Solving the E34 540's front shaking issues | Front suspension maintenance

[@dogger2186]

Did a great job, most IMPORTANT part of this is to make sure that you preload the car front and rear at the same time so when you torque the bolts you are not ripping the OEM style bushing when the car is put under it own full load and immeditally stress the bushings twisting them. Poly Bushing are not such an issue if not perfect as they are free to rotate when torque'd

[@jalenrodriguez4733]

i’m starting to have the same shaking effect on my passenger side of my 530i (at least @ 60 mph); I just put m-parallels on it and i’m over here freaking out like “damn ik these wheels were sittin for awhile but they shouldn’t be this horrible I got’em balanced and tires are still good” thanks for the time you took to make this vid!

[@georgekern6528]

Good to see your up and at it again! You might already know but a nice bolt on upgrade is to use e31 front lower control arms. They’re aluminum with a sealed spherical bearing. Put them on my e34 and much better response. Cheers, George

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Good to be back! But this car wasn’t worthy of those for me haha. My calypso will get those when time comes for new ones

[@davidcombs8458]

For everyone’s reference, FCP Euro sells a kit for the wheel bearings with new nuts, dust covers and seals so you can get everything in one shot.

[@whiterabbetstudios]

Just the video I've been looking for! The upper control arms on my 525i are super stuck where it connects to the knuckle, hammering, pressing etc... still won't come out. Glad to see progress with yours though! :)

[@elegantascent]

glad you're recovered brother

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Thanks man!

[@DrifterAtHeart-Woocash]

Good improvement 👏, it's so satisfying to drive an e34 without shakes . Wish my White Beast would be a 6spd

[@Danky94]

I am not sure if I missed something, but no matter how hard i hit the bottom of the arm to try and free it from the knuckle, it wouldn't come out. On either side too and its a california car, its at factory ride height so im wondering if the suspension geometry is stopping it from coming out smoothly.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

@@Danky94 hit the knuckle not the arm

[@coles_infiniti]

I have a 95 525i bmw and it's been sitting for a few years and when I drive it, it shakes about 90% of the time if I'm going over 30mph and shakes like crazy when slowing down. Definitely doing all this as well. Thanks for the video bro!

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Happy to help!

[@aarondavidsmith208]

You're the man. I love you videos.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Thank you Aaron!

[@Deadmau5j]

Just did mine a few days ago . full suspension

[@amariodom4858]

i bought coil overs from a early 1990 525i already welded. but they’re going to be installed on my 1994 530i should i but the early wheel hub or late hubs thx

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Early wheel hubs are what will fit on the spindles but you have to match the abs sensors. Early-early it late-late

[@brianaust8897]

I’ve always done the lowers and uppers if doing a Refresh here..Bit your records might have shown your lower arms done recently🤷🏽‍♂️ My 740i got Lemforder lowers and Meyle HD Uppers at 120k miles and now I’m at about 180k 5 years not bad. But it’s time again..Luckily i got the parts through FCP so just have to pay shipping and free parts baby! 👍

[@travisfs7526]

13:58 I’m keen to see if my wheel bearing comes off this easy coz I’ve never seen one come off so easily here in the uk that shit is rusted tight 😂🤦🏻‍♂️

[@m3nameisjosh464]

I got lucky!

[@ЛюбомирДикий]

It is funny when you locked the break disk with screwdriver to torn of the hub nut ))) . Don't need to do thet , because the disk is thorning and the nut is stand still ! P.S. I changed my front wheel bearings 3 years ago, (don't remember the name of bearings, i believe it was MOOG), and it was new bearing, new nut and new nut cup. Hello from Ukraine, e34 - is a power ( especially 540))))

[@m3nameisjosh464]

HAHAHA I didn’t realize that!

[@francispowell1811]

Hey Josh, how have the Meyle thrust arms stood up over time?

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Not good. Went out on my blue car after about 3k miles

[@mosesaguilar7928]

@@m3nameisjosh464this what i needed to hear, had got a radiator from there on fcp euro and busted on me about 5k miles in

[@Sam-em1ic]

Is it possible to just replace the bushings and not the arms themselves?

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Would be a waste of your time imo

[@Sam-em1ic]

@@m3nameisjosh464 got it thanks. *cries in hundred dollar parts*

[@m3nameisjosh464]

@@Sam-em1ic 😭😭😭

[@truthimagination2997]

shoulda dished out the money for Lemfoerdors... *plus poly bushings.. (powerflex, i believe) Those control arms are notorious for eating bushings, and the ball joints are where the money is for that part... *did the whole suspension on my 535i e34

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Yeah I should have lol. Oh well, next time

[@r.jwilliams3173]

my e28 does that can i fit the e34 control arm with the e28

[@m3nameisjosh464]

I don’t think so

[@420catson]

my e34 shakes when im slowing down hard like getting off the freeway, is this the control arms or bearing?

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Control arm bushings or brakes are warped

[@420catson]

@@m3nameisjosh464 thanks man ive seen mixed thoughts about the solutions. it doesnt happen frequently but now i know what ill need when i get around to fixing it 🙏

[@nixorsnet]

its actually a very helpful video, thanks for that. But one question, what are those horrible rims? Jesus

[@hundrtkarjiri]

I greet you, if you already give the Meyle brand, then you only have to take Meyle HD shoulders. If I want a quality shoulder, I give Brands Lemfoerdors or Meyle HD.

[@duallipspoiler]

is it expensive to do stuff around the suspension with decent quality parts on these?

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Ehhhh yeah could get pretty pricey. A full front end kit is anywhere from $600-1000 for nice parts

[@EnriqueLopez-hb5jn]

Awesome information👆👍☝️👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@sibanesibane4790]

How many inches are those babies on your e34

[@m3nameisjosh464]

17

[@ktm5421]

My 540 can drive 80mph daily with no shaking but if i do a hard stop it’s exactly what was described so I honestly just keep driving it i was told it had new control arms so i was gonna just change the brakes but now idk lol

[@m3nameisjosh464]

The shake from control arms happens right at 55, anything more and they won't shake.

[@turtle3393]

Do get some decent goggles when your working above your head like this as two eyes and it only takes one sheared bolt. You were right under the impact area. Plus get a mechanics sheet to go under you so your not using scraps of cardboard and make it look more pro. I would not have got copy parts for this area but recognised budget is important here. Vert helpful stuff.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

I know I should😔. Thanks for reminding me to be better

[@danny3487]

Get yourself a set of ramps

[@m3nameisjosh464]

I know i need them badly lol

[@tegu9182]

great vid, could have mentioned the torque tho 🤣

[@dogger2186]

If your e34 is lowered dont go with OEM BMW control arms.....Go with after market SOLID Polyurethane bushings. Ride will be a will more stiff but not longer with the rubber surround crack and fluild leak out. Also if your e34 is lowered, over sized sway bars and has over sized rims 18"-20"..these put a lot of stress on the control arms bushing and even putting 540 arms dont last as long. Never tried the Powerflex bushings. Do yourself a favor while you are under the car, replace the upper and lower control arms, sway bar links, center tie rod, tie rod, idler arm and sway bar bushings all at the same time will really tighten up your steering