E90 Thrust Arm torque settings

I just bought 2 new thrust arms (tension struts) for my 2006 330i (e90). I have the Haynes manual (which is just short of expensive fire starter paper) and it is saying that the ball joint torque setting is 122 ft lbs. This seems insanely high! Its saying the bushing nut torque setting is either 50 ft lbs plus 90 deg or 74 ft lbs plus 90 deg, depending on the nut grade.

Does anyone have a bentley or manufacturer manual that can confirm these settings?

I don't have a manual, but I've googled some fragments of bentley manuals. As far as I can gather, that does seem insanely high. Typical numbers seem to be < 80 ft lbs.

I am, of course, not a mechanic.

I guess it's dumb to ask, but that number isn't actually 122 NM, right?

Originally Posted by Squidget

I don't have a manual, but I've googled some fragments of bentley manuals. As far as I can gather, that does seem insanely high. Typical numbers seem to be < 80 ft lbs.

I am, of course, not a mechanic.

I guess it's dumb to ask, but that number isn't actually 122 NM, right?

No, its not dumb to ask. It does say 122 ft lbs, (165 NM) I went to spaghetti coder and looked at the TIS manuals for some earlier models (they didn't have the e90) and I did find a few models that had a 165 NM torque on the ball joint...so, I don't know. Maybe its correct.

But, I sure would like to know before I ruin a $100 part (and potentially the ball joint socket which would really SUCK!)

this may help:

http://www.engineershandbook.com/Tables/torque1.htm


personally i dont know what the torque spec is for you application, but it looks like 122 ft/lbs is plausible for the application. on the E46 if i remember correctly, the bolts were 14mm.

Tension strut to the swivel bearing (it's an M14 thread) is 165 Nm. The tension strut to the front axle support is 68 Nm plus 90 deg if it is an M12 8.8 thread or 100 Nm plus 90 deg if it's an M12 10.9 thread. I think your hex bolt is M12X1.5X115-8.8.

Originally Posted by bimmer14

I just bought 2 new thrust arms (tension struts) for my 2006 330i (e90). I have the Haynes manual (which is just short of expensive fire starter paper) and it is saying that the ball joint torque setting is 122 ft lbs. This seems insanely high! Its saying the bushing nut torque setting is either 50 ft lbs plus 90 deg or 74 ft lbs plus 90 deg, depending on the nut grade.

Does anyone have a bentley or manufacturer manual that can confirm these settings?

Thanks for the help!!

Originally Posted by bimmer14

I just bought 2 new thrust arms (tension struts) for my 2006 330i (e90). I have the Haynes manual (which is just short of expensive fire starter paper) and it is saying that the ball joint torque setting is 122 ft lbs. This seems insanely high! Its saying the bushing nut torque setting is either 50 ft lbs plus 90 deg or 74 ft lbs plus 90 deg, depending on the nut grade.

Does anyone have a bentley or manufacturer manual that can confirm these settings?

You might want this:

Appendix B - Torque Values

____________________________________ Ft Lb ________ N/M

MISCL

Wheel Lug Nuts..........................89..........120

Exhaust - forward flanges...............15...........21 - turbo engine only
Exhaust - reinforcement plate...........43.5.........59 - +90° -+30° -- 8 Torx Bolts
Exhaust - mid-pipe brace................??...........??

Exhaust hanger - differential...........26...........35 - turbo engine only
Exhaust hanger - wheel carrier..........15...........21 - turbo engine only
Exhaust hanger - rear chassis...........15...........21 - turbo engine only

M3 STRUT BRACE

Bulkhead mounting bolt...............73.75..........100
All other bolts......................25.07...........34

FRONT SUSPENSION

Sway bar end link.......................44...........60
Sway bar mount to subframe..............16...........21....M8 bolts

Tension Strut @ knuckle................122..........165
Tension Strut @ subframe................74..........100

Control Arm @ knuckle..................122..........165
Control Arm @ subframe..................74..........100

Strut Pinch Clamp.......................60...........81


REAR SUSPENSION

Brake line to hose.......................9...........12

Sway bar end link.......................42.7.........58
Sway bar mount to subframe..............16...........21....M8 bolts

Rear subframe bushings..................73.7........100

Upper Control Arm @ bearing carrier.....73.7........100....+90°
Upper Control Arm @ subframe............73.7........100

Guide Arm @ bearing carrier.............73.7........100....+90°
Guide Arm @ subframe....................73.7........100

Camber Arm @ bearing carrier...........121.6........165
Camber Arm @ subframe..................121.6........165

Toe link @ bearing carrier..............73.7........100
Toe link @ subframe.....................73.7........100

-------------------------------------------------------

Thanks Calwaterboy.

Quick question. On that Tension strut at subframe. Is it 74 ft. lbs. plus 90 deg or just the tourque of 74 ft lbs? My Haynes and the Bentley had 74 or 50 + 90 deg (depending on bolt grade), BUT your TIM may be a more current revision...

Originally Posted by bimmer14

Quick question. On that Tension strut at subframe. Is it 74 ft. lbs. plus 90 deg or just the tourque of 74 ft lbs? My Haynes and the Bentley had 74 or 50 + 90 deg (depending on bolt grade), BUT your TIM may be a more current revision...

The only suspension bolts needing torque plus angle are at the [rear] bearing carrier.

Spec is: Tighten to torque, then turn add'l angle ammt.

Excellent tool: CLICK HERE -- 1/2" does better at suspension torque values


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