Suspension feels sloppy

moveswiftly · 05-17-2011, 01:59 PM

Hey Guys,

My car has about 30k miles. Lately my car just feels sloppy. Suspension isn't as stable as it used to be when I first installed the KW's 15000 miles ago. I bought the KW's used with 3000 miles on them so they have about 20k miles on them now. I also have an m3 front sway bar. I used to have stock runflats but this year i exchanged them out for Hankook Ventus V12. I also have a Quaife LSD.

Few Observations:

My front suspension "clunks" at times: Getting that checked out next week
Suspension isn't precise anymore

Yes I know Hankook's arent AMAZING tires, I bought them because they came with my wheels so I' thought I'd ride them out till they gave out . All the tires have about 7/32nd's tread on them.

- A lot more body roll lately.

Car has 30k miles on it (mostly highway)

- driven through a lot of snow at times as well

Other Notes:
-Done about 5 track days on the suspension (last year before the tire swap)
- Done many bear mountain runs as well

Please Advise. To me it's either the clunking is something lose in my front suspension which is making it feel like this or my tires are what is causing the body roll and the imprecision.

Focusedintntions · 05-17-2011, 02:15 PM

I would guess it's the clunk that could be causing all of this...Also maybe some bushings are starting to wear out?

moveswiftly · 05-17-2011, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Focusedintntions

I would guess it's the clunk that could be causing all of this...Also maybe some bushings are starting to wear out?

When you say bushings, which bushings are you referring to? Sub-Frame? I don't know of any other bushings we have lol.

Focusedintntions · 05-17-2011, 02:18 PM

well the control arms all have bushing in them too. Pretty much any part of the car the moves or vibrates and touches the body has some type of bushing to help dull the vibration transfter into the cabin. Our factory ones are pretty soft. Check out the m3 control arms you can get for the front as they come with new stiffer bushings and add negative camber too.

moveswiftly · 05-17-2011, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Focusedintntions

well the control arms all have bushing in them too. Pretty much any part of the car the moves or vibrates and touches the body has some type of bushing to help dull the vibration transfter into the cabin. Our factory ones are pretty soft. Check out the m3 control arms you can get for the front as they come with new stiffer bushings and add negative camber too.

That would be an interesting concept since my car vibrates at times upon stopping at a light only when in gear. When in neutral it does not. Hmm...

ianc · 05-17-2011, 05:42 PM

Sway bar bushing loose or going south would make the car lean more and clunk...

ianc

moveswiftly · 05-17-2011, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ianc

Sway bar bushing loose or going south would make the car lean more and clunk...

ianc

I had a feeling it might be that.... Hopefully it's as simple as that =)

moveswiftly · 05-27-2011, 12:42 PM

BUMP Found out I have a blown shock :/

Focusedintntions · 05-27-2011, 01:34 PM

ouch...that'll really do it

moveswiftly · 05-27-2011, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Focusedintntions

ouch...that'll really do it

IGoFast1589 · 05-28-2011, 08:42 AM

Dude, it's your dampers. Dampers go bad after some time. You said you bought them used with 3k and you put an additional 20k on them (from the looks of your signature it does not look like they were light milage) so I would bet money that you need to get your dampers rebuilt.

Edit: I just noticed the blown shock post, but I would still rebuild them. 20k miles out of them is pretty damn good. I've heard of dampers going on track oriented cars in 8k miles.

moveswiftly · 05-28-2011, 10:21 PM

I only did like 4 track days last year though.... not enough to justify one blowing SO quickly....

IGoFast1589 · 05-29-2011, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chesterfan1230

I only did like 4 track days last year though.... not enough to justify one blowing SO quickly....

It happens and unfortunately sometimes sooner than you would like it to. Sorry...

moveswiftly · 05-29-2011, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IGoFast1589

It happens and unfortunately sometimes sooner than you would like it to. Sorry...

Yup.... my options are pretty slim right now. One new shock is 600. Rebuild is 120 but I have to send them my shock which is kinda difficult...

Hopefully my shop will be able to help me out somehow

IGoFast1589 · 05-29-2011, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chesterfan1230

Yup.... my options are pretty slim right now. One new shock is 600. Rebuild is 120 but I have to send them my shock which is kinda difficult...

Hopefully my shop will be able to help me out somehow

If you NEED the car you could put the stock suspension on, but that is not going to be enjoyable and neither is it a good idea. I've been in similar situations with past cars. It's a major bummer... GL

Dampers really should be considered a wear item, like rotors or tires, but many people don't think that way. The good news is rebuilding the dampers or replacing them will make the car feel sweet again and you could always go custom valved for your liking if you felt like it.

scott135i · 06-02-2011, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chesterfan1230

BUMP Found out I have a blown shock :/

And an excessively poorly handled car by a certain shop.

05-17-2011, 01:59 PM	#1
moveswiftly Colonel 381 Rep 2,926 Posts Drives: Cayman GT4, 135i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: NJ iTrader: (12) Garage List 2012 335iS [0.00]	Suspension feels sloppy Hey Guys, My car has about 30k miles. Lately my car just feels sloppy. Suspension isn't as stable as it used to be when I first installed the KW's 15000 miles ago. I bought the KW's used with 3000 miles on them so they have about 20k miles on them now. I also have an m3 front sway bar. I used to have stock runflats but this year i exchanged them out for Hankook Ventus V12. I also have a Quaife LSD. Few Observations: My front suspension "clunks" at times: Getting that checked out next week Suspension isn't precise anymore Yes I know Hankook's arent AMAZING tires, I bought them because they came with my wheels so I' thought I'd ride them out till they gave out . All the tires have about 7/32nd's tread on them. - A lot more body roll lately. Car has 30k miles on it (mostly highway) - driven through a lot of snow at times as well Other Notes: -Done about 5 track days on the suspension (last year before the tire swap) - Done many bear mountain runs as well Please Advise. To me it's either the clunking is something lose in my front suspension which is making it feel like this or my tires are what is causing the body roll and the imprecision. __________________ Current: M2CS Gone but not forgotten: Cayman GT4, M2C, 2011 135i, E83 X3 6MT, 2016 SO M3, 2012 335iS, 2010 135i and 2006 e90 325xi Last edited by moveswiftly; 05-17-2011 at 02:17 PM..
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05-17-2011, 02:15 PM	#2
Focusedintntions Colonel 105 Rep 2,696 Posts Drives: 2011 135i M-Sport :D Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: NoVA iTrader: (1)	I would guess it's the clunk that could be causing all of this...Also maybe some bushings are starting to wear out? __________________ Faster, faster, faster, until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death… – Hunter Thompson
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05-17-2011, 02:18 PM	#4
Focusedintntions Colonel 105 Rep 2,696 Posts Drives: 2011 135i M-Sport :D Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: NoVA iTrader: (1)	well the control arms all have bushing in them too. Pretty much any part of the car the moves or vibrates and touches the body has some type of bushing to help dull the vibration transfter into the cabin. Our factory ones are pretty soft. Check out the m3 control arms you can get for the front as they come with new stiffer bushings and add negative camber too. __________________ Faster, faster, faster, until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death… – Hunter Thompson
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05-17-2011, 05:42 PM	#6
ianc Ex '87 Carrera 248 Rep 1,259 Posts Drives: '10 TiAg 6MT 135i Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Redwood Shores, California iTrader: (0)	Sway bar bushing loose or going south would make the car lean more and clunk... ianc __________________ "I will tell you there is a big difference between driving money and driving blood, sweat and tears." - PorscheGuy79 "I got 328 loaner and was impressed with performance. It feels much faster than my 135i." - MOCKBA
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05-27-2011, 12:42 PM	#8
moveswiftly Colonel 381 Rep 2,926 Posts Drives: Cayman GT4, 135i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: NJ iTrader: (12) Garage List 2012 335iS [0.00]	BUMP Found out I have a blown shock :/ __________________ Current: M2CS Gone but not forgotten: Cayman GT4, M2C, 2011 135i, E83 X3 6MT, 2016 SO M3, 2012 335iS, 2010 135i and 2006 e90 325xi
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05-27-2011, 01:34 PM	#9
Focusedintntions Colonel 105 Rep 2,696 Posts Drives: 2011 135i M-Sport :D Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: NoVA iTrader: (1)	ouch...that'll really do it __________________ Faster, faster, faster, until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death… – Hunter Thompson
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05-28-2011, 08:42 AM	#11
IGoFast1589 Captain 49 Rep 654 Posts Drives: 08 135i Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: NY iTrader: (2)	Dude, it's your dampers. Dampers go bad after some time. You said you bought them used with 3k and you put an additional 20k on them (from the looks of your signature it does not look like they were light milage) so I would bet money that you need to get your dampers rebuilt. Edit: I just noticed the blown shock post, but I would still rebuild them. 20k miles out of them is pretty damn good. I've heard of dampers going on track oriented cars in 8k miles.
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05-28-2011, 10:21 PM	#12
moveswiftly Colonel 381 Rep 2,926 Posts Drives: Cayman GT4, 135i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: NJ iTrader: (12) Garage List 2012 335iS [0.00]	I only did like 4 track days last year though.... not enough to justify one blowing SO quickly.... __________________ Current: M2CS Gone but not forgotten: Cayman GT4, M2C, 2011 135i, E83 X3 6MT, 2016 SO M3, 2012 335iS, 2010 135i and 2006 e90 325xi
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