The great fcab debate

[ryankokesh]

Polyurethane or Meyle HD?

I'm leaning towards urethane. I know I need new bushings, but I haven't checked out the rest of the CA in a few months, so I'm not sure if ball joints are shot or not. (Haven't had a chance...I'll check out the situation tomorrow or Wednesday.) So hypothetically, if just the bushings are bad, it'd be great to be able to reuse them if (when) the ca's need to be replaced. The problem is that according to my research, exactly 50% of people love the urethane bushings, and 50% hate them. I've never experienced them myself, so I have no idea.

How do I decide? I'd like to have the comfort of the hd's, but I'd also like the reusability and better feel of the urethane. I know Dane's an HD fan, but Trevor and Eli run the poly. I'm so confused. Someone tell me what to do :)




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[UdubBadger]

Meyle fronts, poly RTABs is what I am hearing is the best balance between comfort and performance.

[BCS_ZHP]

I've heard the urethane in the front can sometimes squeak when going slow over small bumps, like pulling into a parking garage or one of our younger members pulling in to pick up his GF.

[Avetiso]

#fcabdeletecandidate

[BCS_ZHP]

#fcabdeletecandidate

How?

[Avetiso]

I recall seeing someone with a solid bushing made from aluminum. I don't recall specifics, though. :( I'll try to find it again.

[BCS_ZHP]

The FCAB allows our cars to alter the front geometry during normal driving, I can't picture how a solid bushing would permit that. Maybe if it were a track only car but I would think on the street a solid bushing would handle terribly.

[ryankokesh]

Yeah, track only. Think it's Treehouse or something?


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[ryankokesh]

Here she is:

http://i.imgur.com/9oAwWjP.png

Like a rock.


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[Avetiso]

Bingo. I have no idea how they handle, but damn, I'd love to try.

[Hornung418]

Meyle products are crap. Stay very far away.

Either OEM or AKG those would be the only options I suggest.

[kayger12]

^ What he said. Lots of reports of premature Meyle failures. They are apparently making crap now.

My plan is to go oem when mine are shot again.

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[danewilson77]

Not Meyle. I went with Lemforder this time around. Seems like a solid choice.

HTC DNA ON TT4 BETA, WILLIAMSBURG, VA

[UdubBadger]

Doh, so should I return my Meyle RTABs?


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[danewilson77]

Yep.

HTC DNA ON TT4 BETA, WILLIAMSBURG, VA

[UdubBadger]

k, they weren't going in till next week anyway.

[UdubBadger]

AKG or Rogue?

[danewilson77]

Justin swears by AKG I think.

HTC DNA ON TT4 BETA, WILLIAMSBURG, VA

[UdubBadger]

They're local, might as well give my state the much needed sales tax I suppose.

[ryankokesh]

Sounds like it's akg for me...


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[Vas]

I am running uuc bushings on the front. No noise complaints from me.

[ryankokesh]

Went with the AKG's... ordered them pre-pressed a few mins ago! Hopefully they'll come quickly, considering I can drive to their place in ~40 min!

[ELCID86]

Let us know what you think. I don't recommend the Meyle based on one I had on a previous car that seemed to be falling apart shortly after install.

[UdubBadger]

Went with the AKG's... ordered them pre-pressed a few mins ago! Hopefully they'll come quickly, considering I can drive to their place in ~40 min!

They sell pre pressed?


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[ryankokesh]

Yeah, they add $70 for the core charge, then you do the whole send it back to them for a refund dance.

Got my UPS email though - should be at my house tomorrow!

[Hornung418]

Yeah you don't even have to press the bushings out of the old ones. Just box em up and return.

From a GS3, this was sent.

[UdubBadger]

Ry you shoulda waited, I got 15% off and free local pick up. :)

[ryankokesh]

You know where Zion is, right? Almost Wisconsin!


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[UdubBadger]

You know I live 5 min away from 94 right? 30 min drive plus my buddy's restaurant is on way home ;)


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[ryankokesh]

Wait, I could've gotten food out of this situation?

[Hermes]

I installed OE Z4M offset

[UdubBadger]

Wait, I could've gotten food out of this situation?

again, you shoulda told me. :caseyshrug

[LivesNearCostco]

I have AKG but the softer ones, not the harder ones. I like them but honestly they don't feel that different to me than the OEM ones. Of course I had a worn tie rod when I replaced the FCABs, so maybe that prevented me from noticing improved feel.

[UdubBadger]

I have AKG but the softer ones, not the harder ones. I like them but honestly they don't feel that different to me than the OEM ones. Of course I had a worn tie rod when I replaced the FCABs, so maybe that prevented me from noticing improved feel.

They're not supposed to be much firmer than stock but they last a lot longer.


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[ryankokesh]

And you can reuse them


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[ryankokesh]

New AKG fcab's are in - they feel great! Definitely not too hard. I would say they're very close to stock feel. All in all I think it was a great choice. Customer service was stellar as well!


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[brettbimmer]

Hey Gents, headed down the FCAB bushing replacement route soon myself on the ZHP. Anyone want to weigh in on their experience with them after using them for a few months? I don't want anything squeaky, so the offset Z4M bushings look appealing, if they offer any improvement over stock. Thoughts?

[UdubBadger]

Hey Gents, headed down the FCAB bushing replacement route soon myself on the ZHP. Anyone want to weigh in on their experience with them after using them for a few months? I don't want anything squeaky, so the offset Z4M bushings look appealing, if they offer any improvement over stock. Thoughts?

See the post above you, only bushings I will ever trust again. AKG or bust.


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[Rovert]

I've used powerflex polyurethane bushings. I was tired of most bushings being torqued and torn off the control arm in such short times. So far so good and no noise from mine!!

[echo46]

I too am a AKG convert. Just make sure you get the ones that are on the softer side.

[Avetiso]

#fcabdelete

[Lanister]

What do you guys reckon is an average age (in miles) for a set of OEM FCABs? I know that a lot depends roads and driving style so perhaps a range would be more appropriate?

[Avetiso]

What do you guys reckon is an average age (in miles) for a set of OEM FCABs? I know that a lot depends roads and driving style so perhaps a range would be more appropriate?

Texas: 40-50 thousand. California: 25-30 thousand.

Stupid California roads.

[Lanister]

Compared to Ukraine, roads here in California are butter smooth ;)

[94jedi]

I'm also doing my FCABs (and RTABs) shortly. I'm looking for a bit of a bit of a performance minded upgrade so I had thought about going the Powerflex route but you guys seem to like AKG.

I'm hesitant to get the OEM Z4 Offset because around my area, the only shop that can do my alignment is the MB dealer and they're not even sure what the stock specs are for the ZHP (I know it's just sport package specs).

[UdubBadger]

AKG 90A is the best hybrid of comfort, longevity and performance I've come across.


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[prowlerflyer]

Where are you sourcing your AKG?


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[Lanister]

http://www.akgmotorsport.com/

[94jedi]

So, In The context of performance, would the power flex bushings be "better" than the akg's?

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[UdubBadger]

Not necessarily. I believe with more performance comes harsher riding which is why most companies like akg do a street or race version.

Race is so hard your butt might go numb from the ride quality. Street is far superior than oem quality performance wise, it's just made to be more tolerable for day to day use.


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[LivesNearCostco]

I've been happy with my AKG FCABs but note I did need to regrease them after 12 months, and based on the condition of the grease, I probably should have regreased them after 9 months. I packed a bunch of marine grease in there, so hopefully it will last more than a year this time.

[94jedi]

Gotcha, akg's for me!

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[Smolck]

I've been happy with my AKG FCABs but note I did need to regrease them after 12 months, and based on the condition of the grease, I probably should have regreased them after 9 months. I packed a bunch of marine grease in there, so hopefully it will last more than a year this time.

How many miles is that for you? I drive 30-40k miles a year, would I be greasing them weekly?

[derbo]

Did you guys get the installed with lollipops or did you install them yourselves?

[UdubBadger]

There was a guy on e46f.c and m3f.c who installs um for like $15 each and just takes back your cores.


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[LivesNearCostco]

I bought them installed by AKG and sent back my old ones for the core refund. In the year since installation I drove about 15,000 miles. They came greased from AKG but I didn't open them before installation to see how much grease was in there. AFAIK, all the poly FCABs require greasing, it's just a question of how often--some have more/better grease grooves than others, and more or less exposed to splashing water.

[Lanister]

I've been happy with my AKG FCABs but note I did need to regrease them after 12 months, and based on the condition of the grease, I probably should have regreased them after 9 months. I packed a bunch of marine grease in there, so hopefully it will last more than a year this time.

What does it take to re-grease them? Complete removal?

[danewilson77]

What does it take to re-grease them? Complete removal?

I'm sure they need to be removed.

Sent from my S4 > Mason, OH

[Smolck]

I'm sure they need to be removed.

Sent from my S4 > Mason, OH

AT least the poly fcabs come out by hand. No puller needed like the dumb oe rubber ones.

[ryankokesh]

Holy thread revival! Just realized this was mine! (Immediately after wondering what weirdo named a thread this...)

I ended up going akg and I'm definitely happy with them so far.

Question, though... How do I tell when I need to re-lube? Does that mean alignment?


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[LivesNearCostco]

Why did I re-lube? Because I heard squeaking and creaking a few months after upgrading front swaybar end links and camber plates. So I re-greased swaybar bushings and FCABs. Most creaking disappeared, but still a little in the mornings, which might be my adjustable swaybar end links combined with race camber plates.

Do you have to remove the FCABs to grease them? Yes but it's not hard, just takes time. Safely support front of car (or go on lift). Remove splash shield and reinforcement plate. Unbolt both lollipops, letting control arms droop. Twist and pull outer bushings (inside lollipops) off of inner bushings (still on control arm). Regrease. Push outer bushings onto inner bushings and bolt up lollipops. Replace reinforcement plate and splash shield.

I expect the UUC, Bav Auto, and PowerFlex poly FCABs are all regreased in the same way. No alignment needed.