Shock and Strut, installation hardware

[prgallo]

I'm planning to order the Bilstein Touring shocks from shox.com, looks like an unbelievably good price. I plan to change my own, which I have done on other non-BMW cars so it doesn't scare me, however:

With 198K miles on a 1993 325i, what other hardware should I change at the same time? I'm thinking of things like upper strut tower bearings, other shock mounting hardware? Bavauto.com has these items listed, but it could all add another $150 or so to the price, but being cheap while have it apart doesn't make any sense to me, spending for parts that don't matter is equally undesireable.

Thanks in advance for your help.

One last thing, I may autocross this car some this year, what's the story on front crash bolts to get some negative camber. What's a reasonable price and a supplier, or is BMW it? I don't want to spend the money for the Koni's at this time.

 

[Faze]

Rear upper shock mounts! I have a 93 325i also, and mine are toast. I am doing a suspension very soon, most likely Bilstein PSS coilovers, and I will probably use the suspension kit that's offered by turnermotorsports.com that includes the strut tower bearing, shock mounts and other little components that are necessary. I also autocross my bimmer, and the stock setup got whipped after a few races, not that it was good to begin with. I am at just over 161k miles.

-Joe

 

[prgallo]

Joe, thanks for the info. I'll check out the turnermotorsports.com site as well. Good luck w/the autocrossing too!

 

[VANCE]

the rear shock mounts. i changed mine today. took about 1.25hrs. upgrade to e46 rsm's and add z3 reinforcement plates.
bmw part numbers on this page.....

http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/html_techtip/techtips/rear_shock_mounts.htm


also think about the rear trailing arm bushings. that is next on the to-do list next week

 

[manuel]

vance did you replace them due to problems? if so, what type of problems/symptoms was the car having?

 

[VANCE]

i basically upgraded. since ive got the lower suspension i wanted to reinforce the rear shock towers where the rsms bolt up.. from what i understand the symptoms of bad rsm's are
clunking when going over bumps.

 

[Faze]

Yeah, that's it. The clunking on mine is so severe it sounds like something is sliding around in the trunk hitting things. I really need to get on the ball and fix my sh!t. How do you like the Bilstein (sports I presume) and Eibach setup, Vance?

-J

 

[VANCE]

i actually have the touring. ive had them on for about 8 months and about 8000 miles. so far so good. i am considering going to the knoi sa's though. they will handle the lowering springs bettter and be a little more stiff

 

[Kirby]

Keep in mind that most suspension mods, other than different shox using the same mounting points, are not legal for SCCA AutoX STOCK class. Coilovers, upgrading to M3 parts, reinforcement plates, caster/camber plates, etc. will move you to a different class, like street prepared or street touring. At local events no one may care or challenge you if you "accidently" enter as stock, but at regional or national events you will be nailed. If you are running BMWCCA AutoX the rules are different.

While you are under there, since you hear noises, check the rear subframe mounts - where the body attaches to the rear assembly. A few E36s have had cracked mounts and floor pans that require welding to repair.

 

[SKycity_BMW]

check this site too . . . understeer.com click link below

http://www.ohiomotorcycle.com/understeer/onlinestore-suspension.shtml

 

[Faze]

I am not too worried about staying in stock class. I do it for the fun. A couple of guys I race with are a bit more competetive, but I just want to improve my own skills and have a good time.

-J

 

[dblE]

I plan on just upgrading and lowering my suspension, not going to race, except the occaional high way fun. Do you think I should put antiroll bars, rear shock mounts, etc? Or just stick with shocks & springs(eibach sport system kit-tirerack.com $535+17s&h)?