Nels996

E61 Owners,

I've been searching the forums and wasn't able to find anyone that had replaced the OE thrust arm bushings with a polyurethane ones. Are these bushings available? I tried searching the net, but had no luck

Would anyone happen to know where to locate these parts?

Thanks in advance.

andy535xi

Why would you want to replace them? are they worn out? or do you think you will gain some performance? Personally I think the swap will increase vibration in the car.

Nels996

The bushings currently on the car are torn. So I would need to replace them. I figured to replace them with polyurethane ones in order to prevent them from tearing again.

I'm plan on participating on a few track/lapping days. I would think if the stock ones units were damaged with day to day driving, how long would they last on the track

I agree that there may be some vibration with the poly bushings installed, but I could live with that. I'll have more suspension vibration/feed back when I change the springs and shocks.

narvselius

This is an intersting thread. I used my E61 on a track day myself when I got my racing license, and so far and after 55000 kms (34000 miles) everthing seems ok, but I'm all ears for improvements!

Nels996

So far with the little testing I've done with the car, I find the car leans a little more then I would like. It reduces my confidence going into the corners. I'll be making some changes to the suspension to reduce it.

I usually track/race rear wheel drive vehicles. I'm looking forward to the challenges that all wheel drive will be giving me.

Hey Narvselius you mentioned that you have tracked your E61. Did you have any issues of wear with the tension arm bushings?

bigbadbull

I have the same issues. I really miss the RCS from the non Xi sport package cars...
On of the biggest causes for the excess roll on the North American bound wagons is the Panoramic Sunroof... A ton of heavy glass high up on the car.

I 'm looking in to the Sway bars and larger lower profile wheels and tires to get rid of some of the Added roll.. the Urethane bushings would be great too, but I've yet to find some for a E60/61

Nels996

I'll replace the sway bars later on. I want to start with springs and struts first and recored the change. Once I have achieved that, my next change will be strut braces etc...

I've spent some time researching the tension are bushings. I found that they are not available. They I thought of making them myself until I looked at how the tension arm works. I believe if the bushings were changed to polyurethane it would be a disadvantage.

It will require more steering effort through turns do to the pivoting design of then tension arm. So I ended up replacing the bushings with OE ones.

bigbadbull

You have issues with the Spings / Shocks...

Your only alternative due to the Air Springs in the rear Are Coil overs, and the KV3's at that (like $2500-700 USD before tax and install)
And there are some issues with AWD vs RWD on them too.

hondik

Just curious, what do you drive? E61 LCI / pre-LCI ?? 530i ? 535i.. ?

Nels996

I've been looking at the rear suspension, I'm sure there will be issues with it at the track. I also have to keep in mind that I'm not building another dedicated track car. I Just want to have a little fun at the track. (Non competitive) With that being said if the rear suspension gives me major balance and cornering issue I won't delay on changing it out.

I've developed suspension systems for other cars, so I'm sure I won't have a problem coming up with a solution for the rear.