RVAzhp's suspension replacement....

[RVAzhp]

So guys, my stock suspension is shot. the passenger side front strut has leaked all over itself and the driver side seems to have sheared a bolt...sounds like i have don't too much #yoloing in the car but in reality i think just stock suspension after 140k gets worn out.


SOOO I have purchased some bilstein PSS suspension setup. Price wasn't so much the factor as so many good reviews and they were recommended by lots of people including the shop i take my car too. anyways, they have arrived yesterday and hopefully this month i'll have them installed and ready to rock.

This thread is for pictures once i get them and any tips you all may or may not have during the process.

PS-yes i bought the reinforcement plates for the front and the rear.

[Vas]

Looking forward to pictures.

[Avetiso]

Awesome.

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[PirateZHP]

Sweet! Looking forward to pics!

[QC_ZHP]

Nice purchase, love mine. It has "Made in Germany" stamped on it so you won't be disappointed

[RVAzhp]

Thanks guys, was hiking last weekend and in El Paso all week and probably won't make it back to the car this weekend to start the install, next weekend I have a wedding to go to...god damn life getting in the way of my BMW!


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[RVAzhp]

First pictures of the parts...I need to probably replace the strut hat/bolts and will be calling around to ecs and the dealer to see what its gonna run me.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/07/y9esanuh.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/07/aqu7ydu4.jpg


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[blalor]

I love new parts. :-) I just did this on my ZHP, but with KONI Sport dampers. I bought the complete refresh kit from Turner, which will run you about $335: http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-11799-3-series-strutshock-mount-kit-e46-not-m3-not-xi.aspx

[alexandre]

Definitely replace all mounts, bushings, and nuts. Skimping on $100 of parts on a $1,200 job is not worth it haha.

[RVAzhp]

Didn't buy complete kit, but bought the strut reinforcements and front bearings and end links (they were in horrible shape). First front kicked my ass cause of the strut top bolt, that thing is tricky as hell. Will probably replace rear mounts. Here's the front-http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/20/2ypezanu.jpg


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[danewilson77]

Looks clean RVA.

Samsung Galaxy S5...

[ELCID86]

Yep. I remember my first strut job DIY.


Thumbs, iPhone, Tapatalk.

[328ioc]

Looks good.

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[RVAzhp]

Real question- do you have to hold the strut shaft to torque the strut shaft nut? And why the heck is there no easy way to do that then!


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[ELCID86]

I can't recall I followed the DIY. I think a air wrench helps as it overcomes the resistance. It's been a few years though.

[RVAzhp]

It's not big deal pulling it off the old one but it says specifically to not do it on the end one cause twisting the shaft can screw up the inside of the strut? Basically this shit is ridiculous -

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/20/apezedyn.jpg

That is probably the trickiest part ^


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[ELCID86]

Oh yeah I remember that!


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[Stewbie]

FYI - For anyone else looking to redo their struts/shocks/springs, Koni's having their 25% off spring (as in the season) sale again this year: http://www.koni-na.com/uploads/30261_Shock_Value_Consumer_PR.pdf

http://www.tirerack.com/suspension/brand.jsp?brand=KONI

[RVAzhp]

So I work on my car at my parents house in Chesapeake (i live in Richmond, va) and my dad...who helps me on all my car endeavors...just says to me- "i don't know why you'd want to lower the car, you put all this expensive shit on it only to mess it all up lowering it"


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[RVAzhp]

I will say tho he's has always helped me on my car projects and always seems to have some trick up his sleeve when working on cars. (He drives a lightly modded 2003 grand marquis).

Currently just lowering the front ~1". Not gonna go too crazy till I get new tires and get it all aligned and adjusted to drive


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[RVAzhp]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/21/sary9a7u.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/21/ajyquma8.jpg

Hard to tell, but it's super dirty. The back is lowered all the way the front is~ 1/2. This is just the experiment until I get new tires in June and everything aligned. May lower the front completely later...we'll see how the rubbing goes.


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[ELCID86]

Nice stance. BTW, what splitters are you wearing?

[RVAzhp]

I honestly can't remember the company who I bought them from. Originally I had the OEM BMW ones but broke one real bad. Then I got these and they were CF wrapped. Well I broke one too...I was able to fix it but eventually the clear coat just kept on chipping away...so I sanded them and sprayed them in bedliner (that stuff from autozone, got the idea when I was doing the bumpers on my truck).


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[Avetiso]

Explain that quality lowering is good.

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[RVAzhp]

Some other pictures of my girl.http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/21/sepe5yne.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/21/uzezenug.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/21/utehasam.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/21/tegy8u5u.jpg


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[Avetiso]

I kinda miss the Performance knob. Can't decide which knob I like more lol.

[Hornung418]

Mine broke...the clips on the bottom snapped off. Only two remain.

Sent from my GS3.

[RVAzhp]

Mine broke...the clips on the bottom snapped off. Only two remain.

Sent from my GS3.

What broke? Clips on the bottom of what?


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[Hornung418]

Shift knob. Four plastic retaining tabs hold the knob firmly on the lever. During a hard 1-2 shift the knob flew off because two of the four clips broke. There was no foam in place to keep them firmly placed in their positions. Check the ZHP knob and compare the two. One is better designed for staying put. So I would add an oring between the knob and the plastic retaining clips. Check it out and you'll see what I mean.

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[QC_ZHP]

Car looks great, enjoy the setup.

[RVAzhp]

Shift knob. Four plastic retaining tabs hold the knob firmly on the lever. During a hard 1-2 shift the knob flew off because two of the four clips broke. There was no foam in place to keep them firmly placed in their positions. Check the ZHP knob and compare the two. One is better designed for staying put. So I would add an oring between the knob and the plastic retaining clips. Check it out and you'll see what I mean.

Sent from my GS3.

Ah, I'll check it out. I got the performance knob cause my original knob was busted on the inside and falling apart on the top, it now is actuLly jammed onto my ford ranger shifter.


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[Simmsled]

Impressions on the suspension now that you've had it for a few months?