From digest.v7.n1113 Wed Feb 11 05:16:58 1998
From: Jason Leung <jleung20_at_flash.net>
Date: Wed, 11 Feb 1998 00:23:02 -0600
Subject: Re: replacing E36 suspension parts

Edwin writes:

>I will be upgrading my 1992 325is stock suspension soon. I will be
>replacing the springs, shocks, and possibly the sway bars as well. I am
>wondering if I should replace anything else related to the suspension that
>may be worn (the car has aprox. 50K miles), since I will be spending quite
>a bit of money in labor dismounting and mounting the suspension components.
>
>I will appreciate any comments or suggestions.

Edwin, I just finished doing the same thing to my 80K mile 325i, and may I suggest also replacing:

1. rear shock mounts
2. front ball joints
3. front control arm bushing
4. Check tie rods

Your shock mounts will go bad, if not already bad at 65K miles or so, and will manifest itself as a rattling noise in the rear when you go over bumps. I did this at around 70Kmiles.

Worn front ball joints appear at maybe 65K and up, and will manifest itself in looseness of the front suspension and some clunking in the front when cresting bumps. I just did this and it made a world of difference in front suspension precision.

Front control arm bushings are one of those "might as well replace these while I'm in there" type of things....and this was recommended to me by Steve D. Mine weren't worn to the point of failure, but I figured that this would be good preventative maintenance.

You might want to check the tie rods to see if they are seized. If they are seized from rust and you can't adjust them (because you are getting your car aligned too), shoot them with a ton of WD40 or some similar product and let the stuff soak in for a day or two. If that doesn't work, you may want to replace them. (I did this.)

Jason Leung
92 325iK
Windy City Chapter