BMW 1 Series Coupe Forum / 1 Series Convertible Forum (1M / tii / 135i / 128i / Coupe / Cabrio / Hatchback) (BMW E82 E88 128i 130i 135i)
 





 

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      08-13-2019, 10:18 PM   #1
houtan
Colonel
houtan's Avatar
701
Rep
2,430
Posts

Drives: 2011 135i
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: socal

iTrader: (17)

Garage List
2011 135i  [9.80]
Rear upper m3 arms hitting chassis

Has anyone run into this issue? I recently switched out my dinan rear shock mounts to akg black mounts to reduce the suspension travel in the rear. Initially it was to prevent the passenger rear tire from hitting the fuel filler neck.

After a few canyon runs the issue appeared to be fixed...until I started working on my rear brakes last weekend. Not only is the tire still hitting the fuel filler neck, but my rear m3 arms are hitting the chassis. Has anyone else run into this problem with rear m3 arms?

I have some suspension “packers “ (picture below) someone told me about in a different thread. I guess I need to insert one to reduce travel a little more and see how things are but I am really curious if anyone else has run into this and what you did to resolve it.

It’s possible this was occurring with the dinan mounts and I didn’t notice. However, after seeing the tire is still hitting the fuel filter neck, I am still suffering from too much suspension travel, so it’s possible the upper m3 arm contacting the chassis is still occurring with the akg mounts as well.

Rear suspension setup: m3 upper arms, m3 lower camber arm, m3 TC Kline DA rear shocks, 600lb TC springs, toe arms, white line rsfb.

Would love to hear other people’s experiences.
Attached Images
    

Last edited by houtan; 08-14-2019 at 12:53 AM..
Appreciate 0
      08-14-2019, 06:20 AM   #2
1and1
Loves me some MHD!
1and1's Avatar
United_States
1852
Rep
1,711
Posts

Drives: faster than he should...
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Tally, FL

iTrader: (2)

Garage List
'09 135i  [10.00]
Almost looks like the bump stops are too short...
__________________
1and1
135i - E82.N54 2009 BSM - MHD / xHP / DCI, PR CP & 7.5" Race IC / N55 mid & Borla
. . WL RSFI, Koni, Eibach & Dinan CP's, M3 CA's / EBC Red's & Firehawk 500's
X1 - E84.N20 2013 MGM - JB4 - The Wife's, now with new turbo & ewg
Appreciate 1
Dackelone10511.00
      08-14-2019, 08:56 AM   #3
ShocknAwe
1Addict
ShocknAwe's Avatar
3200
Rep
7,859
Posts

Drives: E82 Mutt, M57 Truck
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Charleston

iTrader: (22)

Are they upside down? Can't remember which arm back there is installed the other way.
__________________
2010 135i 6MT Jet Black
N54/3 FE82 Mutt | BUILD THREAD | GARAGE SALE
Appreciate 0
      08-14-2019, 09:01 AM   #4
gjm120
Colonel
2182
Rep
2,805
Posts

Drives: 2013 128i, 2021 230i
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: East Texas

iTrader: (1)

^^
They are handed. Someone else on here (not me honest) had a professional shop install them wrong.
__________________
E82 / BMWP Springs / Koni Yellows / M front control arms / Adjustable front endlinks / M rear guide rods / Whiteline Poly RSFB
Appreciate 1
Dackelone10511.00
      08-14-2019, 09:30 AM   #5
gjm120
Colonel
2182
Rep
2,805
Posts

Drives: 2013 128i, 2021 230i
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: East Texas

iTrader: (1)

From this thread....

https://www.1addicts.com/forums/show....php?t=1079383


The M3 Guide Rod is forged aluminum with inboard ball joint and outboard rubber bushing. The forged bodies of the LH and RH arms are identical but installation of the bushings makes them handed. The bodies are curved (downward), not for installation clearance issues, but to ensure that the compressive failure of this member will be by progressive bending. The ball joint used at the inboard location effectively doubles the stiffness and halves the deflection under axial loading versus the OE Guide Rod, which will alter (and presumably decrease) compliance steer effects.

Also from post #72 is discussion about wrong installation.
__________________
E82 / BMWP Springs / Koni Yellows / M front control arms / Adjustable front endlinks / M rear guide rods / Whiteline Poly RSFB
Appreciate 0
      08-14-2019, 11:08 AM   #6
dtla1
Colonel
dtla1's Avatar
826
Rep
2,232
Posts

Drives: 2011 135i, Space Grey
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Silicon Valley

iTrader: (2)

Very interesting. I just got a set of replacement rear arms that I was about to install as well. And I have almost the same setup as you, except I'm using the 135 rear shock and camber arm not the M3 one.

I'm also using the stiffer Monroe upper shock mount, not sure how it's dimensions compare to the AKG ones though.

How low is your car?
Appreciate 0
      08-14-2019, 03:07 PM   #7
houtan
Colonel
houtan's Avatar
701
Rep
2,430
Posts

Drives: 2011 135i
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: socal

iTrader: (17)

Garage List
2011 135i  [9.80]
Thanks for the posts.

@shocknawe, I am 99% sure they are not installed updside down. But anything is possible and it wouldn't be the first time I did something wrong! Based on the fe1rx link, I have mine installed just as the picture in his op.

gjm120, I believe the excerpt you posted is for the guide rod, which gets mounted curve side down, but points angled forward sort of. The arm in my pictures that is making contact to the chassis is the wishbone, I believe that should be mounted with the curve side up, which is how I have it.

@dtla, My car is not that low imo, but the best way to tell the ride height is to look at the pictures in my "garage". My guess is I have a half to one finger gap in the rear.

@1and1, I do think the bump stop may be to short and I need to add one or two packers to limit travel.

Last edited by houtan; 08-14-2019 at 03:46 PM..
Appreciate 2
duder13767.00
ShocknAwe3200.00
      08-14-2019, 03:32 PM   #8
duder13
Captain
duder13's Avatar
767
Rep
904
Posts

Drives: Cashmere
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: US

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by houtan View Post
Thanks for the posts.

I am 99% sure they are not installed updside down. Based on the fe1rx link, I have mine installed just as the picture in his op.

The excerpt gjm120 posted is for the guide rod, which is gets mounted curve down, but points angled forward sort of. The arm in my pictures that is making contact to the chassis is the wishbone, I believe that should be mounted with the curve side up, which is how I have it.

My car is not that low imo, but the best way to tell the ride height is to look at the pictures in my "garage". My guess is I have a half to one finger gap in the rear.

I do think the bump stop may be to short and I need to add one or two packers to limit travel.
Yeah, every pick I've seen also shows the guide rod curve down and wishbone curve up.

Another consideration is that maybe you have things switched and have the guide rods in the wishbone spot???

As a last resort, you could always consider going back to the stock 135i wishbone that is straight. It has the same bushing/bearing setup as the M3 version, so the only performance penalty is just a little extra weight from the steel vs. aluminum.

Last edited by duder13; 08-14-2019 at 03:39 PM..
Appreciate 0
      08-14-2019, 03:53 PM   #9
gjm120
Colonel
2182
Rep
2,805
Posts

Drives: 2013 128i, 2021 230i
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: East Texas

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by houtan View Post
Thanks for the posts.

@shocknawe, I am 99% sure they are not installed updside down. But anything is possible and it wouldn't be the first time I did something wrong! Based on the fe1rx link, I have mine installed just as the picture in his op.

gjm120, I believe the excerpt you posted is for the guide rod, which gets mounted curve side down, but points angled forward sort of. The arm in my pictures that is making contact to the chassis is the wishbone, I believe that should be mounted with the curve side up, which is how I have it.

@dtla, My car is not that low imo, but the best way to tell the ride height is to look at the pictures in my "garage". My guess is I have a half to one finger gap in the rear.

@1and1, I do think the bump stop may be to short and I need to add one or two packers to limit travel.
Yes - it was the guide rod. It is curved downward and the way to tell right from left is what end the bushing or bearing is on. FWIW I think the guide rod is most improvement for the money/effort.
__________________
E82 / BMWP Springs / Koni Yellows / M front control arms / Adjustable front endlinks / M rear guide rods / Whiteline Poly RSFB
Appreciate 0
      08-15-2019, 05:12 PM   #10
ShocknAwe
1Addict
ShocknAwe's Avatar
3200
Rep
7,859
Posts

Drives: E82 Mutt, M57 Truck
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Charleston

iTrader: (22)

Quote:
Originally Posted by houtan View Post
Thanks for the posts.

@shocknawe, I am 99% sure they are not installed updside down. But anything is possible and it wouldn't be the first time I did something wrong! Based on the fe1rx link, I have mine installed just as the picture in his op.

gjm120, I believe the excerpt you posted is for the guide rod, which gets mounted curve side down, but points angled forward sort of. The arm in my pictures that is making contact to the chassis is the wishbone, I believe that should be mounted with the curve side up, which is how I have it.

@dtla, My car is not that low imo, but the best way to tell the ride height is to look at the pictures in my "garage". My guess is I have a half to one finger gap in the rear.

@1and1, I do think the bump stop may be to short and I need to add one or two packers to limit travel.
Went back and double checked, you have it correct. At least up vs down.

I remember it being pretty damned hard to install them backwards as they are handed.
__________________
2010 135i 6MT Jet Black
N54/3 FE82 Mutt | BUILD THREAD | GARAGE SALE
Appreciate 0
      08-16-2019, 08:41 AM   #11
houtan
Colonel
houtan's Avatar
701
Rep
2,430
Posts

Drives: 2011 135i
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: socal

iTrader: (17)

Garage List
2011 135i  [9.80]
Thanks for double checking.

I discovered something interesting yesterday afternoon. So I jacked up the passenger side suspension to mimic being on the ground and took some measurements. It seems the amount of suspension travel I have is equal to the amount of space between the wishbone and chassis. So once the bump stop starts to compress the camber arm would be touching the chassis.
Attached Images
  
Appreciate 0
      08-21-2019, 11:07 AM   #12
houtan
Colonel
houtan's Avatar
701
Rep
2,430
Posts

Drives: 2011 135i
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: socal

iTrader: (17)

Garage List
2011 135i  [9.80]
Finally got everything back together.

Here are the packers I used, which are 17mm ID and the same as the one that came with the shock. https://performanceshock.com/index.p...oducts_id=1127

They are an 1/8" thick, so I started with adding three more to each side. I am guessing that leaves me with around 3/4 of suspension travel. Going to drive around like this for a few thousand miles. If there is no contact, I may remove one.
Attached Images
 
Appreciate 1
ShocknAwe3200.00
      08-22-2019, 09:03 AM   #13
bbnks2
Colonel
1207
Rep
2,025
Posts

Drives: 135i N55
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: NY

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by houtan View Post
Finally got everything back together.

Here are the packers I used, which are 17mm ID and the same as the one that came with the shock. https://performanceshock.com/index.p...oducts_id=1127

They are an 1/8" thick, so I started with adding three more to each side. I am guessing that leaves me with around 3/4 of suspension travel. Going to drive around like this for a few thousand miles. If there is no contact, I may remove one.
Seems odd to be contacting the chassis unless TCkline packaged/matched the struts, bump stops, and spring rates poorly. I have about 2-2.25" of bump travel and don't have this issue lol. The fact that you are contacting the upper wheel well means you have too much bump travel though.

Are the TC Kline struts adjustable (threaded body)? To solve the contact issue without sacrificing bump travel, I would raise rear ride height 3/8" with spring pre-load, turn the dampers up 1-click to compensate, and then make the strut body longer by 1/4" or so. If changing the strut length isn't an option then use the packers or look for a better/longer/stiffer bump stop.

Remember that the contact point between the wishbone and chassis is inboard from the strut. The wishbone will not travel in 1:1 fashion with strut travel. Motion ratio... If you have 1-2" travel at the strut then the wishbone may only move something like 3/4-1.5." Looks like TCKline is using very tall stock style "spring supporters." You may only have 1" of travel until you get into the bump stop but the bump stop probably compresses another 3/4-1" under load. The evidence of contact is clear but maybe something just got jammed up between there?

Can you jack the entire rear-end up, then use another jack to jack up one tire until you get into the bump stop (full compression)? Then take another pic? I can do the same tonight and see where I end up with the M3 subframe.

Last edited by bbnks2; 08-23-2019 at 11:47 AM..
Appreciate 2
dtla1826.00
Dackelone10511.00
      08-23-2019, 11:31 AM   #14
dtla1
Colonel
dtla1's Avatar
826
Rep
2,232
Posts

Drives: 2011 135i, Space Grey
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Silicon Valley

iTrader: (2)

Quote:
Originally Posted by bbnks2 View Post
Seems odd to be contacting the chassis unless TCkline packaged/matched the struts, bump stops, and spring rates poorly. I have about 2-2.25" of bump travel and don't have this issue lol. The fact that you are contacting the upper wheel well means you have too much bump travel.

Are the TC Kline struts adjustable (threaded body)? To solve the contact issue without sacrificing bump travel, I would raise rear ride height 3/8" with spring pre-load, turn the dampers up 1-click to compensate, and then make the strut body longer by 1/4" or so. If changing the strut length isn't an option then use the packers or look for a better/longer/stiffer bump stop.

Remember that the contact point between the wishbone and chassis is inboard from the strut. The wishbone will not travel in 1:1 fashion with strut travel. Motion ratio... If you have 1-2" travel at the strut then the wishbone may only move something like 3/4-1.5." Looks like TCKline is using very tall stock style "spring supporters." You may only have 1" of travel until you get into the bump stop but the bump stop probably compresses another 3/4-1" under load. The evidence of contact is clear but maybe something just got jammed up between there?

Can you jack the entire rear-end up, then use another jack to jack up one tire until you get into the bump stop (full compression)? Then take another pic? I can do the same tonight and see where I end up with the M3 subframe.
IIRC, Houtan is also running the rear M3 shocks using the M lower control arm, I wonder if those shocks are shorter for some reason.
Appreciate 0
      08-23-2019, 11:46 AM   #15
bbnks2
Colonel
1207
Rep
2,025
Posts

Drives: 135i N55
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: NY

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by dtla1 View Post
IIRC, Houtan is also running the rear M3 shocks using the M lower control arm, I wonder if those shocks are shorter for some reason.
Yeah maybe using the M3 struts with the stock sub-frame might make a small difference causing the interference.
Appreciate 0
      08-23-2019, 12:31 PM   #16
houtan
Colonel
houtan's Avatar
701
Rep
2,430
Posts

Drives: 2011 135i
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: socal

iTrader: (17)

Garage List
2011 135i  [9.80]
Thanks for the replies

dtla1, yeah you are right, I am running the m3 lca.

bbnks2, I plan to look at where everything is at when the bump stop is engaged, but I would need to remove my rear spring and I didn’t have time. In truth, I got Falken azenis 615+ tires mounted like three weeks ago and I just want to go drive lol. So I put it back together with the added Packers.

I did take a picture of the travel with the suspension fully unloaded and I believe the amount of travel was more than three inches. Is that what you are referring to as bump travel?

Appreciate the insight into the travel between the shock and arm is not 1 to 1.

The TC Kline shock bodies are not threaded unfortunately. Just the spring perches are adjustable. Turner makes an upper mount that is adjustable, but i don’t think it works with the size of the TC shaft.

I wish it was something that was stuck between the arm and body causing the contact, but I can clearly see where it is hitting. One side directly in the arm and the other side on the break sensor wire bracket.
Attached Images
 

Last edited by houtan; 08-23-2019 at 12:38 PM..
Appreciate 0
      08-23-2019, 05:08 PM   #17
bbnks2
Colonel
1207
Rep
2,025
Posts

Drives: 135i N55
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: NY

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by houtan View Post
Thanks for the replies

dtla1, yeah you are right, I am running the m3 lca.

bbnks2, I plan to look at where everything is at when the bump stop is engaged, but I would need to remove my rear spring and I didn’t have time. In truth, I got Falken azenis 615+ tires mounted like three weeks ago and I just want to go drive lol. So I put it back together with the added Packers.

I did take a picture of the travel with the suspension fully unloaded and I believe the amount of travel was more than three inches. Is that what you are referring to as bump travel?

Appreciate the insight into the travel between the shock and arm is not 1 to 1.

The TC Kline shock bodies are not threaded unfortunately. Just the spring perches are adjustable. Turner makes an upper mount that is adjustable, but i don’t think it works with the size of the TC shaft.

I wish it was something that was stuck between the arm and body causing the contact, but I can clearly see where it is hitting. One side directly in the arm and the other side on the break sensor wire bracket.
Bump/jounce travel refers to the distance between static ride height and full compression. I have about 2" of bump travel and 1.5" of droop travel. Not exact numbers because I had just had the wheel compressed so I dont think it was settled perfectly. To find your bump/droop I would do what I did below... at static ride height, measure the distance between the bottom of the wheel lip and the wheel well. Then put something 3-4" tall under the tire so the wheel Carrys most of the weight of the car. Now measure the distance again... that's your bump travel. Multiple that by .7 or so and that should be pretty close to your strut travel in bump. Then jack the car off the gorund and measure again... difference between static and full droop is your droop travel. You may possibly have very little droop travel... with numbers we can speculate further as to what's different... I'll also measure my strut length for comparison.

I put two bricks under my tire to fully compress the suspension into the bump stop. I have quite a bit of clearance between the wishbone and the chassis still. See below. I have an adjustable arm in place of the m3 whishbone but that shouldn't make much difference anywhere near what you're seeing.

I sit at like 4.5" of ground clearance to the bottom of the rear side skirt. How low do you sit? Seems really odd the arm would ever hit the chassis there... my diff would be dragging on the ground if the rear squated that much lol


Last edited by bbnks2; 09-03-2019 at 07:16 AM..
Appreciate 1
Dackelone10511.00
      08-23-2019, 06:19 PM   #18
Dackelone
European Editor
Dackelone's Avatar
Germany
10511
Rep
22,992
Posts

Drives: N54 e82
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Bayern, Germany

iTrader: (1)

OP your M3 arms looked to be installed correctly. Upper arm should bend upward with the forward link should bend downwards. Here are pics from my 135i.


Name:  20190601_202510.jpg
Views: 900
Size:  104.7 KB

Name:  20190601_202522.jpg
Views: 872
Size:  119.4 KB

Name:  20190603_201500.jpg
Views: 854
Size:  133.3 KB

Name:  1 M3 Exploded View.jpg
Views: 1003
Size:  89.1 KB

Name:  e9x_bush.jpg
Views: 872
Size:  70.5 KB


I think your problem is with your bump stops. On the upper spring perch.. there should be a rubber bump stop to prevent the car from bottoming out.


Have you tested IF your rear shocks are blown out? Try compressing the shock off the car. This could be the cause.

IDK about those plastic spacers on the shock body. Looks sketchy to me.

As for your tire rubbing on the RR... I would buy a set of 5mm or 7mm spacers for the wheel WITH new bolts. $100. 10mms will rub.

Dackel
Appreciate 0
      08-23-2019, 07:52 PM   #19
bbnks2
Colonel
1207
Rep
2,025
Posts

Drives: 135i N55
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: NY

iTrader: (0)

Yeah I think hes already got the solution. Packers are fine. It's more of a question of why... I was thinking of moving to m3 spec struts since I have the m3 rear end. I reused my stock camber arms and struts for now. If I'm going to have too much bump travel with m3 struts then that's an issue lol.
Appreciate 0
      08-24-2019, 09:32 PM   #20
houtan
Colonel
houtan's Avatar
701
Rep
2,430
Posts

Drives: 2011 135i
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: socal

iTrader: (17)

Garage List
2011 135i  [9.80]
So here are the measurements from the bottom of my wheel to bottom of fender. These are with the packers installed which reduced travel 3/8”.

Static height: 22.5”
Compressed: 21”
Off the ground: 26.25

My rear rocker is about 6” off the ground. That’s from the actual rocker not the little rock protector/mini mud flap thingy.

My wishbone clearance looks like yours now. I actually went on a canyon run today and drive really hard. No issue with the arm to chassis Contact. So I am really happy about that. I love my new tires too.

Last edited by houtan; 08-25-2019 at 01:39 AM..
Appreciate 0
      08-24-2019, 09:44 PM   #21
houtan
Colonel
houtan's Avatar
701
Rep
2,430
Posts

Drives: 2011 135i
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: socal

iTrader: (17)

Garage List
2011 135i  [9.80]
Thanks dack. I am currently running a 3mm spacer and that is the absolute max that would work . I posted some pictures in the fuel filler thread. I literally have zero extra space on either the inner and outer fender.

I don’t think anything is blown so that’s good.


Even if a 10mm spacer could fit , it probably wouldn’t fix the rubbing issue. I removed my spring and shock and checked for myself. It’s going to rub either way. So limiting travel seems like a great solution. Especially since I didn’t have this problem with B8
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:44 PM.




1addicts
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST