Special ZHP Bushings?

lupinsea · 10-06-2008, 09:13 PM

Uh, yeah. . . seems like a bad joke with the ZHP air and all that stuff.

Anyways.

Took the ZHP in to have a tensioner pulley and emission system tune up under CPO warranty. While they were there the mechanic took a look at my front LCA bushings and said they should be replaced "sooner rather than later". Actually very soon.

I suppose at 91.5k miles I've gotten a decent life out of them.

For $600+ tax they said they could replace them. But I figure I can do that myself.

The only question is, does the ZHP use special LCA front bushings? I thought I heard a harder rubber/polymer is used.

So, should I pony up and get the parts from BMW at $300 (incl tax) or go aftermarket with . . . ?

Poking around I found references to the UUC bushings, the Turner stuff, I think there was a Powerflex set out there, too. Plus on Bavauto they had the "HD" bushings for $90 / set pre-pressed into the aluminum housings (I think they were they Meyle). Though with the OE replacement stuff I haven't seen a special "ZHP" designation (or reference specifically to M sport Package/Perf Pak). Nor did anything stand out on realoem.com other than the control arm itself being Performance Package Related . . . no special listing for the bushings there.

Thoughts?

Also, after a LCA bushing replacement, any need for an alignment? Apart from popping the bushing (and maybe arm?) off and on it doesn't look like there's any adjustable linkage or fasteners I have to mess with.

ff · 10-06-2008, 09:25 PM

The ZHP was advertised as using stiffer bushings than the base 330i, yes. Whether that included all bushings, or only certain ones, I'm not sure.

BMW wants $300 for a bag of small rubber parts? That should be illegal.

bren · 10-06-2008, 10:00 PM

Turner has them also - (looks like maybe a few dollars more than you found.)
http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html...ID=31126757623

I would absolutely stick with the OE parts. I tore the Powerflex bushings in a couple weeks, and the solid stuff really isn't great for street use.

Alignment shouldn't be necessary, assuming you never had it reset with the worn bushings. Although, at 90k miles it probably wouldn't hurt to at least have it checked afterwards.

A 2 jaw puller is pretty much mandatory, unless you want to fashion your own tool for removal. Dawn dish soap and some muscle is all you need to put them on.

Nick M3 · 10-06-2008, 10:29 PM

I am on the phone so I can't look it up, but ca bshings are WAY cheaper if you buy the bare bushing and and press it into the lollipop yourself. ($8 for m3 lcabs for example.)

rumatt · 10-07-2008, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick M3

I am on the phone so I can't look it up, but ca bshings are WAY cheaper if you buy the bare bushing and and press it into the lollipop yourself. ($8 for m3 lcabs for example.)

Last time I looked they don't sell them this way any more.

Nick M3 · 10-07-2008, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rumatt

Last time I looked they don't sell them this way any more.

Sucksass. Good thing I bought a set for the M3 a while ago.

Anyhow, I recommend buying the bushings from rmeuropean.com. If you're replacing the control arms, bimmerworld is selling the full control arm and bushing set for $389.

*Plaz* · 10-07-2008, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick M3

I am on the phone so I can't look it up, but ca bshings are WAY cheaper if you buy the bare bushing and and press it into the lollipop yourself. ($8 for m3 lcabs for example.)

I know it's OT, but I'm confused by this...

you're on the phone so you can't look it up, but you can post?

*clyde* · 10-07-2008, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plaz

I know it's OT, but I'm confused by this...

you're on the phone so you can't look it up, but you can post?

11.5 hour phone calls are teh sux0rz!!!111one!!1one!!1

*Plaz* · 10-07-2008, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clyde

11.5 hour phone calls are teh sux0rz!!!111one!!1one!!1

I wasn't saying...

never mind.

I'm more confused now, but it doesn't matter.

Carry on.

Nick M3 · 10-07-2008, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plaz

I know it's OT, but I'm confused by this...

you're on the phone so you can't look it up, but you can post?

realoem doesn't really work on the iphone.

10-06-2008, 09:13 PM	#1
lupinsea Jeeped Join Date: Sep 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: Modified Jeep Tj and '07 Miata Location: Seattle Posts: 10,214	Special ZHP Bushings? Uh, yeah. . . seems like a bad joke with the ZHP air and all that stuff. Anyways. Took the ZHP in to have a tensioner pulley and emission system tune up under CPO warranty. While they were there the mechanic took a look at my front LCA bushings and said they should be replaced "sooner rather than later". Actually very soon. I suppose at 91.5k miles I've gotten a decent life out of them. For $600+ tax they said they could replace them. But I figure I can do that myself. The only question is, does the ZHP use special LCA front bushings? I thought I heard a harder rubber/polymer is used. So, should I pony up and get the parts from BMW at $300 (incl tax) or go aftermarket with . . . ? Poking around I found references to the UUC bushings, the Turner stuff, I think there was a Powerflex set out there, too. Plus on Bavauto they had the "HD" bushings for $90 / set pre-pressed into the aluminum housings (I think they were they Meyle). Though with the OE replacement stuff I haven't seen a special "ZHP" designation (or reference specifically to M sport Package/Perf Pak). Nor did anything stand out on realoem.com other than the control arm itself being Performance Package Related . . . no special listing for the bushings there. Thoughts? Also, after a LCA bushing replacement, any need for an alignment? Apart from popping the bushing (and maybe arm?) off and on it doesn't look like there's any adjustable linkage or fasteners I have to mess with. __________________ . My website "Jeep is the only true American sports car" - Enzo Ferrari Or something to that effect.

10-06-2008, 10:00 PM	#3
bren lawn boy Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: e46m3, f25x3,C5 Z06, C4 Vette, 06 CTD Ram, and a trailer Location: Maryland Posts: 14,029	Turner has them also - (looks like maybe a few dollars more than you found.) http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html...ID=31126757623 I would absolutely stick with the OE parts. I tore the Powerflex bushings in a couple weeks, and the solid stuff really isn't great for street use. Alignment shouldn't be necessary, assuming you never had it reset with the worn bushings. Although, at 90k miles it probably wouldn't hurt to at least have it checked afterwards. A 2 jaw puller is pretty much mandatory, unless you want to fashion your own tool for removal. Dawn dish soap and some muscle is all you need to put them on. Last edited by bren; 10-06-2008 at 10:32 PM.

10-06-2008, 10:29 PM	#4
Nick M3 Relic Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Bethesda, MD Posts: 12,458	I am on the phone so I can't look it up, but ca bshings are WAY cheaper if you buy the bare bushing and and press it into the lollipop yourself. ($8 for m3 lcabs for example.) __________________ 2011 M3 2006 Sierra 2500HD 4WD LBZ/Allison 2004 X5 3.0i 6MT 1995 M3 S50B32 1990 325is 1989 M3 S54B32 Hers: 1989 325iX 1996 911 Turbo

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10-06-2008, 09:25 PM	#2
ff . Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 13,514	The ZHP was advertised as using stiffer bushings than the base 330i, yes. Whether that included all bushings, or only certain ones, I'm not sure. BMW wants $300 for a bag of small rubber parts? That should be illegal.