E92 M3 Front Control Arm Monoball Bushings

nycplumber · 08-07-2019, 05:17 AM

Buy the German Auto Solution ones. They're the same design as the more expensive dinan's at half the price. I have had the Bimmerworld ones and these are not only cheaper but WAY higher quality.

CurbBender'90 · 08-09-2019, 04:58 AM

I have a question to all! Do monoballs increase the harshness of expansion joints, potholes, and imperfections when you ride over them? Being lower on KW's increased this slightly I feel, so would mono's in addition make it worse? I prefer the precision....

M_Chronos · 08-09-2019, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CurbBender'90

I have a question to all! Do monoballs increase the harshness of expansion joints, potholes, and imperfections when you ride over them? Being lower on KW's increased this slightly I feel, so would mono's in addition make it worse? I prefer the precision....

I believe this is THE question. Mine is at 47k miles on original bushings and am likely tossing in a set of Dinan monoballs to answer this question for myself.

wyatth · 08-09-2019, 12:55 PM

Keep us posted. Most say it's negligible, but does add a little harshness (but not noise or vibration, unless the bearing is a POS).

dozaiya · 08-09-2019, 07:42 PM

i was on kw cs before the GAS monoballs, and after the monoballs there was no noise or vibration, but harshness went up noticeably by about 10%, still tolerable

Redd · 11-03-2019, 05:58 PM

Can anyone offer a long term review on these monoballs, especially the ones from GAS? Trying to see if they last longer than stock.

BimmerMan33 · 11-14-2019, 06:07 AM

Got the GAS ones few months ago,
2 track days on these so far, steering feel under braking is definitely improved and no steering vibration at all under hard braking.
Car is a daily driver with 75 mile round trip, noticed no significant increase in harshness over rough roads in general but rumble strips definitely feel more harsh than before.

GAS told me that these were easy fit for non M e9x and wouldn't be an easy swap on M3 due to aluminum control arms. I paid an additional $25 per side for GAS to install the bushing in new control arms...

They feel like a good quality product & am happy with the performance, hoping they'll last a while!

Redd · 11-14-2019, 08:45 AM

Yeah GAS told me that for the E9x M3 tension struts, removing the stock rubber bushings will damage the bore. So you need to rehone the bore before pumping the new monoballs in.

M43S7RO · 11-14-2019, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redd

Yeah GAS told me that for the E9x M3 tension struts, removing the stock rubber bushings will damage the bore. So you need to rehone the bore before pumping the new monoballs in.

Hmm, I removed my stock bushings and pressed GAS monoballs and have no issues. Their installation pdf does not mention possible need to rehone.

This is what I worked off of:

https://www.germanautosolutions.com/...lation_diy.php

DRLane · 11-14-2019, 12:59 PM

I used the supplied steel wool pad, and a light sanding pad on my dremel to polish it up. No issues pressing the monoballs in with their rental press.

pbonsalb · 11-14-2019, 05:27 PM

The M3 bushings are split case, unlike non-M bushings, which is why they can damage the control arm when being removed. If there are any ridges as a result, pressing the monoballs in can cause further damage. Honing or cleaning up the bore makes sense.

Redd · 11-16-2019, 05:41 PM

How long do the ball joints on the front tension arms last? I have GAS monoballs coming and trying to decide if I should press them into my current arms (25k miles old) or get new arms.

pbonsalb · 11-16-2019, 07:17 PM

I would not buy new arms at 25k miles. At twice that you might need new front bushings but the ball joint should still be fine.

Redd · 11-16-2019, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

I would not buy new arms at 25k miles. At twice that you might need new front bushings but the ball joint should still be fine.

Thanks!

derbo · 11-26-2019, 02:58 PM

They also offer new TRW arms pressed with their mono balls if you email them. I plan to go this route when my arms need replacement.

DRLane · 11-26-2019, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by derbo

They also offer new TRW arms pressed with their mono balls if you email them. I plan to go this route when my arms need replacement.

Just note it's a very very simple install with their bushing press rental. Likely easier than replacing the whole arm given you don't have to mess with the knuckle.

Took 2 hours at a leisure pace including jacking the car up and down. Their instructions are very detailed. Strongly recommend anyone considering this upgrade to tackle it yourself. Solid savings $$$.

derbo · 11-26-2019, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRLane

Just note it's a very very simple install with their bushing press rental. Likely easier than replacing the whole arm given you don't have to mess with the knuckle.

Took 2 hours at a leisure pace including jacking the car up and down. Their instructions are very detailed. Strongly recommend anyone considering this upgrade to tackle it yourself. Solid savings $$$.

They mentioned when pressing out the bushing that the housing deformed and needs to be adjusted a few times. Extra $25 to install isn't a big deal if I'm already planning to replace the arms.

I can definitely get the tool and do it myself but at $25, that doesn't seem like a big deal and saves the hassle of shipping it back the tool. At least from my perspective, I rather save time on this one.

DRLane · 11-26-2019, 03:33 PM

Fair point if you're already replacing the thrust arms! The $25 is indicative of the 5 minutes it takes to press each bearing in.

Either way, great modification. Strongly recommend GAS to anyone considering.

derbo · 11-26-2019, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRLane

Fair point if you're already replacing the thrust arms! The $25 is indicative of the 5 minutes it takes to press each bearing in.

Either way, great modification. Strongly recommend GAS to anyone considering.

Indeed! It only makes sense if you are replacing the arms.

Redd · 01-02-2020, 06:51 PM

Just installed my GAS monoballs. While all the comments above are true, the difference isn't massive. It's just a small difference. Car feels tighter and slightly more responsive. It's definitely stiffer, maybe about 10%. But I did not notice any additional harshness, which is a good thing (and I have bad roads here). Basically it feels like I tightened up my Ohlins dampers one more click.

Hopefully it will last longer than the stock bushings. Otherwise it may not be a worthwhile mod for daily drivers.

dozaiya · 01-02-2020, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redd

Just installed my GAS monoballs. While all the comments above are true, the difference isn't massive. It's just a small difference. Car feels tighter and slightly more responsive. It's definitely stiffer, maybe about 10%. But I did not notice any additional harshness, which is a good thing (and I have bad roads here). Basically it feels like I tightened up my Ohlins dampers one more click.

Hopefully it will last longer than the stock bushings. Otherwise it may not be a worthwhile mod for daily drivers.

yes, it's going to be more noticeable on the track, the shimmy i usually get when braking hard is gone

Redd · 09-17-2020, 07:27 PM

I started to notice a single loud 'clack' noise from the front end when reversing the car with steering lock (eg reverse parking the car). Sounds like something metallic binding then releasing. No noise when reversing straight, or normal driving. Not sure if it's the monoballs or something else.

Anyone else on monoballs notice something similar?

08-07-2019, 05:17 AM	#23
nycplumber Major 682 Rep 1,226 Posts Drives: slow Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: nyc iTrader: (0)	Buy the German Auto Solution ones. They're the same design as the more expensive dinan's at half the price. I have had the Bimmerworld ones and these are not only cheaper but WAY higher quality.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-09-2019, 04:58 AM	#24
CurbBender'90 S 72 Rep 438 Posts Drives: 2010 S65 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: West.Bloom iTrader: (1)	I have a question to all! Do monoballs increase the harshness of expansion joints, potholes, and imperfections when you ride over them? Being lower on KW's increased this slightly I feel, so would mono's in addition make it worse? I prefer the precision.... __________________ DCK
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-09-2019, 12:55 PM	#26
wyatth Colonel 3547 Rep 2,823 Posts Drives: E90 ZCP Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (0)	Keep us posted. Most say it's negligible, but does add a little harshness (but not noise or vibration, unless the bearing is a POS).
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-09-2019, 07:42 PM	#27
dozaiya Captain 236 Rep 957 Posts Drives: 2011 MW E92 M3 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Shanghai iTrader: (1)	i was on kw cs before the GAS monoballs, and after the monoballs there was no noise or vibration, but harshness went up noticeably by about 10%, still tolerable
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-03-2019, 05:58 PM	#28
Redd Brigadier General 3894 Rep 4,155 Posts Drives: 2010 BMW E92 M3 Dakar Edition Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Malaysia iTrader: (0)	Can anyone offer a long term review on these monoballs, especially the ones from GAS? Trying to see if they last longer than stock.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-14-2019, 06:07 AM	#29
BimmerMan33 Private First Class 121 Rep 190 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW M3, 2014 BMW X5 Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Illinois, USA iTrader: (0)	Got the GAS ones few months ago, 2 track days on these so far, steering feel under braking is definitely improved and no steering vibration at all under hard braking. Car is a daily driver with 75 mile round trip, noticed no significant increase in harshness over rough roads in general but rumble strips definitely feel more harsh than before. GAS told me that these were easy fit for non M e9x and wouldn't be an easy swap on M3 due to aluminum control arms. I paid an additional $25 per side for GAS to install the bushing in new control arms... They feel like a good quality product & am happy with the performance, hoping they'll last a while!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-14-2019, 08:45 AM	#30
Redd Brigadier General 3894 Rep 4,155 Posts Drives: 2010 BMW E92 M3 Dakar Edition Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Malaysia iTrader: (0)	Yeah GAS told me that for the E9x M3 tension struts, removing the stock rubber bushings will damage the bore. So you need to rehone the bore before pumping the new monoballs in.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-14-2019, 12:59 PM	#32
DRLane Brigadier General 3983 Rep 3,407 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Colorado iTrader: (21) Garage List 2008 m3 [6.63]	I used the supplied steel wool pad, and a light sanding pad on my dremel to polish it up. No issues pressing the monoballs in with their rental press. __________________ Not a Doctor, those are just my initials.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-14-2019, 05:27 PM	#33
pbonsalb Lieutenant General 5211 Rep 10,592 Posts Drives: 18 F90 M5, 99 E36 M3 Turbo Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: New England iTrader: (4)	The M3 bushings are split case, unlike non-M bushings, which is why they can damage the control arm when being removed. If there are any ridges as a result, pressing the monoballs in can cause further damage. Honing or cleaning up the bore makes sense.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-16-2019, 05:41 PM	#34
Redd Brigadier General 3894 Rep 4,155 Posts Drives: 2010 BMW E92 M3 Dakar Edition Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Malaysia iTrader: (0)	How long do the ball joints on the front tension arms last? I have GAS monoballs coming and trying to decide if I should press them into my current arms (25k miles old) or get new arms.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-16-2019, 07:17 PM	#35
pbonsalb Lieutenant General 5211 Rep 10,592 Posts Drives: 18 F90 M5, 99 E36 M3 Turbo Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: New England iTrader: (4)	I would not buy new arms at 25k miles. At twice that you might need new front bushings but the ball joint should still be fine.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-26-2019, 02:58 PM	#37
derbo Derbo Tuning 3604 Rep 3,020 Posts Drives: BMW M3 Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (2)	They also offer new TRW arms pressed with their mono balls if you email them. I plan to go this route when my arms need replacement. __________________ IG:ruhrohz_m3 Journal: Link E9x ZCP Suspension Info: Link Track Chat Discord: https://discord.gg/VsKbTyqBVj SF Bay Area: DM For coding services
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-26-2019, 03:33 PM	#40
DRLane Brigadier General 3983 Rep 3,407 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Colorado iTrader: (21) Garage List 2008 m3 [6.63]	Fair point if you're already replacing the thrust arms! The $25 is indicative of the 5 minutes it takes to press each bearing in. Either way, great modification. Strongly recommend GAS to anyone considering. __________________ Not a Doctor, those are just my initials.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-02-2020, 06:51 PM	#42
Redd Brigadier General 3894 Rep 4,155 Posts Drives: 2010 BMW E92 M3 Dakar Edition Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Malaysia iTrader: (0)	Just installed my GAS monoballs. While all the comments above are true, the difference isn't massive. It's just a small difference. Car feels tighter and slightly more responsive. It's definitely stiffer, maybe about 10%. But I did not notice any additional harshness, which is a good thing (and I have bad roads here). Basically it feels like I tightened up my Ohlins dampers one more click. Hopefully it will last longer than the stock bushings. Otherwise it may not be a worthwhile mod for daily drivers.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-17-2020, 07:27 PM	#44
Redd Brigadier General 3894 Rep 4,155 Posts Drives: 2010 BMW E92 M3 Dakar Edition Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Malaysia iTrader: (0)	I started to notice a single loud 'clack' noise from the front end when reversing the car with steering lock (eg reverse parking the car). Sounds like something metallic binding then releasing. No noise when reversing straight, or normal driving. Not sure if it's the monoballs or something else. Anyone else on monoballs notice something similar?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search