Help with Suspension Refresh at 50k miles/10 years

[anandoc]

For bump stops, I had (front: 31302290313 and rear: 33502290348) in my spreadsheet from earlier this year. I did not replace those, so it is possible I have them wrong.

Can't comment on the spring pads - I did not have them on my list either. Everything else checks out.

[BMWCurves]

For bump stops, I had (front: 31302290313 and rear: 33502290348) in my spreadsheet from earlier this year. I did not replace those, so it is possible I have them wrong.

Can't comment on the spring pads - I did not have them on my list either. Everything else checks out.

That's what I found in Real OEM, but it is labeled as "Repair kit, additional damper guard tube" and that it has "ENDED." Turner Motorsports' website calls it "Genuine BMW Front Axle Repair Kit" as well (link: http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-13...-bmw-part.aspx). ECS Tuning, however, states it is a front bump stop (link: http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330....0L/ES2530495/). So I'm not really sure what's up. Thanks for the info though, that was part of why I was having trouble nailing down the correct part numbers.

[BMWCurves]

So I think I have it all together. I am sourcing most of the stuff from Turner Motorsport while the FCABs and strut mounts I'll get from FCP Euro. However, TMS has the strut mounts for $50 each but they're made by Lemförder only and list no other manufacturer options. FCP Euro has the same mounts for less (hence why I plan to buy from them currently) but they also have BMW ones for about $75. Can anyone speak of Lemförder's build quality? Should I skip it and shell out for Original BMW?

[danewilson77]

Lemforder is solid in my experiences.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge

[BMWCurves]

Lemforder is solid in my experiences.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge

Mk, thanks! You have me satisfied with buying Lemförder. I also went back and edited the rear bump stops to part no. 33506757047 from 33531138109 as the latter is meant for lowered suspensions which I will not have with OE springs.

Some helpful info I found was a suspension refresh guide by Mango over on E46Fanatics: http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=932561

It mentions that you should replace the reinforcement plate bolts after their removal during FCAB replacements, his reasoning being:

When you reinstall the reinforcement plate, make sure you purchase 8 new bolts. These are designed to be changed every time you reinstall the plate. They shear in the event of a crash. You don't want to compromise these very crucial items.

Any idea as to the veracity of this claim? Part no. 31106772199

[san]

I remember reading somewhere that you can either replace the bolts or apply blue loctite on the old ones and reuse them... Not sure where I read it...


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[slater]

Some helpful info I found was a suspension refresh guide by Mango over on E46Fanatics: http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=932561

It mentions that you should replace the reinforcement plate bolts after their removal during FCAB replacements, his reasoning being:

Any idea as to the veracity of this claim? Part no. 31106772199

oh man. i have removed that thing a few times. i think they are likely referred to as 'stretch' bolts, in which case, yes, they should be replaced, but i haven't done that. subframe bolts are the same way. lots of folks reuse them... as to whether it is safe or not, not sure. we'd have to run an analysis on the new bolt versus one that's been removed and reinstalled once or twice.

peter

[BMWCurves]

I remember reading somewhere that you can either replace the bolts or apply blue loctite on the old ones and reuse them... Not sure where I read it...

I remember reading that for the FCAB bolts, but not for these reinforcement plate bolts. But you could be right.

oh man. i have removed that thing a few times. i think they are likely referred to as 'stretch' bolts, in which case, yes, they should be replaced, but i haven't done that. subframe bolts are the same way. lots of folks reuse them... as to whether it is safe or not, not sure. we'd have to run an analysis on the new bolt versus one that's been removed and reinstalled once or twice.

peter

Hmm...I'll have to think on this. Thanks for the info.

I think I have one final question: Do I need to replace the top locking nuts (part no. 31316769731) for the strut mounts or can I reuse my old ones?

[BMWCurves]

I edited the first post with my finalized parts list for future reference for anyone else looking to do a similar suspension refresh. I will update with thoughts once I have it all installed, although it will be difficult to isolate the differences in feel to specific parts since these will all be going in together.

For anyone that has the Koni Sports, I'd be interested in hearing what stiffness settings you have yours set to? I've heard that the suspension softens/settles after about 500-1000 miles, so I'm thinking I'd do 3/4 turn stiffness front and back.

[san]

I edited the first post with my finalized parts list for future reference for anyone else looking to do a similar suspension refresh. I will update with thoughts once I have it all installed, although it will be difficult to isolate the differences in feel to specific parts since these will all be going in together.

For anyone that has the Koni Sports, I'd be interested in hearing what stiffness settings you have yours set to? I've heard that the suspension softens/settles after about 500-1000 miles, so I'm thinking I'd do 3/4 turn stiffness front and back.

Thanks! I will be doing the suspension refresh myself soon, so this will be very helpful to me...


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