DIY front suspension on the XI?

everlast · 03-27-2012, 05:01 PM

How does the XI spring replacement procedure differ from the RWD? I'm thinking that the half shaft might prevent the whole strut assembly from swinging out from under fender to change the spring.

Anyone with DIY front suspension XI experience please chime in.

RedSled · 04-02-2012, 11:02 AM

yup. your axle will definitely pull out and you can forget about forcing it back in without removing the shock assembly. just drop the knuckle and take out the entire assembly. much easier.

wdeerfield · 04-02-2012, 11:50 AM

When i did the suspension on my e46xi, i just removed the swaybar endlink from the strut, i then set a jack under the rotor to support the assembly. You would then disconnect the pinch bolt from the hub and then the strut should come free and you should have enough room to wiggle it out after removing the nuts from under the hood. I would think the process should be pretty much the same.

Alpineweiss e90 · 04-02-2012, 03:17 PM

Yea you have little space to work with. Take the whole strut assembly out.

If your using those spring compressors from auto parts stores, they won't compress the OEM spring fully. When you remove the nut holding the strut hat on, it will pop off so be careful.

Also if you aren't installing lower springs, forget about using those shitty spring compressors. I found it impossible to compress the OEM springs back onto the OEM sturt without a wall mounted spring compressor.

Also when I did springs on my xi, the front output shaft froze up and I couldn't get the strut back into the fender. So I ended up taking the whole assembly out.

everlast · 04-03-2012, 02:18 PM

Great info guys. Is there a DIY walk through of removing the shock assembly? Does it involved removing ball joints? Ball joints and I don't get along. I ruin them every time I try to remove them. (edit: I'm no noob to this work, just not familiar with the XI front end. I've replaced everything there is to replace on my e30.)

I'm thinking of being a guinea pig and trying the Eibach 335i springs (2092.140) on my E91 328ix. I have worked out the weight distribution:

PHP Code:


			
Car             Weight  Front%  Rear%   Front Axel Rear Axel    Front Drop  Rear Drop  Eibach Part #
E90 335i        3571    50.9    49.1    1,818      1,753        1.4"        1"         2092.140    
E91 328ix       3770    50.9    49.1    1,919      1,851

Same weight distribution, literally 100lbs more front and rear, so I HOPE this produces a non-raked drop. I'm worried about a 1.4" drop (plus whatever 100lbs produces) in winter though lol.

03-27-2012, 05:01 PM	#1
everlast Malt'm'n'Salt'm 16 Rep 229 Posts Drives: 2008 328xiT Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ottawa, ON iTrader: (0)	DIY front suspension on the XI? How does the XI spring replacement procedure differ from the RWD? I'm thinking that the half shaft might prevent the whole strut assembly from swinging out from under fender to change the spring. Anyone with DIY front suspension XI experience please chime in.
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04-02-2012, 11:02 AM	#2
RedSled Second Lieutenant 15 Rep 245 Posts Drives: 335 M Sport Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (4)	yup. your axle will definitely pull out and you can forget about forcing it back in without removing the shock assembly. just drop the knuckle and take out the entire assembly. much easier.
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04-02-2012, 11:50 AM	#3
wdeerfield A family of bimmers 2832 Rep 7,764 Posts Drives: '18 G01 X3M40i Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Clifton Park, NY iTrader: (0)	When i did the suspension on my e46xi, i just removed the swaybar endlink from the strut, i then set a jack under the rotor to support the assembly. You would then disconnect the pinch bolt from the hub and then the strut should come free and you should have enough room to wiggle it out after removing the nuts from under the hood. I would think the process should be pretty much the same. __________________ 2018 PB/Black G01 X3M40i \| 699M \| ZDA \| ZPP \| ZPX \| Maxton front lip \| X3M vents \| 15mm Spacers \| Diamond G20 style grills
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04-02-2012, 03:17 PM	#4
Alpineweiss e90 Second Lieutenant 13 Rep 221 Posts Drives: AW 330xi Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: . iTrader: (0)	Yea you have little space to work with. Take the whole strut assembly out. If your using those spring compressors from auto parts stores, they won't compress the OEM spring fully. When you remove the nut holding the strut hat on, it will pop off so be careful. Also if you aren't installing lower springs, forget about using those shitty spring compressors. I found it impossible to compress the OEM springs back onto the OEM sturt without a wall mounted spring compressor. Also when I did springs on my xi, the front output shaft froze up and I couldn't get the strut back into the fender. So I ended up taking the whole assembly out.
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04-03-2012, 02:18 PM	#5
everlast Malt'm'n'Salt'm 16 Rep 229 Posts Drives: 2008 328xiT Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ottawa, ON iTrader: (0)	Great info guys. Is there a DIY walk through of removing the shock assembly? Does it involved removing ball joints? Ball joints and I don't get along. I ruin them every time I try to remove them. (edit: I'm no noob to this work, just not familiar with the XI front end. I've replaced everything there is to replace on my e30.) I'm thinking of being a guinea pig and trying the Eibach 335i springs (2092.140) on my E91 328ix. I have worked out the weight distribution: PHP Code: `Car Weight Front% Rear% Front Axel Rear Axel Front Drop Rear Drop Eibach Part # E90 335i 3571 50.9 49.1 1,818 1,753 1.4" 1" 2092.140 E91 328ix 3770 50.9 49.1 1,919 1,851` Same weight distribution, literally 100lbs more front and rear, so I HOPE this produces a non-raked drop. I'm worried about a 1.4" drop (plus whatever 100lbs produces) in winter though lol. Last edited by everlast; 04-03-2012 at 02:24 PM..
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