416tt

iTrader: (1)

Hey BGW,

tierods
sway bar bushing
definitely do the lower arm as well as the castor arm (biggie)!

and if your doing all that might as well do the sway links also for a little extra. you will have a whole new front end.. personally I believe in changing everything together so worn parts don't affect new parts.. gives your car a full refresh.

now you will notice quite the difference with all those things specially the castor arm.. but you have to remember this car has a very very soft steering (the wheels end up moving mostly because of how soft it is).. adjusting the steering damper has helped a lot from what I have read. I must do it myself as well.

Bgw70

Dang, I should have just ordered the rest of the parts...well, another trip to rock auto ;-)

Bgw70

I am still looking for new caster arms or just the bushings and the rack and pinion bushings. Rockauto does not have them...I will look on the moog website.

Do the inner tie rods really need to be replaced?

V300Graham

Yes. EVERYTHING at the front wears out. Replace all joints and bushings. I did 2 years ago and the car is very well behaved now.

Bgw70

Guys, I am looking everywhere for parts...I contacted TMengineering this morning to ask them about bushings. I wanted to find out what was in the S2-2002 bushing kit. This kit has four sets of bushings no where could I find a description of where they are used.

Then I am looking on the Daizen website, but still no help at all, they don't list the applications for the bushings.

Amazon, same thing, four sets of bushings, no description.

I just need to know where each bushing belongs, can anyone one help?

Bgw70

Daizen S2-2002

If so, where are the bushings used?

Bgw70

BTW, control arm bushings are difficult to find.
I saw some from Taiwan and the Russian in Siberia...

No Moog or any of the other familiar US brand names.

Coleroad

My curiosity in this is, when the problem is not solved by new bushes and ball joints. How many of the non fixed cars have different wheels with changed offset, or spacers. Also how many are lowered. My thoughts are the change in the scrub radius is causing the stability change. I'm thinking that this suspension is overly sensitive to these changes. I welcome feed back on this.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scrub_radius

Coleroad

Just another thought. On BMW e82 and e88's soft subframe bushes cause squirming even in a straight line. This happens especially on lowered cars.

Coleroad

This video gives good explanation on how scrub radius changes steering and steering feel. It also explains how it helps to maintain straight ahead like caster does.

Coleroad

Another video that is more demonstrative.

Bgw70

That is good information, but the problem with these cars, is poor quality rubber. The bushings wear out prematurely and if your car is wondering, you need new parts first, then you can look at other things.

Let me say this, when I purchased this car it had 63k miles, the previous owner was one of those guys who just drove it and only changed the oil...the two hour drive from Miami was interesting, to say the least.
This car was abused more than most, when it comes to care. The good thing, he was more mature and did not race Trans Am's with LS1s. BTW, LS1s will kill this car, LoL

Anyway, the front end was worn out but it continues to get better...I wish I would have paid more attention to this thread earlier because everything in the front end of this car needs to be replaced and it will be.

Graham and bimmer have done this and I am going to join them. I want this thing to drive solid and straight... ;-)

Coleroad

I was referring to when people have stated that after changing the components still not having the correct feel. If you change the wheel offset or tire diameter you change the scrub radius

Bgw70

Help me out a little Cole, you seem to really know your stuff...what is your background?

Only fair to share, everything I know is from reading books, before Internet, and experience. Retired USAF guy, did airborne comm and they taught me electronics...your turn. :-)

Coleroad

I was an ent medical technician in the army. I graduated auto technology at northwestern technical college ( now university northwestern) in Lima Ohio. Then a mechanical engineering degree from Michigan State. Now semi retired.