sport vs. Polyurethane

gvisockas · 08-12-2023, 04:08 AM

Hello,

M-bits in the front end are among the top advised mods. I had my doubts about the tension strut bushing being solid and went with Meyle HD tension struts. They, however, deflect a bit too much for my liking, so I am thinking of replacing the bushings either to polyurethane (80ShA) or m-style.

Has anyone tried both? Please share your experience.

Similar questions have surely been discussed, albeit usually between standard and harder m3 or polyurethane ones.

FYI, polyurethane bushings that I am debating are made by Strongflex. AFAIK they have redesigned them to be two-piece with metal sleeves:

335i54n · 08-12-2023, 10:43 AM

I would just get monoballs and imo poly are only for stationary mounts like subframe/diff. tried them all on diff cars and just go straight for front monoballs now with solid rear mount as 1st mods

Peter Morrin · 08-12-2023, 11:14 AM

I used Powerflex purple bushings in my front tension struts. Monoball are likely the optimum solution for steering feel and performance, but at a higher price and possibly wear concerns if they salt your roads in the winter. The Powerflex has an inner aluminum bushing with an offset hole allowing for some additional caster. I installed them for maximum caster. While I do not notice a dramatic change there is no squeeking and no increase in NVH in the 10,000 km since I installed them.

gvisockas · 08-12-2023, 04:29 PM

Glad to know that! Sadly, the roads are far from perfect where I live, lots of salt also.

Polyurethane seems to be a cheaper and (possibly) a longer lasting option than m3 tension struts. The fact that the spindle is not bonded to the bushing, however, raises a question due to possible deflection and wear.

The Nightman · 08-13-2023, 06:21 PM

I ran monoball tension struts briefly. Incredible precision, feel and steering response unfortunately ruined by any slight imperfection in the road. The increase in harshness was unbearable for a daily driver. Ended up going back to M3 tension struts which are a happy medium.

What is wrong with the solid rubber bushing on the M3 tension strut that polyurethane addresses? The angle of the mounting location makes me wary of polyurethane

Mrmigs2011 · 08-14-2023, 01:20 PM

https://psbushings.co.uk/?gclid=Cj0K...8aAm15EALw_wcB

Unbelievable improvement running these in the tension strut.

Absolutely stopped the front end skipping. Can't reccomend PSB enough!

powerbait · 08-15-2023, 03:15 PM

TRW M3 tension arms from RockAuto were a phenomenal upgrade to my 1 series.
I have Dinan mono balls in my M3 which are awesome as well, I get zero additional NVH with them and can never understand the complaints from the non-M cars... same with solid subframe bushings. Can't go wrong with either.

gvisockas · 08-29-2023, 04:20 AM

So I opted for M3 bushings fearing that polyurethane, albeit responsive, will not be comfortable in the long run.

I started feeling the frot shudder when going over bigger bumps. I am sure I torqued both ends of the tension strut to spec with preloaded suspension. At the moment I can't lift the vehicle to inspect the suspension, but everything before that was in order.

It's a bit naive to expect a diagnosis from such a short video, but any suggestions are welcome.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/gJYsnTrbeWA

08-12-2023, 04:08 AM	#1
gvisockas New Member 0 Rep 24 Posts Drives: e90 Join Date: Feb 2023 Location: Lithuania iTrader: (0)	Tension strut bushings: M sport vs. Polyurethane Hello, M-bits in the front end are among the top advised mods. I had my doubts about the tension strut bushing being solid and went with Meyle HD tension struts. They, however, deflect a bit too much for my liking, so I am thinking of replacing the bushings either to polyurethane (80ShA) or m-style. Has anyone tried both? Please share your experience. Similar questions have surely been discussed, albeit usually between standard and harder m3 or polyurethane ones. FYI, polyurethane bushings that I am debating are made by Strongflex. AFAIK they have redesigned them to be two-piece with metal sleeves:
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08-12-2023, 10:43 AM	#2
335i54n Lieutenant 295 Rep 525 Posts Drives: e90 335i, e39 m5 Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: socal iTrader: (0)	I would just get monoballs and imo poly are only for stationary mounts like subframe/diff. tried them all on diff cars and just go straight for front monoballs now with solid rear mount as 1st mods
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08-12-2023, 11:14 AM	#3
Peter Morrin Private First Class 47 Rep 154 Posts Drives: 2007 E90(sedan) 328xi Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: Kingston, Ontario, Canada iTrader: (0)	I used Powerflex purple bushings in my front tension struts. Monoball are likely the optimum solution for steering feel and performance, but at a higher price and possibly wear concerns if they salt your roads in the winter. The Powerflex has an inner aluminum bushing with an offset hole allowing for some additional caster. I installed them for maximum caster. While I do not notice a dramatic change there is no squeeking and no increase in NVH in the 10,000 km since I installed them.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-12-2023, 04:29 PM	#4
gvisockas New Member 0 Rep 24 Posts Drives: e90 Join Date: Feb 2023 Location: Lithuania iTrader: (0)	Glad to know that! Sadly, the roads are far from perfect where I live, lots of salt also. Polyurethane seems to be a cheaper and (possibly) a longer lasting option than m3 tension struts. The fact that the spindle is not bonded to the bushing, however, raises a question due to possible deflection and wear.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-13-2023, 06:21 PM	#5
The Nightman Cometh 1090 Rep 1,305 Posts Drives: Boy's Soul Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Boy's Hole iTrader: (4) Garage List E90 LCI "330i& ... [10.00]	I ran monoball tension struts briefly. Incredible precision, feel and steering response unfortunately ruined by any slight imperfection in the road. The increase in harshness was unbearable for a daily driver. Ended up going back to M3 tension struts which are a happy medium. What is wrong with the solid rubber bushing on the M3 tension strut that polyurethane addresses? The angle of the mounting location makes me wary of polyurethane
	Appreciate 1 whyzee1251678.50 Quote

08-14-2023, 01:20 PM	#6
Mrmigs2011 Private 26 Rep 66 Posts Drives: 2006 E92 335i Join Date: Aug 2023 Location: Barton Upon Humber iTrader: (0)	https://psbushings.co.uk/?gclid=Cj0K...8aAm15EALw_wcB Unbelievable improvement running these in the tension strut. Absolutely stopped the front end skipping. Can't reccomend PSB enough!
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08-15-2023, 03:15 PM	#7
powerbait postimus minimus 31 Rep 94 Posts Drives: M3 addiction Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: FL iTrader: (8) Garage List 2018 BMW M3 [10.00] 1998 BMW M3 [8.75] 2010 BMW M3 [9.37] 2006 BMW M3 [10.00]	TRW M3 tension arms from RockAuto were a phenomenal upgrade to my 1 series. I have Dinan mono balls in my M3 which are awesome as well, I get zero additional NVH with them and can never understand the complaints from the non-M cars... same with solid subframe bushings. Can't go wrong with either.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-29-2023, 04:20 AM	#8
gvisockas New Member 0 Rep 24 Posts Drives: e90 Join Date: Feb 2023 Location: Lithuania iTrader: (0)	So I opted for M3 bushings fearing that polyurethane, albeit responsive, will not be comfortable in the long run. I started feeling the frot shudder when going over bigger bumps. I am sure I torqued both ends of the tension strut to spec with preloaded suspension. At the moment I can't lift the vehicle to inspect the suspension, but everything before that was in order. It's a bit naive to expect a diagnosis from such a short video, but any suggestions are welcome. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/gJYsnTrbeWA
	Appreciate 0 Quote