Future Classic Trailing arm bearings/ Worth it?!?!

[Atomicteal_M3]

Looking to replace my trailing arm bushings on my 08 E90. Does anybody have any experience with the future classic trailing arm bearings? I'm replacing all bearings/bushings on my car since I plan on keeping it forever. Do you think it's worth the $275 or just simply replace with the $25 OEM bushings? The car is not a heavily tracked but may see an occasional event here or there.

https://ind-distribution.com/product...rm-bearing-set

[tdott]

Interesting, that doesn't look like a custom piece. It looks more like an e36/e46 rear ball joint. I wonder if they figured out it was the same or one with the right size. They are usually fairly cheap.

[pbonsalb]

I was thinking the same thing. Same as the “monoballs” Dinan and others sell as front strut rod bushings with custom machines holders. Ordinary lemforder parts, but I do think those lemforder ball joints come in a various sizes so I am not sure the original application here was the E36 M3 rear outer control arm bushing.

[Snertz]

Pretty overpriced. The bearing is the same size as the one in the arm of BMW PN 33326777980. See here: https://www.1addicts.com/forums/show....php?t=1615006

The bearings are available standalone as either Lemforder 3067901 or Meyle 3147100005, full set of 4 for ~$75.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...ing-3147100005

[Redd]

Originally Posted by Snertz

Pretty overpriced. The bearing is the same size as the one in the arm of BMW PN 33326777980. See here: https://www.1addicts.com/forums/show....php?t=1615006

The bearings are available standalone as either Lemforder 3067901 or Meyle 3147100005, full set of 4 for ~$75.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...ing-3147100005

Yes I was doing my own research on this and arrived at the same conclusion. The Meyle bearings are $18 a piece from FCP and come with lifetime warranty. No brainer.

[Atomicteal_M3]

Originally Posted by Snertz

Pretty overpriced. The bearing is the same size as the one in the arm of BMW PN 33326777980. See here: https://www.1addicts.com/forums/show....php?t=1615006

The bearings are available standalone as either Lemforder 3067901 or Meyle 3147100005, full set of 4 for ~$75.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...ing-3147100005

Thanks for the info. $18 x 4 sounds a hell of a lot better than $275!

[derbo]

Originally Posted by Snertz

Pretty overpriced. The bearing is the same size as the one in the arm of BMW PN 33326777980. See here: https://www.1addicts.com/forums/show....php?t=1615006

The bearings are available standalone as either Lemforder 3067901 or Meyle 3147100005, full set of 4 for ~$75.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...ing-3147100005

Are they actually the same size? It looks like everyone has some sort of adapter fitting to put it in.

[pbonsalb]

Or spacer?

[Redd]

Originally Posted by derbo

Are they actually the same size? It looks like everyone has some sort of adapter fitting to put it in.

They are same size. Inner diameter is 12mm. Outer diameter of both Meyle/Lemforder are 45mm, same as BW (I checked). There might be a 1mm difference in width - stock BMW rubber RTAB shows 47mm, whereas Meyle/Lemforder is 48mm - but I think that's manageable.

[Redd]

The Meyle/Lemforder bearings are also same size as the rubber bushes on the outboard end of the rear guide rod and rear wishbone, if you wanna go full spherical. But those require a custom tapered washer cos the mounting face on the hub isn't flat.

See vtl's post halfway done the page:
https://www.1addicts.com/forums/show...1615006&page=3

He even provides CAD drawings for the custom washers. These 1er guys are pretty hardcore.

[Atomicteal_M3]

Originally Posted by Redd

The Meyle/Lemforder bearings are also same size as the rubber bushes on the outboard end of the rear guide rod and rear wishbone, if you wanna go full spherical. But those require a custom tapered washer cos the mounting face on the hub isn't flat.

See vtl's post halfway done the page:
https://www.1addicts.com/forums/show...006&page=3

But a competent performance shop that is used to pressing in/out bushings should be able to push the meyle bearings into my rear trailing arms?

[Redd]

Originally Posted by Atomicteal_M3

But a competent performance shop that is used to pressing in/out bushings should be able to push the meyle bearings into my rear trailing arms?

For the rear trailing arms, the bearings go into the subframe and the wheel hub, not the arm itself. But yes, any competent shop shd be able to do it if they have bearing pushers. Best to ask first tho cos u definitely don't wanna drop the whole subframe to push in two small bearings.

[Atomicteal_M3]

Originally Posted by Redd

For the rear trailing arms, the bearings go into the subframe and the wheel hub, not the arm itself. But yes, any competent shop shd be able to do it if they have bearing pushers. Best to ask first tho cos u definitely don't wanna drop the whole subframe to push in two small bearings.

Well that's just a part. I'm also replacing subframe bushings & rear diff bushings.

[Redd]

Originally Posted by Atomicteal_M3

Well that's just a part. I'm also replacing subframe bushings & rear diff bushings.

Perfect time to do the RTAB together then.

[derbo]

Originally Posted by Redd

The Meyle/Lemforder bearings are also same size as the rubber bushes on the outboard end of the rear guide rod and rear wishbone, if you wanna go full spherical. But those require a custom tapered washer cos the mounting face on the hub isn't flat.

See vtl's post halfway done the page:
https://www.1addicts.com/forums/show...1615006&page=3

He even provides CAD drawings for the custom washers. These 1er guys are pretty hardcore.

I remember reading alot from that thread's OP posts too. Looks like the custom washer also was made to be 4.5mm and they pushed the bearing in 3mm to accomodate.

[nrubenstein]

I’m just going to note that you want the lemfoerder, not the Meyle bearings.

[Atomicteal_M3]

Originally Posted by nrubenstein

I'm just going to note that you want the lemfoerder, not the Meyle bearings.

Did you have a bad experience with Meyle?

[Redd]

Originally Posted by nrubenstein

I’m just going to note that you want the lemfoerder, not the Meyle bearings.

Any reason? VTL on 1addicts told me the same thing but I noted that the Meyle bearings he used had a black casing, whereas the Meyle units FCP sells have a stainless steel casing. Also, FCP is known to only sell decent OEM parts which they backup with a lifetime warranty. That's makes me a bit more willing to try out the Meyle from FCP.

[Atomicteal_M3]

Originally Posted by Redd

Any reason? VTL on 1addicts told me the same thing but I noted that the Meyle bearings he used had a black casing, whereas the Meyle units FCP sells have a stainless steel casing. Also, FCP is known to only sell decent OEM parts which they backup with a lifetime warranty. That's makes me a bit more willing to try out the Meyle from FCP.

Perhaps the fcp euro stainless steel casings are the updated versions?: I placed a order. I plan on having them installed into my subframe to replace my old trailing arm bushings next month along with subframe bushings and new differential bushings as well.

[Redd]

Originally Posted by Atomicteal_M3

Perhaps the fcp euro stainless steel casings are the updated versions?: I placed a order. I plan on having them installed into my subframe to replace my old trailing arm bushings next month along with subframe bushings and new differential bushings as well.

Do let us know your progress.

[Atomicteal_M3]

Originally Posted by Redd

Do let us know your progress.

Will do

[nrubenstein]

Originally Posted by Atomicteal_M3

Did you have a bad experience with Meyle?

Meyle HD parts are usually OK. Regular Meyle parts are generally much more cheaply made than Lemfoerder. Lemfoerder is an OE BMW supplier, Meyle is not. Have I had crappy experiences with Meyle parts? 100%.

I personally like the Meyle HD swaybar links for many BMWs. And the HD rear shock mounts. Meyle control arms have sucked.

My rule of thumb is that I'll use them where it makes sense, but not where it's difficult to service. Rear suspension bushings qualify as difficult to service.

And I love FCP, but just because they sell something doesn't mean it's actually good. It just means that they don't get so many returns that they feel compelled to drop it. How many people are actually going to spend the money to ship a cheap bushing back?