Suspension Refresh!

[05ImolaRed]

So today am starting on major suspension refresh of my 05 ZHP. I bought the BMW performance suspension kit (OEM stuff) for $500 and going to replace front struts, rear shocks, control arms, & rear shock mts. I also bought Powerflex CAB's preset in housings, and Powerflex RTABs!

Working on it by myself & still have a few tools to borrow, so may take a while & plan to tackle 1 corner at a time. Will update post w/ photos.

Wish me luck!

Chuck

[danewilson77]

Good luck. In for pics. Did you buy new fsm's as well?

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[das boots]

Chuck....Where did you purchase your BMW performance suspension kit? Gary, hopefully my ZHP goes up the rack in Vista BMW to be the guinea pig......I wouild love to have all to see and have comments.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Lawrence, last I heard, everyone could go on the rack. I'm looking forward to seeing your ZHP (if you get it).

[johnrando]

...

Wish me luck!

Chuck

Good luck!

[05ImolaRed]

There are some good writeups on susp, so wont rehash, just add where I thought it was a little more diff from the write up.

Step 1 place on your handy 2 post 9,000lbs lift
http://www.kcbmwclub.com/gallery/d/57611-2/IMG_8660.JPG

Removed innerfender liner, thought it was rather stubborn and was afraid I was going to break something. Used trim panel tools to pop tabs
http://www.kcbmwclub.com/gallery/d/57620-2/IMG_8661_001.JPG

New goodies. I got them from Turner Motorsport. I had an order w/ Tishcer but they ran out & arent getting anymore
http://www.kcbmwclub.com/gallery/d/57623-2/IMG_8662.JPG

You have to reuse the dust shield and assorted hardware on the shock you take out. Be very careful not to change the order. I lined parts up as I took off. Also top nut wants to just spin post, this was my solution w/ a cloth & some vice grips.
http://www.kcbmwclub.com/gallery/d/57626-2/IMG_8664.JPG

New bumpstop installed. It took a fair amt of wiggling to get it out of the top of the dust sheild. Thought it cool that the part numbers were identical!
http://www.kcbmwclub.com/gallery/d/57629-2/IMG_8666.JPG

My fix for solo install. Used jack to push new shock up into rear fender slowly to line up Rear Shock Mts into holes.
http://www.kcbmwclub.com/gallery/d/57632-5/IMG_8667.JPG

That's prob it for today, have to work tonight & then will go back at it.
Chuck

[danewilson77]

Damn...you took all your trunk sheet out!

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[shadowpuck]

good work so far - keep us updated.....

[05ImolaRed]

Damn...you took all your trunk sheet out!

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

Just looks like it, I have fold down rear seats laid flat, pulled the floor cover off and just folded the liner off to the side - top right of pic.
http://www.kcbmwclub.com/gallery/d/57620-2/IMG_8661_001.JPG

[das boots]

Could you provide the P/Ns for the front & rear shocks? Are you also replacing your sway bars?

[nike001]

The kit I had my local dealer look up was P/N:

35500429577

[danewilson77]

Good luck. In for pics. Did you buy new fsm's as well?

HTC Thunderbolt+TT


Chuck....Where did you purchase your BMW performance suspension kit? Gary, hopefully my ZHP goes up the rack in Vista BMW to be the guinea pig......I wouild love to have all to see and have comments.


Could you provide the P/Ns for the front & rear shocks? Are you also replacing your sway bars?

Bump.

[danewilson77]

The kit I had my local dealer look up was P/N:

35500429577

Can you verify that P/N?

[05ImolaRed]

Can you verify that P/N?

33500429577 is same the # that's on my invoice from TMS.

[danewilson77]

33500429577 is same the # that's on my invoice from TMS.

Ok.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[05ImolaRed]

Had a good day working on the ZHP. Took longer than I thought, but I'd never done it on my own before. I did get both RTABs removed and the Powerflex ones installed. I also cleaned my hubs, lubed and torqued my studs on rear hub. I had planned on adjusting the parking brake but apparently its a different deal than an e36.

Day started off w a trip to Harbor Freight for an $38 electric impact gun & spring compressors. I love that place!

RTAB diy (http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=678004) I used. I found I had to release the brake line from the trailing arm because I thought it was pulling too much when I was getting the bushing out which they didnt comment on in the DIY

My secret weapon - from Victory Tools -RTAB bushing puller/installer
http://www.kcbmwclub.com/gallery/d/57816-2/IMG_8675.JPG

Suck-cess!
http://www.kcbmwclub.com/gallery/d/57819-2/IMG_8677.JPG

I got stuck here. The inside portion of the powerflex bushing wouldnt install easily. I ended up using the RTAB bushing tool to press it in. Surprising because DIY said you could just pound it in w/ a rubber mallet - I tried but it didnt work for me.
http://www.kcbmwclub.com/gallery/d/57822-5/IMG_8678.JPG

After I finished w/ rear of car, I took it off lift and subjectively could tell a diff from front to rear w/ leaning on car hard and letting go fast - felt much more firm than the front. I plan to do front in a few days or maybe this weekend w/ some help.

[05ImolaRed]

Could you provide the P/Ns for the front & rear shocks? Are you also replacing your sway bars?

U still want these or is the # for the kit ok?

[MrMaico]

Could you provide the P/Ns for the front & rear shocks? Are you also replacing your sway bars?

Individual part #'s for shocks/struts.....

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=BD53&mospid=47713&btnr=31_0808&hg=31&fg=95

Just FYI, these suspension packages are all sold out and NLA. I luckily got one right before they sold out. Works great but I'm not noticing a big change. I guess my old stuff was in good shape still. I still have a set of ZHP shocks/struts with 10,000 on them that I bought a couple of years ago but never installed as well as my old control arms that feel like they have a lot of life left in them. Ball joints don't have any play. I might consider selling either or if someone was interested.

Barry

[das boots]

Thanks for the P/N from Real OEM. I might consider to purchase your 'used' shocks. PMed you with my email address.

[danewilson77]

Thanks for the P/N from Real OEM. I might consider to purchase your 'used' shocks. PMed you with my email address.

Honestly, a cost effective way to replace you suspension is buy Front and rear, Meyle HD shock mounts, and an H&R cup kit with 1,000,000 mile warranty.

[das boots]

I agree. Shock mounts still have to be replaced aside from them shocks themselves. Just provide the P/N for the Meyle HD. Is the cup kit a requirement? Or can I use the original or at least purchase an OE cup kit instead of H&R? Would RealOEM have the same P/N for the upgraded cup kit? Funds are tight for now.

[jreyes19]

I agree. Shock mounts still have to be replaced aside from them shocks themselves. Just provide the P/N for the Meyle HD. Is the cup kit a requirement? Or can I use the original or at least purchase an OE cup kit instead of H&R? Would RealOEM have the same P/N for the upgraded cup kit? Funds are tight for now.

i know the feeling :(
i looked for any OEM upgrade kits all are sold out or rediculously expensive
you could go either aftermarket, or a low mile used oem zhp suspension

[MrMaico]

Thanks for the P/N from Real OEM. I might consider to purchase your 'used' shocks. PMed you with my email address.

Got your PM. I can get some pics later today. I was off a bit, they have 12,000 miles on them. Here is the old for sale ad I bought them from.....

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=714393&highlight=

Barry

[05ImolaRed]

Finally finished up today. I did the rears took a 2 day break then worked on it Frid/Sat/Sun & Finished today. I got stuck w/ spring compression. I had bought a cheap pair of spring compressors which stripped out in the clamped down position. Needless to say this was suboptimal & necessitated finding another set to help squeeze it futher so I could remove broken one, then a trip to a local DIY shop to borrow their hydraulic spring compressor. Well worth the trip & the $20 it cost me to use it.

Unknown plastic piece found up in torn dust boot was a device that was left over from delivery - it wasnt clamped down but free floating up in dust boot!
http://www.kcbmwclub.com/gallery/d/57873-2/Transprt.jpg

My DIY Savior!
http://www.kcbmwclub.com/gallery/d/57879-2/SprngComp.jpg

2 jaw puller used to remove CAB
http://www.kcbmwclub.com/gallery/d/57876-2/Puller.jpg

Nice to have my ZHP back!

[danewilson77]

Good work my man. Did you go with Meyle HD?

[05ImolaRed]

Good work my man. Did you go with Meyle HD?

Used Powerflex CAB's and RTABs

[danewilson77]

Used Powerflex CAB's and RTABs

Thanks