Front Strut Foam Piece?

delirium330 · 07-08-2018, 05:03 PM

I know little about suspension components. What is this foam piece that is deteriorating on the top of the front strut? Bumpstop? I have EDC if that matters. 65k miles.

Can these be left alone in current state?

vincE92M3 · 07-08-2018, 05:08 PM

These are the bump stops.

Fairly easy to replace

delirium330 · 07-08-2018, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vincE92M3

These are the bump stops.

Fairly easy to replace

Thanks, just drop the strut down from the tower and slide new ones on?

Looks like part # 31302283444.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...r/31302283444/

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=31_0805 #8?

vincE92M3 · 07-08-2018, 05:43 PM

Yeah, I'd review a DIY for installing springs for more detail.

delirium330 · 07-08-2018, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vincE92M3

Yeah, I'd review a DIY for installing springs for more detail.

Will do. Any aftermarket parts worth exploring or just stick with OEM?

delirium330 · 07-14-2018, 01:31 PM

Just checked my rears as well. Should I replace these also? Looks like some deterioration just starting. Looks like part #33532283445.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...r/33532283445/

BOOF-M3 · 07-14-2018, 02:07 PM

Not an easy DIY for a first timer by yourself. I would say it's a 7.5 on a scale of 1 to 10. And quite honestly I don't know how important it is to replace just the bump stops. Haven't read yet where any member has said it is pertinent to change them out.

EJT86 · 07-14-2018, 02:45 PM

Don’t people usually swap them out for E46 bump stops

delirium330 · 07-14-2018, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BOOF-M3

Not an easy DIY for a first timer by yourself. I would say it's a 7.5 on a scale of 1 to 10. And quite honestly I don't know how important it is to replace just the bump stops. Haven't read yet where any member has said it is pertinent to change them out.

Front, Rear or both are 7.5/10? Have done a ton of DIY under the hood, but pretty limited on anything suspension related. Brake and rotor replacement closest I have gotten.

BOOF-M3 · 07-14-2018, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by delirium330

Quote:

Originally Posted by BOOF-M3

Not an easy DIY for a first timer by yourself. I would say it's a 7.5 on a scale of 1 to 10. And quite honestly I don't know how important it is to replace just the bump stops. Haven't read yet where any member has said it is pertinent to change them out.

Front, Rear or both are 7.5/10? Have done a ton of DIY under the hood, but pretty limited on anything suspension related. Brake and rotor replacement closest I have gotten.

Plenty of diy videos on YouTube. For the rears you have to essentially remove the liners, carpet and trim in the trunk to get to the bolt.

For the fronts access is fairly easy but there is quite a bit going on. Takes me about 45min or less to change out a front strut now. Find a diy and go for it.

delirium330 · 07-14-2018, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BOOF-M3

Plenty of diy videos on YouTube. For the rears you have to essentially remove the liners, carpet and trim in the trunk to get to the bolt.

For the fronts access is fairly easy but there is quite a bit going on. Takes me about 45min or less to change out a front strut now. Find a diy and go for it.

Just watched one, seems do-able but didn't think it was so involved. Might as well get some lowering springs while I'm at it!!

BOOF-M3 · 07-15-2018, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by delirium330

Quote:

Originally Posted by BOOF-M3

Plenty of diy videos on YouTube. For the rears you have to essentially remove the liners, carpet and trim in the trunk to get to the bolt.

For the fronts access is fairly easy but there is quite a bit going on. Takes me about 45min or less to change out a front strut now. Find a diy and go for it.

Just watched one, seems do-able but didn't think it was so involved. Might as well get some lowering springs while I'm at it!!

KW H.A.S. Kit https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1515492

Not sure if this will do the trick. Has your bump stops also.

delirium330 · 08-06-2018, 05:05 PM

Just getting back to this to decide if I should tackle this work. Can anyone weigh in on if I actually need to address those bump stops? FWIW I got a $600 quote from a local indy.

dparm · 08-06-2018, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by delirium330

Just getting back to this to decide if I should tackle this work. Can anyone weigh in on if I actually need to address those bump stops? FWIW I got a $600 quote from a local indy.

It doesn't look terrible, so I'm not really sure it's a pressing issue that needs your immediate attention. Keep an eye on it. You might be able to go another year, for all we know.

delirium330 · 08-09-2018, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dparm

It doesn't look terrible, so I'm not really sure it's a pressing issue that needs your immediate attention. Keep an eye on it. You might be able to go another year, for all we know.

Thanks, I'm actively debating having an indy do my valve covers so if I take it in for that I can have them take a look as well.

What symptoms would appear if they start to deteriorate too much?

330ciprem · 08-09-2018, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by delirium330

Thanks, I'm actively debating having an indy do my valve covers so if I take it in for that I can have them take a look as well.

What symptoms would appear if they start to deteriorate too much?

Bump stop.

Glorified dust cover.

You won't see any issues with the drive - it's just there to keep the insides clean.

If they are front struts then you can't just swap them - you need to compress the spring to get it out, too much work for a simple dust cover.

Don't worry about it.

Solo_M_Tech · 08-09-2018, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 330ciprem

Quote:

Originally Posted by delirium330

Thanks, I'm actively debating having an indy do my valve covers so if I take it in for that I can have them take a look as well.

What symptoms would appear if they start to deteriorate too much?

Bump stop.

Glorified dust cover.

You won't see any issues with the drive - it's just there to keep the insides clean.

If they are front struts then you can't just swap them - you need to compress the spring to get it out, too much work for a simple dust cover.

Don't worry about it.

what? Are you joking? Dust cover?

OP
They are there to prevent/ reduce the chances of bottoming out the strut. which can destroy it. They are important, and it needs to be addressed.

330ciprem · 08-10-2018, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fubar_M3

what? Are you joking? Dust cover?

OP
They are there to prevent/ reduce the chances of bottoming out the strut. which can destroy it. They are important, and it needs to be addressed.

The brown portion that's degrading is the dust cover.

The orange portion is the bump stop which looks pretty intact.

Correct me if I am wrong.

Solo_M_Tech · 08-10-2018, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 330ciprem

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fubar_M3

what? Are you joking? Dust cover?

OP
They are there to prevent/ reduce the chances of bottoming out the strut. which can destroy it. They are important, and it needs to be addressed.

The brown portion that's degrading is the dust cover.

The orange portion is the bump stop which looks pretty intact.

Correct me if I am wrong.

yes, you are wrong. the entire piece is the bump stop, and in its current condition, it's in need of replacement. the factory new one is light yellow in color and rigid. not orange and falling apart.

330ciprem · 08-10-2018, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fubar_M3

yes, you are wrong. the entire piece is the bump stop, and in its current condition, it's in need of replacement. the factory new one is light yellow in color and rigid. not orange and falling apart.

Thanks for the info.

Learning new stuff everyday.

deansbimmer · 08-10-2018, 03:19 PM

There is a grey plastic sleeve that is supposed to fit over rear the foam bump stop. It's there to keep the shock shaft clean which prolongs the shaft seal life. It's still on the OP's car from his pics. When the bump stop deteriorates that grey dust cover sleeve falls down onto the shock body and stops protecting the shaft. That happens when the bumpstop gets really bad.

The bump stops keep the shock from bottoming out which damages its internals. How much your bump stops are needed depends on your roads and driving styles. If you never bottom out then the bump stops aren't really doing much anyways.

07-08-2018, 05:03 PM	#1
delirium330 First Lieutenant 205 Rep 330 Posts Drives: 2010 E92 M3 3 Pedals Join Date: May 2015 Location: West Coast iTrader: (0)	Front Strut Foam Piece? I know little about suspension components. What is this foam piece that is deteriorating on the top of the front strut? Bumpstop? I have EDC if that matters. 65k miles. Can these be left alone in current state? Attached Images Last edited by delirium330; 07-08-2018 at 05:19 PM..
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07-08-2018, 05:08 PM	#2
vincE92M3 Major 564 Rep 1,366 Posts Drives: ///M Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (3) Garage List '11 E92 M3 [0.00]	These are the bump stops. Fairly easy to replace
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07-08-2018, 05:43 PM	#4
vincE92M3 Major 564 Rep 1,366 Posts Drives: ///M Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (3) Garage List '11 E92 M3 [0.00]	Yeah, I'd review a DIY for installing springs for more detail. __________________ ///My OEM+ Silverstone Stripper
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07-14-2018, 01:31 PM	#6
delirium330 First Lieutenant 205 Rep 330 Posts Drives: 2010 E92 M3 3 Pedals Join Date: May 2015 Location: West Coast iTrader: (0)	Just checked my rears as well. Should I replace these also? Looks like some deterioration just starting. Looks like part #33532283445. https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...r/33532283445/ Attached Images
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07-14-2018, 02:07 PM	#7
BOOF-M3 Brigadier General 4452 Rep 4,014 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Pasadena Florida iTrader: (1)	Not an easy DIY for a first timer by yourself. I would say it's a 7.5 on a scale of 1 to 10. And quite honestly I don't know how important it is to replace just the bump stops. Haven't read yet where any member has said it is pertinent to change them out.
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07-14-2018, 02:45 PM	#8
EJT86 Brigadier General 2383 Rep 3,726 Posts Drives: 2018 M2 Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (0) Garage List [0.00] 2018 BMW M2 [0.00]	Don’t people usually swap them out for E46 bump stops
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08-06-2018, 05:05 PM	#13
delirium330 First Lieutenant 205 Rep 330 Posts Drives: 2010 E92 M3 3 Pedals Join Date: May 2015 Location: West Coast iTrader: (0)	Just getting back to this to decide if I should tackle this work. Can anyone weigh in on if I actually need to address those bump stops? FWIW I got a $600 quote from a local indy.
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08-10-2018, 03:19 PM	#21
deansbimmer BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 3749 Rep 2,907 Posts Drives: 2011 E93 M3 Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: DFW, Texas iTrader: (17) Garage List 1988 BMW M3 [0.00] 2013 BMW M3 [0.00] 2011 X5M [0.00] 2011 BMW M3 [0.00]	There is a grey plastic sleeve that is supposed to fit over rear the foam bump stop. It's there to keep the shock shaft clean which prolongs the shaft seal life. It's still on the OP's car from his pics. When the bump stop deteriorates that grey dust cover sleeve falls down onto the shock body and stops protecting the shaft. That happens when the bumpstop gets really bad. The bump stops keep the shock from bottoming out which damages its internals. How much your bump stops are needed depends on your roads and driving styles. If you never bottom out then the bump stops aren't really doing much anyways.
	Appreciate 0 Quote