TRW-Meyle (vs Lemforder) Front Suspension

Thanks Jared!

http://eactuning.com/e39-thrust-arms...ngs-p-453.html

Just got off the phone with Jared:

TRW Thrust Arm Stock is about $105/each.
Each Bushing is about $30-35/each.
TRW Thrust Arm + HD bushing is $280 per pair or $140/each.

Basically Jared presses in the new HD bushing for free, they have a hydraulic press in their shop! Kudos to Jared!

cn90, I have a brand new driver side only Lemforder thrust arm w/o bushing which you can have for $100 plus shipping which should be minimal. Add $20 and you can have my brand new balljoint remover tool.



I was planning a DIY but my car got sold before I got around to doing it. I didn't even a chance to install those LCM chips I got from you. I will post everything in the classified section ASAP.

Jared,

On your website, re wishbone arm (Not thrust arm).
BMW PN 31121094233

You only carry Lemforder for $135.
Do you have TRW wishbone arm? Or just Lemforder?

Originally Posted by 540 M-Sport

Jared,
Probably not something you want to do, but if you could get 4 or 5 sets of used arms, then you could offer an "exhange" program when you install new bushings and ball joints and when someone orders, you charge them an extra $150 or whatever, and refund it when you get their usable/rebuildable core back.

Here's the downsides I see....

- You will be getting an arm with an unknown mileage/condition of ball joints. Your arm may or may not be in better condition than what I send you.
- If I destroy an arm I need to find a replacement. Now I just buy a new one.
- I have to deal with guys who use pickle forks, etc and may destroy the ball joint. Then I have to fight about core refunds.

The top one is my biggest fear. I'm not sure I'd want to buy an arm with unknown condition of ball joints.

Originally Posted by cn90

Jared,

On your website, re wishbone arm (Not thrust arm).
BMW PN 31121094233

You only carry Lemforder for $135.
Do you have TRW wishbone arm? Or just Lemforder?

Lemforder and Febi. In this case I'd get the Lems.

Originally Posted by cn90

Thanks Jared!

http://eactuning.com/e39-thrust-arms...ngs-p-453.html

Just got off the phone with Jared:

TRW Thrust Arm Stock is about $105/each.
Each Bushing is about $30-35/each.
TRW Thrust Arm + HD bushing is $280 per pair or $140/each.

Basically Jared presses in the new HD bushing for free, they have a hydraulic press in their shop! Kudos to Jared!

Thanks Cam! Good talking to you again buddy.

To the OP, this is the first time I'm unhappy with Autohausaz. I wanted a set of lower control arms, and they had the best price on the trws. I didn't even notice they said TRW-Meyle. I ordered a set and soon realized my mistake. I called them and asked to put a prefference for the TRWs on my order and they told me they can't do that as they send out whatever they have, TRW or Meyle. At this point I knew that there's no chance in hell I'm getting TRW when they can send out the much ****tier and cheaper turkish Meyles. I got the arms last week and I was right, Meyle. They look ok, but you can tell they're refurbished oem Arms . Live and learn. The only thing I can do is return them and take the hit on the shipping (about $50) or just install the Meyles and see how long they hold up. I did do the right decision and went with Jared's Lemf with HD bushings though. Worst case scenario I'll have to redo the lower control arms again soon .

Originally Posted by Jared@EACTuning

Here's the downsides I see....

- You will be getting an arm with an unknown mileage/condition of ball joints. Your arm may or may not be in better condition than what I send you.
- If I destroy an arm I need to find a replacement. Now I just buy a new one.
- I have to deal with guys who use pickle forks, etc and may destroy the ball joint. Then I have to fight about core refunds.

The top one is my biggest fear. I'm not sure I'd want to buy an arm with unknown condition of ball joints.

I was suggesting you replace the ball joints each time.

Originally Posted by 540 M-Sport

I was suggesting you replace the ball joints each time.

Non-replaceable, unfortunately. (unless someone can prove me wrong)

Okay then, I would simply get new arms each time, unless the arms have less than 50k miles or so. Why install new bushings with ball joints that maybe already half or more through their life?

lemmys ftw

i notice the difference when i do installs. you can feel the difference in quality.

i think i'm going to finalize the group buy. working on getting the # of orders to get the GB price.

Originally Posted by chivas

lemmys ftw.....

Chivas,

What is wrong with TRW?
Is Lemforder better than TRW?

Originally Posted by 540 M-Sport

Okay then, I would simply get new arms each time, unless the arms have less than 50k miles or so. Why install new bushings with ball joints that maybe already half or more through their life?

Exactly.

Originally Posted by chivas

lemmys ftw

i notice the difference when i do installs. you can feel the difference in quality.

i think i'm going to finalize the group buy. working on getting the # of orders to get the GB price.

Get with me when you get everything straight.

Originally Posted by cn90

Is Lemforder better than TRW?

Anyone here who has:
- used both TRW and Lemforder parts
- has more than 3-4 year/40-50K miles follow-up data to share.

If TRW is as good as Lemforder, then I rather save $30/each thrust arm.

Originally Posted by cn90

Anyone here who has:
- used both TRW and Lemforder parts
- has more than 3-4 year/40-50K miles follow-up data to share.

If TRW is as good as Lemforder, then I rather save $30/each thrust arm.

you don't have to use them to know the difference. just doing the installs, you can feel it. it's like bewbs... you know you're feeling crappy ones even if you're blindfolded.

Originally Posted by chivas

you don't have to use them to know the difference. just doing the installs, you can feel it. it's like bewbs... you know you're feeling crappy ones even if you're blindfolded.

So you are saying TRW is crappy??? If I got it right?

Originally Posted by cn90

So you are saying TRW is crappy??? If I got it right?

TRW is perfectly fine.

Originally Posted by cn90

So you are saying TRW is crappy??? If I got it right?

yeah... pretty much.

OK so the battle is now at:

1. TRW vs Lemforder vs Meyle

2. Bushing: anyone here used Polyurethane before?
This E30 thread talks about the pros and cons of polyurethane bushing:
http://bmwcca.org/forum/showthread.php?t=4812

Originally Posted by cn90

OK so the battle is now at:

1. TRW vs Lemforder vs Meyle

2. Bushing: anyone here used Polyurethane before?
This E30 thread talks about the pros and cons of polyurethane bushing:
http://bmwcca.org/forum/showthread.php?t=4812

long and short of it is if the bushing is bad you might as well change the whole arm because last thing i would do, if i were you, is to change the arm again because the ball joint went bad.

if the arm is causing all the vibration and junk, what kind of abuse is the ball joint taking? hum... A leads to B.

Actually I was referring to:

1. New Suspension parts, the debate between TRW vs Lemforder vs Meyle

2. The Bushing. When I buy new part:
TRW and Lemforder uses fluid-filled bushing ---> if this route, then to use Meyle HD bushing or not?
Meyle already has the HD solid rubber in it (no fluid) ---> if this route then no need to modify the thrust arm.

Also using new Lemforder control arms, does Power Flex offer better ride?
http://www.beastpower.com/Merchant2/...Code=powerflex

just know this: there is not warranty on the powerflex bushings so if they last 6 months.... that's 6 months. they last 6 years, that's 6 years. hansoloflysbmw is on his 2nd set of powerflex and it's been less than a year. not sure how long they really last but apparently they aren't "lifetime" like most would think.

Thanks Chivas,

The more I think about it, I am leaning toward this:

- Use Lemforder Thrust Arm with Lemforder Bushing.
- Whenever the bushing leaks (which is probably at 40-50K, and I may not keep the car that long), remove the thrust arm and replace with Meyle HD bushing and hopefully the entire thrust arm (incl balljoint) lasts until 90-100K.

My experience with my other cars (Volvo etc.) is that with conservative driving style and not too many potholes on the road, the balljoints are gone at 90-100K miles.
So 2 bushings (one stock and one replacement) per balljoint.
Sounds good?

Originally Posted by cn90

Thanks Chivas,

The more I think about it, I am leaning toward this:

- Use Lemforder Thrust Arm with Lemforder Bushing.
- Whenever the bushing leaks (which is probably at 40-50K, and I may not keep the car that long), remove the thrust arm and replace with Meyle HD bushing and hopefully the entire thrust arm (incl balljoint) lasts until 90-100K.

My experience with my other cars (Volvo etc.) is that with conservative driving style and not too many potholes on the road, the balljoints are gone at 90-100K miles.
So 2 bushings (one stock and one replacement) per balljoint.
Sounds good?

with smooth driving conditions, the bushings should last pretty long.

Originally Posted by cn90

Thanks Chivas,

The more I think about it, I am leaning toward this:

- Use Lemforder Thrust Arm with Lemforder Bushing.
- Whenever the bushing leaks (which is probably at 40-50K, and I may not keep the car that long), remove the thrust arm and replace with Meyle HD bushing and hopefully the entire thrust arm (incl balljoint) lasts until 90-100K.

My experience with my other cars (Volvo etc.) is that with conservative driving style and not too many potholes on the road, the balljoints are gone at 90-100K miles.
So 2 bushings (one stock and one replacement) per balljoint.
Sounds good?

The oem bushings for the upper and lower control arms are not made by Lemfoerder, but rather Boge. Of course, they are both subsidiaries of ZF.