Rear Spherical Bearings Conversion on Stock Arms

[P1zzaboy]

Originally Posted by Move Over

The SPL arms offer a bit more adjustment, but I'll admit if I would have seen this offering before I did my full SPL build, I would have done these!

Wondering the same thing. I already have adjustable toe arms, and I am able to adjust everything to the specs I want with the oem adjustments. Do the other arms offer desirable geometry changes?

[Redd]

So I've had the car back for 2 days now and had the chance to drive it around a little bit, all normal road driving including some rough stuff. I did not get a chance to do any spirited driving due to ongoing lockdowns restricting me from going to the twisty bits.

I had all the bearings done including BW rear camber arm bearing so there's no more rubber in the rear suspension now. Additionally, I did ECS rear trailing arms and Powerflex Street (Yellow) rear shock mounts. The nett result of the whole package is that it feels like you're running on slightly stiffer springs (maybe 10% stiffer?), and the usual NVH that would entail. Beyond that, there is no abnormal NVH. The car doesn't ride over rough surfaces or rumble strips any harsher than before. There is a bit more vibration/harshness transmitted into the chassis of you hit something larger like a small bump or pothole, but it's the same I would expect from stiffer springs. It's not anything I would consider extreme and definitely daily driveable.

There was an added advantage for me cos I run Ohlins R/T and always wished it had slightly firmer springs in the rear. It feels just right for me now.

I haven't driven it hard enough to say if it adds any more body control than before. But like the NVH, I'm really not expecting a night and day difference. Maybe a bit less roll in the rear (like stiffer springs) and that's it. For the price you pay this is a worthwhile upgrade to do, especially if you're considering a rear suspension refresh. Full race arms like SPL would give much more adjustability, but many run race arms with stock geometry anyway so this is a good cheap alternative to that. Plus you get the reliability of sealed bearings.

[N54andS63TU]

Originally Posted by Redd

So I've had the car back for 2 days now and had the chance to drive it around a little bit, all normal road driving including some rough stuff. I did not get a chance to do any spirited driving due to ongoing lockdowns restricting me from going to the twisty bits.

I had all the bearings done including BW rear camber arm bearing so there's no more rubber in the rear suspension now. Additionally, I did ECS rear trailing arms and Powerflex Street (Yellow) rear shock mounts. The nett result of the whole package is that it feels like you're running on slightly stiffer springs (maybe 10% stiffer?), and the usual NVH that would entail. Beyond that, there is no abnormal NVH. The car doesn't ride over rough surfaces or rumble strips any harsher than before. There is a bit more vibration/harshness transmitted into the chassis of you hit something larger like a small bump or pothole, but it's the same I would expect from stiffer springs. It's not anything I would consider extreme and definitely daily driveable.

There was an added advantage for me cos I run Ohlins R/T and always wished it had slightly firmer springs in the rear. It feels just right for me now.

I haven't driven it hard enough to say if it adds any more body control than before. But like the NVH, I'm really not expecting a night and day difference. Maybe a bit less roll in the rear (like stiffer springs) and that's it. For the price you pay this is a worthwhile upgrade to do, especially if you're considering a rear suspension refresh. Full race arms like SPL would give much more adjustability, but many run race arms with stock geometry anyway so this is a good cheap alternative to that. Plus you get the reliability of sealed bearings.

Thanks for write up, this will be good cheap upgrade for my 135i rear end. For rear guide rods and wishbone arms did you use Meyle bearing on both ends of arms or only on spindle side?

[Redd]

Originally Posted by fast335i

Thanks for write up, this will be good cheap upgrade for my 135i rear end. For rear guide rods and wishbone arms did you use Meyle bearing on both ends of arms or only on spindle side?

Only spindle side. The spherical bearing in M3 guiderod/wishbone is built into the arm. It cannot be pressed out.

[Redd]

It's a public holiday here today with less cars on the road so I had the chance to do some high speed driving early in the morning on highways taking some sweepers at high speeds. There is definitely more feel from the rear end, felt thru the seat. You're more aware of what the rear tires are doing. It can take some getting used to cos you can feel a lot more going on back there. It's not uncomfortable or anything, just more feedback from the rear end. If you're looking for more feel/feedback from your car, this is definitely worth doing.

[N54andS63TU]

Originally Posted by Redd

Only spindle side. The spherical bearing in M3 guiderod/wishbone is built into the arm. It cannot be pressed out.

Thanks for reply, do you know by any chance if you can press out the bushings on the rear arms of the 135i

[Redd]

Originally Posted by fast335i

Thanks for reply, do you know by any chance if you can press out the bushings on the rear arms of the 135i

Check one of the posts on page 3, I think you can.

[N54andS63TU]

Originally Posted by Redd

Check one of the posts on page 3, I think you can.

I did, since Meyle is out of stock, I want to use lemforder for trailing arms, wishbone and guide rod, just want to make sure they all use same lemforder ball joint same part number across all arms correct?

[Redd]

Originally Posted by fast335i

I did, since Meyle is out of stock, I want to use lemforder for trailing arms, wishbone and guide rod, just want to make sure they all use same lemforder ball joint same part number across all arms correct?

Correct. See my original post. Trailing arm (both ends), guide rod (spindle end) and wishbone (spindle end) all use the same spherical bearing. Total 8 units for a full conversion.

But from what I hear, the Lemforders are sold out too.

[//steve\\]

I got my washers, Thanks!

[N54andS63TU]

Originally Posted by Redd

Correct. See my original post. Trailing arm (both ends), guide rod (spindle end) and wishbone (spindle end) all use the same spherical bearing. Total 8 units for a full conversion.

But from what I hear, the Lemforders are sold out too.

Thank you again for making this post, not sure if after this post but lemforder and meyles sold out everywhere hahah

[N54andS63TU]

Originally Posted by Redd

Correct. See my original post. Trailing arm (both ends), guide rod (spindle end) and wishbone (spindle end) all use the same spherical bearing. Total 8 units for a full conversion.

But from what I hear, the Lemforders are sold out too.

What is your opinion for on Whiteline W63400 inserts since Meyle or Lemforders out of stock is it worth purchasing 8 whiteline inserts for trailing arms and press them into control arms too. Or is it worth to wait for meyles to be back in stock?

[Redd]

Not familiar with the Whiteline products but they look like PU. I personally would prefer sphericals as there's no need to torque them with the suspension at ride height and also PU bushings tend to squeak after a while, especially components that are exposed to water like suspension arms.

[N54andS63TU]

Originally Posted by Redd

Not familiar with the Whiteline products but they look like PU. I personally would prefer sphericals as there's no need to torque them with the suspension at ride height and also PU bushings tend to squeak after a while, especially components that are exposed to water like suspension arms.

Thank you for reply, I'll wait for lemforder and meyle hopefully it will be back in stock soon

[Bartledoo]

Originally Posted by fast335i

Thank you for reply, I'll wait for lemforder and meyle hopefully it will be back in stock soon

Maybe Schirmer bought them all so they can sell them marked up 500%...

[tlrid3r]

Originally Posted by Bartledoo

Maybe Schirmer bought them all so they can sell them marked up 500%...

I believe it or some other local shop is doing the same conversation.

I still can't find more bearings. So I'll have to wait as well.

[EDWYER]

Great thread. Saved for future use.

[Redd]

Originally Posted by tlrid3r

I believe it or some other local shop is doing the same conversation.

I still can't find more bearings. So I'll have to wait as well.

I saw some Lemforders available on a UK site. Found it on Google.

[nodemgr]

Aren't these the same part? If you don't care that they are Moog - https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...32102&jsn=1188

edit: to find this I searched for part 33326777980 at rock auto and some moog and dorman are in stock. I'm sure other brands can be found as well there or other places.

[Redd]

These are the measurements of the spherical you need for the trailing arm, guide rod and wishbone:

- Inner diameter: 12 mm
- Outer diameter: 45 mm
- Height: 48 mm

Best to double check cos all the bearings look the same.

[N54andS63TU]

Originally Posted by Redd

These are the measurements of the spherical you need for the trailing arm, guide rod and wishbone:

- Inner diameter: 12 mm
- Outer diameter: 45 mm
- Height: 48 mm

Best to double check cos all the bearings look the same.

33326777980 with this part number I was able to find more bushing options

Rob FEBEST brand, Sidem Belgium, and Dorman brand spherical bearings.
Thinking of going with Sidem Belgium anyone heard of them before? I know Dorman is american not sure about the other.

[bbnks2]

new washer for sale thread here: https://www.m3post.com/forums/showth...6#post27202986