[jeep]

Have to replace front lower control arm bushings and differential mount. I don't want any increased noise but I want better control and traction. I will appreciate suggestions. Also appreciate ballpark costs for the work. I am getting quotes for about $1300 including $185 for alignment.

Thanks

[Tom Droze]

Originally Posted by jeep

Have to replace front lower control arm bushings and differential mount. I don't want any increased noise but I want better control and traction. I will appreciate suggestions. Also appreciate ballpark costs for the work. I am getting quotes for about $1300 including $185 for alignment.

Thanks

First off, if you want increased control and traction and are going to replace the differential bushings, there will be a trade off, as any differential bushings you install to increase traction and control will have some level of increase in the NVH. With regard to the differential bushings, in a five month period, I went from OEM to polyurethane, to the MFactory differntial bushings, and I am very pleased with the MFactory differential bushings. There is a slight noise increase but no where near what the polyurethane bushings had. Alternatively, you could install the two M3 front differential bushings, but the M3 rear differential bushing will not fit. Also, if you want to really improve the handling, I would install the M3 front control arms. I just had this done, along with the M3 28 mm FSB and the improvement in the way the car handles is significant.

[feuer]

Originally Posted by jeep

Have to replace front lower control arm bushings and differential mount. I don't want any increased noise but I want better control and traction. I will appreciate suggestions. Also appreciate ballpark costs for the work. I am getting quotes for about $1300 including $185 for alignment.

Thanks

I suggest differential lock down kit. Cheap and to install, as difficult as an oil change. Insignificant increase in NVH but eliminates wheel hope and preserve the drivetrain.

[jeep]

Thanks folks, I am leaning towards the M3 bushings as well. For the front control arms can I just replace the current bushings with M3 or will have to replace the control arms?

Any ballpark estimates for the work?

Thanks

[feuer]

Originally Posted by jeep

Thanks folks, I am leaning towards the M3 bushings as well. For the front control arms can I just replace the current bushings with M3 or will have to replace the control arms?

Any ballpark estimates for the work?

Thanks

the M3 LCA are longer so you want to replace the hole unit so the added camber.
Replacing the bushings will only increase the labor cost.
No offence but I honestly find doing that dumb because the ball joint on the opposite end will remain old.
FCPEurp sells the complete kit for $330/shipped including the leveler rod.
Labor cost: probably around 2h + alignment

[rod.bearings]

Originally Posted by Tom Droze

First off, if you want increased control and traction and are going to replace the differential bushings, there will be a trade off, as any differential bushings you install to increase traction and control will have some level of increase in the NVH. With regard to the differential bushings, in a five month period, I went from OEM to polyurethane, to the MFactory differntial bushings, and I am very pleased with the MFactory differential bushings. There is a slight noise increase but no where near what the polyurethane bushings had. Alternatively, you could install the two M3 front differential bushings, but the M3 rear differential bushing will not fit. Also, if you want to really improve the handling, I would install the M3 front control arms. I just had this done, along with the M3 28 mm FSB and the improvement in the way the car handles is significant.

Whats the process of installing differential bushings? Is it easier than subframe bushings? (Like not having to drop rear subframe and press them in)
Been looking at the mfactory diff, there a great price but not sure if I'll benefit much from them

[Chief Orman]

Originally Posted by Autobahn335i

It's not a vibration, but a kind of humming/light drone sound which is most perceptible around 2500-3500 rpm with a peak at 3k. It's especially noticable when I let off throttle in that range.

I noticed the same thing except it happened after I put in delrin/aluminum rear subframe bushings (not diff bushings)

[Kgolf31]

Originally Posted by krazi3azn

Whats the process of installing differential bushings? Is it easier than subframe bushings? (Like not having to drop rear subframe and press them in)
Been looking at the mfactory diff, there a great price but not sure if I'll benefit much from them

You just need to drop the diff, and depending on the bushing (I have Black Powerflex) you'll have to press out the old ones and the new ones just slide in. It's nice with Powerflex it's a 2 piece

[froop]

Originally Posted by Tom Droze

First off, if you want increased control and traction and are going to replace the differential bushings, there will be a trade off, as any differential bushings you install to increase traction and control will have some level of increase in the NVH. With regard to the differential bushings, in a five month period, I went from OEM to polyurethane, to the MFactory differntial bushings, and I am very pleased with the MFactory differential bushings. There is a slight noise increase but no where near what the polyurethane bushings had. Alternatively, you could install the two M3 front differential bushings, but the M3 rear differential bushing will not fit. Also, if you want to really improve the handling, I would install the M3 front control arms. I just had this done, along with the M3 28 mm FSB and the improvement in the way the car handles is significant.

Can I ask how sure you are that the rear mount isn't interchangeable between a 135i and M3? I have a rear M3 subframe and LSD and I want to get the MFactory solid diff mounts but I'm hearing conflicting opinions.

[Tom Droze]

Originally Posted by froop

Can I ask how sure you are that the rear mount isn't interchangeable between a 135i and M3? I have a rear M3 subframe and LSD and I want to get the MFactory solid diff mounts but I'm hearing conflicting opinions.

Given my experience, I cannot tell you for 100 percent fact certain the M3 RDB will not fit non M3 cars. Three different vendors including MFactory have indicated the M3 RDB will not fit non M3 cars. As to why it won't fit I don't know, but please keep in mind I never had a real reason to chase an answer. You could order an OEM RDB for your car and an OEM M3 RDB and compare the two. It would only cost about $50 to do so and I suppose after the comparison is done you could return them. This might be the best way to get the answer you need.

[Chief Orman]

Originally Posted by Former_Boosted_IS

I have M3 subs and Turner delrin diff bushings in my car. What do you guys want to know specifically? I get deceleration whine at about 3k rpms, but it is only audible with the radio turned off.

I have the exact same experience

[Chief Orman]

Originally Posted by feuer

I suggest differential lock down kit. Cheap and to install, as difficult as an oil change. Insignificant increase in NVH but eliminates wheel hope and preserve the drivetrain.

Just bought one from Boost Addictions for my 335d. Seems like a simple and effective solution. Looking forward to getting it (made them paint it red...don't know why I want red on suspension bits I will never see) installed soon along with Ohlin coilovers.

[Tom Droze]

Originally Posted by Chief Orman

Just bought one from Boost Addictions for my 335d. Seems like a simple and effective solution. Looking forward to getting it (made them paint it red...don't know why I want red on suspension bits I will never see) installed soon along with Ohlin coilovers.

I inquired about this brace in the N/A section and pretty much got roasted for even asking the question, as "people in the know" thought it was a waste of money. It seems like a simple solution that can be easily installed and removed if necessary. After the install, I would be intereted in knowing your thoughts on the brace.

[Chief Orman]

Originally Posted by Tom Droze

I inquired about this brace in the N/A section and pretty much got roasted for even asking the question, as "people in the know" thought it was a waste of money. It seems like a simple solution that can be easily installed and removed if necessary. After the install, I would be intereted in knowing your thoughts on the brace.

hmmmm....that is a bummer to hear....seems like a decent incremental step. That said I would not describe myself as "in the know".

[froop]

Originally Posted by Former_Boosted_IS

I have M3 subs and Turner delrin diff bushings in my car. What do you guys want to know specifically? I get deceleration whine at about 3k rpms, but it is only audible with the radio turned off.

Do you have the turner M3 delrin/aluminium diff mounts installed into a stock 335i pumpkin and rear subframe? Maybe I'm not looking close enough but Turner seem to only sell the M3 version, not non-M3 versions.

[dbworld4k]

I have MFactory differential bushings and there's no increase in NVH whatsoever.

[Ohiodiesel]

Originally Posted by froop

Can I ask how sure you are that the rear mount isn't interchangeable between a 135i and M3? I have a rear M3 subframe and LSD and I want to get the MFactory solid diff mounts but I'm hearing conflicting opinions.

Did you ever try to swap the rear bushing for the M3 solid one?

[Traf]

The two front diff mounts are the same.
The rear is different, it is longer in the M3
I mounted a M3 LSD in my 135i using 135i/335i diff mounts, so far so good.

[BB_cuda]

Originally Posted by dbworld4k

I have MFactory differential bushings and there's no increase in NVH whatsoever.

Can you please elaborate on the type of bushing you used? There is a super fancy lockdown kit that has aluminum bushings that go with it for $700. I'm not going to buy that kit but I may piece together a kit that accomplishes same thing. I have a VWetish lock down kit coming in the mail that puts a 4th bushing into play. I placed a picture of it in my LSD DIY thread. Investigating whether Togo with all 7 in aluminum (4 are subframe and 3 diff ) + the lockdown which also aluminum.

[Go Horns!]

Originally Posted by dbworld4k

I have MFactory differential bushings and there's no increase in NVH whatsoever.

I have the exact opposite results. I have a pronounced differential whine. I have an MFactory LSD and Turner aluminum subframe bushings as well.

[TheeGovernor]

Originally Posted by Go Horns!

I have the exact opposite results. I have a pronounced differential whine. I have an MFactory LSD and Turner aluminum subframe bushings as well.

I have whine as well with aluminum subframe bushings and mfactory bushings. I am going to try a different differential.

[Go Horns!]

I'm going to swap back in the OEM diff bushings and try 75/140 fluid.