Strut Bearing & Strut Mount - worth changing?

[SMOKEY53]

Hi guys

I'm about to throw in my Bilsteins after waiting nearly 2 months for them to turn up from Zee Germans.

My X has 115kms on it, or 70 thousand miles approx. The shocks are gone, but the suspension is quiet, no real issues.

My question is, is it worth changing the front strut bearings and the strut mounts while I'm in there? Or if it ain't broke, don't need to fix it.

Referring to parts 1 and the small ring in part of 6 in this diagram....anything else I should consider?




Thanks

[4.8isX5]

Yes just change them while you are in there so you wont be repeating the job later on for just these minor parts.

I know on my 4.8is with the air struts its not setup this way or probably built into it..

But on the dozen+ other cars i have done suspensions on ive always changed these if they were there.

[ants_oz]

They're only strut caps, they won't be expensive. And they are also a bonded rubber/metal component, so you never know when they are going to cry "Enough!".

Do them while you have the front-end apart.

And be prepared to buy new bump stops too.

[SMOKEY53]

Thanks guys

I figured as much. All up those parts combined will run under $150 which is a small fraction of the total exercise so I will just replace them as suggested.

Unfortunately, those prices are for Febest brand.....which I've not been able to find a lot of info on. OEM parts are considerably more.....rats

Anthony, the Billies have internal bump stops so that's one thing I don't have to do! On the front at least.

[kgbboris]

youll be amaze dat the difference with new bearings and tops. we replace them on cars and vans and the difference on turning friction is night and day even though before changing them they seemed fine, always give the customer the choice. normally its a no but when they do its worth the extra expense.

[cn90]

On the long run, you save money because soon or later the top bearing goes (around 90K miles or so). Plus you save alignment cost.

I don't have the DIY for X5, but I wrote a very detailed DIY Front Suspension Overhaul for my 1998 528i below.

DIY: 1998 BMW 528i COMPLETE FRONT SUSPENSION OVERHAUL - Bimmerfest - BMW Forums

[crystalworks]

Agree with the "change it while in there" mentality. Doing this exact job on our 325i vert last night and today (stupid made in China spring compressors cracked). While I am in there I'm going to change the strut insert as I don't want to do this again for another 100,000 miles.

[SMOKEY53]

Ok thanks guys - plan to order a combo of OEM front strut bearings and Lemforder strut mounts front and rear. Also getting the OEM gaskets, because why not.

Best compromise of quality and price I think......an extra $300USD +shipping to Australia on the cost of the shocks/springs. Starts to make KW V3 Coiloivers look pretty attractive......


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Bmwtvboy]

Definitely. Change it and know this: If you are replacing front shocks with B heavy duty you will incur a stiffer ride. Sachs OEm maintain factory ride with 18"sport wheels.

[SMOKEY53]

Thanks. Just realised I need dust boots as well most likely.

Not sure if these are HD - the kit is put together by Bilstein and valved to match the Eibach springs. Time will tell. Can't be worse than the pogo stick ride I am suffering through at the moment!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk