Please weigh in on my front end parts order and work plans.

[andrewro]

Some of you have seen my posts asking about suspension work. I have placed an order and will be doing the following work in a week or two. Most of this stuff is coming from Autohaus AZ. For those of you who saw my post asking about Cosmics and Volvo calipers, I've decided against trying for the big brakes right now, since my calipers seem to be working just fine. RussTii tried to fit a Cosmic over a Volvo/Girling caliper on my behalf and reported that it will not fit. Thanks Russ for helping out!

Here are the parts I have ordered:

Front rotors, Brembo version (other choice was Balo, not familiar to me)

Front wheel bearing kits and oil seals

PBR organic brake pads

Tie rods and center link (whatever it's called)

Idler arm bushings

Lower ball joints

A couple sizes of cotter pins

Front and rear urethane bushing kit (from BMP)

Stock sway bar bushings and long bolts

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While I'm in there:

Cleaning and greasing the upper strut bearings (still serviceable)

Adjusting the rear brakes

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Over the next couple of months I will be doing this:

New rear shoes, possibly cylinders

New rear wheel bearings

New metal lines (some or all) and SS flex lines

Bleed system (waiting on this until lines are done)

Calipers or any other parts that need replacing.

Find and install used Bilstein HDs all around

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For now, as I am waiting on my parts, here are a few questions.

1. Do I need to replace any of the suspension bushing bolts?

2. Do I need to buy a pickle fork for pulling the old ball joints?

3. Do I need a puller for the front hubs? I don't believe so but I'm still asking.

4. When torquing the suspension bolts I have read the suspension needs to be loaded. Can I get them in there snug, then put the car on the ground, drive it onto my ramps, then torque those bolts?

Any other parts or tools or suggestions?? I've STF'd pretty thoroughly and found a lot of information but I will probably have more questions once I get ready to do the work. Right now I want to make sure I have everything I need before I begin. I'm shooting for getting all the work done in a weekend, including working some on Friday night. Once the car goes under the knife, I'm stranded until the work is complete.

Thanks!

Andrew

[Guest Anonymous]

1. Do I need to replace any of the suspension bushing bolts?

- No

2. Do I need to buy a pickle fork for pulling the old ball joints?

- Two large hammers will do - back up the socket part of the joint with one hammer, and smack the outside with the other. It should pop apart.

3. Do I need a puller for the front hubs? I don't believe so but I'm still asking.

- No.

4. When torquing the suspension bolts I have read the suspension needs to be loaded. Can I get them in there snug, then put the car on the ground, drive it onto my ramps, then torque those bolts?

- Yes. Load it for "average" conditions - BMW has a spec.

Any other parts or tools or suggestions?? I've STF'd pretty thoroughly and found a lot of information but I will probably have more questions once I get ready to do the work.

- Keep close track of the assembly order of the upper bearing shaft. If the washers aren't put in the right order, steering binding may result.

Right now I want to make sure I have everything I need before I begin. I'm shooting for getting all the work done in a weekend, including working some on Friday night. Once the car goes under the knife, I'm stranded until the work is complete.

Thanks!

Andrew