Lower Wishbone Install gone wrong (one wheel drastic toe in)

StealYourFace · 09-05-2020, 02:10 PM

Hey everyone -

When I swapped the lowers on my e90, the second time I did the job I didn't even need to have it lined up (even though I did).

I did the f80 m3 lowers on the f30 and the pass wheel is toed way in.... If I only did connect the lower wishbones, why on earth would the toe be that far off?

Did I bend something, or do I just need to have this thing flatbedded to an alignment rack? Thanks.

HighlandPete · 09-05-2020, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StealYourFace

Hey everyone -

When I swapped the lowers on my e90, the second time I did the job I didn't even need to have it lined up (even though I did).

I did the m3 lowers on the f30 and the pass wheel is toed way in.... If I only did connect the lower wishbones, why on early would the toe be that far off?

Did I bend something, or do I just need to have this thing flatbedded to an alignment rack? Thanks.

You mean M3 wishbones fitted to F30... that's the answer.

Lancelot · 09-05-2020, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StealYourFace

Hey everyone -

When I swapped the lowers on my e90, the second time I did the job I didn't even need to have it lined up (even though I did).

I did the m3 lowers on the f30 and the pass wheel is toed way in.... If I only did connect the lower wishbones, why on early would the toe be that far off?

Did I bend something, or do I just need to have this thing flatbedded to an alignment rack? Thanks.

They do whack your suspension out of alignment, way more than e90.
You can't get anywhere, you need to align on the spot at least roughly.
But since f80 and f30 have different subframes these parts are not an obvious swap (been there, removed them and got camber plates)

StealYourFace · 09-05-2020, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lancelot

They do whack your suspension out of alignment, way more than e90.
You can't get anywhere, you need to align on the spot at least roughly.
But since f80 and f30 have different subframes these parts are not an obvious swap (been there, removed them and got camber plates)

Yeah clearly. What a hassle. The F30 is a nice enough driver, even the m sport has more suspension travel than an e90 sport, but my impression was the f80 arms were a simple swap like the e90 m3 arms were. I just wanted a bit more steering feel and neg camber.

Thankfully I have another car to drive.

smrtypants44 · 09-06-2020, 11:03 PM

I went with the turner motorsports monoball thrust arms and it helped the steering feel a lot. Plus they dont mess with the suspension geometry like the F8x stuff does.

Watsey · 09-07-2020, 03:17 AM

There's a lot of information on this. The F8X arms are not a straightforward swap due to their increased length.

Turner, Millway, and VAC have options for replacing the bushes. If you want a straightforward out/in option (i.e. not having to machine-press the bushes) SuperPro has a new 4-arm kit coming to market which uses encapsulated monoballs in the wishbones (so no geometry issues).

Littlebear · 09-11-2020, 05:14 PM

Hello BMW Experts!

Even when changing to F80 lateral links (or whatever), giving your car a rough alignment isn't too hard.
Put your car up a little so you can fit under the front end. Then run a tape measure up as high as you can on the front tires, measuring the distance between identical points on the right & left tires. Then do this on the rear of the tires, matching the length of the front & rear measurements by turning the tie rods.
This should get you to the shop. Clear as mud?
Somehow, I don't think about the ~ 1/4 inch of tierod left screwed in after the F80 LCA switch anymore....

Murf

StealYourFace · 09-12-2020, 02:51 PM

Update...

I forgot how much the longer arms would change the toe lol..

I had the car lined up with a fairly aggressive spec, really woke up the feel of the car.

.05 toe
-1.9 Camber driver -2.1 Pass (closest a shop has come to what I asked for)

rear
.1 toe
-1.5 Camber

In addition it should be easy on tires, but all 4 have worn evenly in the past.

The steering is very responsive, I might have a little more toe added back in the front if it feels out of sorts.

I'll be doing an hpde with it in a few weeks, I run 245/40/17 RS4s (from my e36). I'd like to autocross it before then just to see the difference.

apparently grey brake 328i cars have odd pads, finding a track pad that doesn't break the bank is impossible.

09-05-2020, 02:10 PM	#1
StealYourFace Lieutenant Colonel 261 Rep 1,794 Posts Drives: F30 328i M 6mt, E36 M3 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Shakedown Street, Buffalo NY iTrader: (1)	Lower Wishbone Install gone wrong (one wheel drastic toe in) Hey everyone - When I swapped the lowers on my e90, the second time I did the job I didn't even need to have it lined up (even though I did). I did the f80 m3 lowers on the f30 and the pass wheel is toed way in.... If I only did connect the lower wishbones, why on earth would the toe be that far off? Did I bend something, or do I just need to have this thing flatbedded to an alignment rack? Thanks. __________________ Last edited by StealYourFace; 09-05-2020 at 05:32 PM..
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

09-06-2020, 11:03 PM	#5
smrtypants44 Captain 519 Rep 894 Posts Drives: 2017 440i Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Tulsa, OK iTrader: (2)	I went with the turner motorsports monoball thrust arms and it helped the steering feel a lot. Plus they dont mess with the suspension geometry like the F8x stuff does. __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-07-2020, 03:17 AM	#6
Watsey Major General 6407 Rep 8,495 Posts Drives: F31 330D sDrive M Sport Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: On sabbatical. iTrader: (1)	There's a lot of information on this. The F8X arms are not a straightforward swap due to their increased length. Turner, Millway, and VAC have options for replacing the bushes. If you want a straightforward out/in option (i.e. not having to machine-press the bushes) SuperPro has a new 4-arm kit coming to market which uses encapsulated monoballs in the wishbones (so no geometry issues). __________________ Current : F31 330sD, remapped, Ohlins Road & Track, Millway camber plates, Quaife LSD, Stoptech brakes + Pagid RSL1 pads all round, Weichers front strut brace, Eibach front & rear anti-roll bars, Michelin MP4S.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-11-2020, 05:14 PM	#7
Littlebear Banned 3510 Rep 2,044 Posts Drives: ...the Mods crazy. Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Not here, apparently.... iTrader: (2)	Hello BMW Experts! Even when changing to F80 lateral links (or whatever), giving your car a rough alignment isn't too hard. Put your car up a little so you can fit under the front end. Then run a tape measure up as high as you can on the front tires, measuring the distance between identical points on the right & left tires. Then do this on the rear of the tires, matching the length of the front & rear measurements by turning the tie rods. This should get you to the shop. Clear as mud? Somehow, I don't think about the ~ 1/4 inch of tierod left screwed in after the F80 LCA switch anymore.... Murf Last edited by Littlebear; 09-13-2020 at 04:57 AM..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-12-2020, 02:51 PM	#8
StealYourFace Lieutenant Colonel 261 Rep 1,794 Posts Drives: F30 328i M 6mt, E36 M3 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Shakedown Street, Buffalo NY iTrader: (1)	Update... I forgot how much the longer arms would change the toe lol.. I had the car lined up with a fairly aggressive spec, really woke up the feel of the car. .05 toe -1.9 Camber driver -2.1 Pass (closest a shop has come to what I asked for) rear .1 toe -1.5 Camber In addition it should be easy on tires, but all 4 have worn evenly in the past. The steering is very responsive, I might have a little more toe added back in the front if it feels out of sorts. I'll be doing an hpde with it in a few weeks, I run 245/40/17 RS4s (from my e36). I'd like to autocross it before then just to see the difference. apparently grey brake 328i cars have odd pads, finding a track pad that doesn't break the bank is impossible. __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote