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      09-22-2019, 06:34 PM   #1
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F2x/F3x Meyle HD tension strut review

Hey all,

After exploring an F8x tension strut swap or a monoball setup, I discovered Meyle makes a pair of tension struts from their HD lineup. So far these appear to be Europe-only, and I had to buy them on ebay.

The part numbers are:
316 050 0066/HD -- Left
316 050 0067/HD -- Right

I found them for about $67/each, plus $25 in shipping each.

As you can see from the below pic, the bushing is quite a different design from the factory one. In general, it looks much heftier. The bushing seems to have more support in the common directions force is applied to it. What you can't tell from the picture, is just how stiff the rubber is. It is significantly stiffer than the OEM piece.



The pictured stock TS in the picture only has 10k miles on it, and I can already squish the center piece around with my hands. I could not get the meyle one to budge. Anyway, on to the actual review.

Immediately I noticed that the steering is more precise, and less affected by imperfections in the road. Both steering and braking feel more predictable.
You do feel and hear these imperfections a tiny bit more, but it's well worth it considering the change in handling. The car feels more on rails and is less upset by bumps than before.

One of my main gripes with this car has been that with my wide and sticky summer tires, I had to fight the steering wheel a bit over bumps on the highway. Which in northern virginia, is frequently.

In conclusion, if your tension struts need to be replaced soon and you aren't willing to step up to monoballs or try the M3/M4 swap, I highly recommend these. Hopefully we get these sold in the US soon.
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Last edited by Eschmacher; 09-22-2019 at 06:39 PM..
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      09-22-2019, 09:22 PM   #2
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Did you install yourself? If so, how did that go? Any tips or recommendations for the rest of us?

Assuming an alignment is not necessary after install, correct?
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      09-22-2019, 09:38 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sspade View Post
Did you install yourself? If so, how did that go? Any tips or recommendations for the rest of us?

Assuming an alignment is not necessary after install, correct?
I did, the hardest part was the nut on the ball joint. What a pain... My 1/2" impact is what made it possible. Took about five to ten seconds of impact to finally get it spinning. Then you have to go get a torx and hold the ball joint in place while using a ratcheting spanner or box wrench to twist the nut off. Took about 30-45 per side once the car was up and I had taken the small plastic trays off the underside.

For tightening the new ball joint, I reversed this except I stopped once i couldn't tighten it any more with my torx and wrench. Then I jacked up the assembly from where the lower control arm meets the hub and got out the torque wrench. 125ft-lbs is a lot. You will literally move the steering out to lock while tightening this.

No alignment should be necessary. I don't believe there is any change in caster.
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      09-22-2019, 09:49 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Eschmacher View Post
No alignment should be necessary. I don't believe there is any change in caster.
It's difficult to tell from the pictures if the bolt hole is centered in the middle of the Meyle HD bushing or not. If it is (and not offset to one side like the OE bushing) you may want to get an alignment since your caster will be increased.
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      09-23-2019, 12:06 AM   #5
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Do they have xdrive versions?
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      09-23-2019, 05:58 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FaRKle! View Post
It's difficult to tell from the pictures if the bolt hole is centered in the middle of the Meyle HD bushing or not. If it is (and not offset to one side like the OE bushing) you may want to get an alignment since your caster will be increased.
Wish I had thought to measure it against the stock one before mounting them up... Their catalogue lists them as 390mm long.

Quote:
Originally Posted by dotjonnL View Post
Do they have xdrive versions?
They do, but I can't seem to find them for sale... Here are the part numbers from their catalogue:
316 050 0068/HD -- Left
316 050 0069/HD -- Right
The x-drive are listed as 385mm long.
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      10-01-2019, 09:41 PM   #7
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Where did you find them at that price? All the ones I’ve found are twice that plus double for shipping.
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      10-04-2019, 10:05 AM   #8
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Originally Posted by EricD735i View Post
Where did you find them at that price? All the ones I’ve found are twice that plus double for shipping.
The seller I got mine from seems to have either run out or stopped carrying them :/
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      10-04-2019, 10:21 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Eschmacher View Post
The seller I got mine from seems to have either run out or stopped carrying them :/
Are these solid rubber or hydro-bearings?
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      10-04-2019, 11:09 PM   #10
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Originally Posted by BMWILUVU View Post
Are these solid rubber or hydro-bearings?
Solid rubber.
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      10-21-2019, 01:33 PM   #11
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Helo BMW Experts!

The Meyle thrust arm is back on Ebay, ~ $100. per side:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/316-050-006...gAAOSwIUVcG1YD
https://www.ebay.com/itm/316-050-006...4AAOSw~KNcG1FV

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      10-23-2019, 10:32 AM   #12
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A word of caution. I ordered mine about two weeks ago and what i received is not what Eschmacher received. The ones I received have a standard style bushing. They were new in the box which had the Meyle seal intact. I don't have any reason to believe they were switched out or tampered with. Maybe the part was updated? I am wondering if it's a solid rubber bushing cast in the original style in lieu of a hydrobearing. Can't move it all by hand and it's pretty stiff when I try to move it with a screwdriver. Not the end of the world as my car has 70k so I'm sure they need swapped anyway. Might try the old windshield adhesive to fill the gaps trick and see what happens.



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      10-23-2019, 12:09 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EricD735i View Post
A word of caution. I ordered mine about two weeks ago and what i received is not what Eschmacher received. The ones I received have a standard style bushing. They were new in the box which had the Meyle seal intact. I don't have any reason to believe they were switched out or tampered with. Maybe the part was updated? I am wondering if it's a solid rubber bushing cast in the original style in lieu of a hydrobearing. Can't move it all by hand and it's pretty stiff when I try to move it with a screwdriver. Not the end of the world as my car has 70k so I'm sure they need swapped anyway. Might try the old windshield adhesive to fill the gaps trick and see what happens.



No, those are exactly what I received. I too considered filling the gaps with something rubbery to see if I could tighten it up further.

Regardless, they are an improvement to OEM, trust me.
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      10-23-2019, 12:46 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Eschmacher View Post
No, those are exactly what I received. I too considered filling the gaps with something rubbery to see if I could tighten it up further.

Regardless, they are an improvement to OEM, trust me.
Well I’m an idiot then. I thought the one on the right was the new one.
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      10-23-2019, 01:38 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Eschmacher View Post
.... I too considered filling the gaps with something rubbery to see if I could tighten it up further....
I tried the same on my E46. 'Shoe Goop' doesn't bind, just falls out....

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      10-23-2019, 04:31 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EricD735i View Post
Well I’m an idiot then. I thought the one on the right was the new one.
No, those are the OEM, and they are not as solid as they look. I recommend at least trying the Meyle ones.
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      11-20-2019, 10:03 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Eschmacher View Post
Hey all,

After exploring an F8x tension strut swap or a monoball setup, I discovered Meyle makes a pair of tension struts from their HD lineup. So far these appear to be Europe-only, and I had to buy them on ebay.

The part numbers are:
316 050 0066/HD -- Left
316 050 0067/HD -- Right

I found them for about $67/each, plus $25 in shipping each.
Both Meyle arms are available on ebay now....
http://www.ebaystores.co.uk/Brake-Li..._sid=137339294

Murf

PS: I ordered these & got delivery in two days, England to Brklyn!

Last edited by Littlebear; 11-22-2019 at 09:43 AM..
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      11-22-2019, 03:37 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EricD735i View Post

The Meyle has a bigger metal 'collar' in the rubber end, but look at those air spaces where the stock unit has fluid filling.
I would feel much better if those air spaces were filled with something!

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      11-23-2019, 03:51 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Littlebear View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by EricD735i View Post

The Meyle has a bigger metal 'collar' in the rubber end, but look at those air spaces where the stock unit has fluid filling.
I would feel much better if those air spaces were filled with something!

Murf
I'd like to hear if your opinion matches the other fellow after you get them installed. I've been watching these arms for a while now. Interestingly enough the seller's price went up by 50% today from what it was just yesterday! Perhaps they are running short on stock.
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      11-24-2019, 02:37 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jvac View Post
I'd like to hear if your opinion matches the other fellow after you get them installed. I've been watching these arms for a while now. Interestingly enough the seller's price went up by 50% today from what it was just yesterday! Perhaps they are running short on stock.
I’ve had them on for a few weeks now and they’re fine. If you have air tools or a good impact the install isn’t bad. I’d say they’re a bit firmer than stock but not a huge difference. Mid-corner and braking seem more stable. To be fair I don’t know how old the hydro bushings were, they could have been replaced before. I’d say they’re worthwhile.
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      11-24-2019, 07:23 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EricD735i View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jvac View Post
I'd like to hear if your opinion matches the other fellow after you get them installed. I've been watching these arms for a while now. Interestingly enough the seller's price went up by 50% today from what it was just yesterday! Perhaps they are running short on stock.
I’ve had them on for a few weeks now and they’re fine. If you have air tools or a good impact the install isn’t bad. I’d say they’re a bit firmer than stock but not a huge difference. Mid-corner and braking seem more stable. To be fair I don’t know how old the hydro bushings were, they could have been replaced before. I’d say they’re worthwhile.
Thanks Eric!
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