Percision Works/PLM Mono Ball?

[Z33KLF]

Hi everyone.
I’ve been searching around but haven’t found any review of the Percision Works Mono Ball tension arm bushing.
Does anyone have experience with them?
They are way cheaper then other Monoballs on the market
https://privatelabelmfg.com/products...SABEgINGPD_BwE
I’m quite tempting, not sure if I should pull the trigger.

[Redd]

That's crazy cheap!

[M3SQRD]

It appears to not use a sealed bearing which means road debris will clog the bearing over time. I’ve used the BW sealed version on ‘09 and ‘12 e92 M3s for > decade, and f82 M4 for 5+ years with zero issues.

[Redd]

The website says they are sealed.

[M3SQRD]

Originally Posted by Redd

The website says they are sealed.

Good to know. I didn’t go to their website and read the product description. Sealed bearing is the only way to go so it’s something you’ll not have to worry or think about.

[christoepurrr]

Had no prior plans to install monoball bushings since I haven’t tracked so far, but was able to purchase set of PLM monoballs from another forum member for a good deal.

No experience with other brands so I can’t compare, but can say positive experience so far as mentioned on this thread:

https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1904365

[tdott]

I bought a set of these for a Spec E9X build I am working on. I threw them on a set of German TRW arms I had on my M3 years before the manfuacturing switch. My M3 got new arms with already pushed in monoballs from a guy that decided not to produce his design. (honestly they are great and I wish he did, i'd buy a set)

Honestly I am not impressed with how easy This PW /PLM monoball went together, it slipped into the control arm too easily imo. With only about 1mm of compression left, after torquing down the bolts that is taken up. But I hope these aren't like ones I heard of 5+ years ago that eventually came loose.

Time will tell, eitherway wont be a big deal if have to redo them but i'd probably go with GAS next time.


Pics below of them fully installed on the arms

[Redd]

Originally Posted by tdott

Honestly I am not impressed with how easy This PW /PLM monoball went together, it slipped into the control arm too easily imo. With only about 1mm of compression left, after torquing down the bolts that is taken up. But I hope these aren't like ones I heard of 5+ years ago that eventually came loose.

Good info. Maybe use Loctite 638 retaining compound if need to re-install.

[tdott]

Originally Posted by Redd

Good info. Maybe use Loctite 638 retaining compound if need to re-install.

I did use red loctite on the bolts but is this for the bore the bushing is pressed into? Interesting never used 638 on anything before.

[Redd]

Originally Posted by tdott

I did use red loctite on the bolts but is this for the bore the bushing is pressed into? Interesting never used 638 on anything before.

Yes retaining compound is for the bore the monoball is pushed into. Apply on both surfaces and push the monoball in. The retaining compound cures to hold the monoball from moving around. Since the monoball is bolted in place there's really no cause to worry. The retaining compound is just an extra layer of safety.

[Nish90]

Originally Posted by tdott

I bought a set of these for a Spec E9X build I am working on. I threw them on a set of German TRW arms I had on my M3 years before the manfuacturing switch. My M3 got new arms with already pushed in monoballs from a guy that decided not to produce his design. (honestly they are great and I wish he did, i'd buy a set)

Honestly I am not impressed with how easy This PW /PLM monoball went together, it slipped into the control arm too easily imo. With only about 1mm of compression left, after torquing down the bolts that is taken up. But I hope these aren't like ones I heard of 5+ years ago that eventually came loose.

Time will tell, eitherway wont be a big deal if have to redo them but i'd probably go with GAS next time.

I had a different experience. I followed the install video for the GAS bushings and had to do some light sanding for my PLM bushing to fit flush. Still needed to be "pressed in" but was able to do so by hand like the GAS install video.
Maybe I 'm misreading what you wrote. If you are re-using control arms that previously had monoball bushings, then those arms could have been sanded down when the previous bushings were installed causing a loose fitment due to different tolerances from different manufactures.

[2bits]

Received my PLM monoballs last week. Only wanted to report some superficial scrapes through the anodizing on the barrel and the other had a rim ding like it had been dropped on concrete. Maybe seconds, or a return, or just careless handling. This doesn't worry me, but if you are looking for cosmetic perfection, you may be disappointed.

ETA: I don't see any signs of a previous install, btw. I'm not accusing PLM of reselling used gear.

[tdott]

Originally Posted by Nish90

I had a different experience. I followed the install video for the GAS bushings and had to do some light sanding for my PLM bushing to fit flush. Still needed to be "pressed in" but was able to do so by hand like the GAS install video.
Maybe I 'm misreading what you wrote. If you are re-using control arms that previously had monoball bushings, then those arms could have been sanded down when the previous bushings were installed causing a lose fitment due to different tolerances from different manufactures.

I hadn't watched the GAS video yet didn't know those were hand pushed in. These were also easily pushed in by hand with only about 1mm left for the bolts to pull in when tightended. IMO that felt like it went in too easily and my fear is that eventually it will come loose.

They were used TRW Germany arms, stock bushings.