Spherical Bearing kit for the E53?

[TiAgX5]

With over 150k miles on the X I am getting ready to go thru the suspension and replace the wear items. I know spherical bearing kits are available for the Zs, 3s and 5s and was wondering if anyone might have come across in info on an E53 kit. The roads I drive are in good condition (better then the Sebring Racetrack, that place pounded my Viper to no end) and would never think of doing this upgrade if the roads I traverse were potholed and/or rutted. What's not available in sphere bearings I plan on replacing with Powerflex bushings.

[davintosh]

I know this is a bit of an old thread, but curious if you had found anything or if you pulled the trigger on the Powerflex bushings...

I had been in touch with Paul M. at Moosehead Engineering last year; he sells spherical bearing kits for e32s, e34s, e28s & e24s, and has been working on an e39, which he is guessing is the same size as the e53. I haven't heard from him on that subject for a long time; I know he's been busy lately with moving his shop, but I'm not sure if he's still moving on this or not. Maybe getting a few pings from others with e53s might encourage him to bump it up in priority.

http://mooseheadengineering.com/#!/~...065&id=5697121



Contact |

[TiAgX5]

Wow, thanks!

I put that out there around 1.5 yrs ago. I plan on going thru the suspension in the next few months.

I found Powerflex overpriced for what they provide (molded plastic). Moosehead Engineering gear makes the Powerflex stuff look like something Fred Flintstone would put on his ride!!!

This is EXACTLY what i gave up looking for over a yr ago.

Many thanks for this find.

[davintosh]

No problemo. Happy to help, if for slightly selfish reasons; I'd like a set too!

I don't know how worn mine are, but I don't like the feel of the steering when going over bumps in the X5, so I know I should do something with them soon. But if I'm going to the trouble of changing them, I'd much rather do it right.

[TiAgX5]

So true. Do it right and you do it once!

I like this set-up, sphere play is adjustable and full on Zerk fittings (2 pumps of grease while the X is on ramps during each oil change).

ZERO stiction (static friction) and deflection, so ride/handling improves

[davintosh]

As for grease, it looks like the zerks are used to fill the assembled bushings, but since they are on the barrel of the bushing, they need to come out before the bushings get pressed in, which makes greasing them regularly a bit of a problem. I don't think that detracts from them at all though; they seem to be sealed well to minimize grease contamination/loss, plus the end play is adjustable as the Nylatron inserts wear, and there seems to be very little wear on them; I've heard from Paul and several others running these bushings who haven't noticed any wear after 20,000 miles.

Read through the install instructions for more info on the grease: Moosehead Engineering Spherical Joint assembly instructions |

Greasing the joint
While the joint is out, you can use a grease gun to grease the joint. Simply screw in the Zerk fitting and add grease until it won’t take any more or until it starts to squeeze past the races. Now remove the fitting and place it in a drawer somewhere and forget about it. You won’t need it again for a long time. I have been asked if it is possible to drill the arm to allow the joint to be greased without removal. While this is technically possible, I do not recommend it. If you do so, you do it at your own risk.

[Green Dragon]

Subscribed! This is why I love you guys.

[TiAgX5]

I will no doubt be drilling/tapping the arms and installing fittings, to allow re-greasing without removal.