Winter storing without wheels

Volasko · 12-24-2015, 10:17 AM

I want to store my car off the ground this winter but I don't want to do it from the lift points. I don't want to stretch my control arms bushings all season leaving them maxed out as I just spent last winter replacing everything. Is it possible to leave the car supported from the suspension arms? I know the rear will be fine as lower control arm is quite beefy and would easily support the weight of the rear. My concern is with the front though, will I be fine supporting them on the bottom of the front lower control arm, where it connects the the steering knuckle (like right on the ball joint)?

I was thinking I could loosen all the bolts that tie in the bushings but I don't feel like re-indexing my whole suspension come spring. I'm planning on refinishing the brakes and wheels (don't have a spare setup) at my leisure. So leaving my wheels on the car isn't an option.

Efthreeoh · 12-25-2015, 07:38 AM

I don't think it is a good idea. The suspension arms are not designed to take the direct weight of the car. I'd suspend the car from the lift points and then use some wood blocks under the rotors to load the suspension.

Welcome to NBA Jam · 12-25-2015, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

I don't think it is a good idea. The suspension arms are not designed to take the direct weight of the car. I'd suspend the car from the lift points and then use some wood blocks under the rotors to load the suspension.

I like this idea. Cheap, gets the job done. OP, Jack up the car, put it on the lift points, then jack up each individual corner and put the wood blocks under them to load the suspension.

Efthreeoh · 12-26-2015, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Welcome to NBA Jam

I like this idea. Cheap, gets the job done. OP, Jack up the car, put it on the lift points, then jack up each individual corner and put the wood blocks under them to load the suspension.

I really was going to suggest to fabricate four (4) wood stands that bolt to the hub and substitute for the wheels/tires. But that's me, I'm fancy that way.

robthewrench · 01-05-2016, 08:29 AM

Are you trying to not flat spot the tires? Why store it lifted?

MightyMouseTech · 01-05-2016, 08:40 AM

I don't see any benefit to this, unless you won't have a set of wheels to put it on.

rothwem · 01-07-2016, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

I don't see any benefit to this, unless you won't have a set of wheels to put it on.

This. When its all said and done, its probably easier to buy a set of cheap craigslist wheels and slap them on the car for the winter.

12-24-2015, 10:17 AM	#1
Volasko Colonel 726 Rep 2,609 Posts Drives: 06 330i E90, 18 530xe G30 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Toronto iTrader: (2) Garage List 2018 BMW 530e M Sport [9.00] 2006 BMW E90 330i [8.28]	Winter storing without wheels - Support Question I want to store my car off the ground this winter but I don't want to do it from the lift points. I don't want to stretch my control arms bushings all season leaving them maxed out as I just spent last winter replacing everything. Is it possible to leave the car supported from the suspension arms? I know the rear will be fine as lower control arm is quite beefy and would easily support the weight of the rear. My concern is with the front though, will I be fine supporting them on the bottom of the front lower control arm, where it connects the the steering knuckle (like right on the ball joint)? I was thinking I could loosen all the bolts that tie in the bushings but I don't feel like re-indexing my whole suspension come spring. I'm planning on refinishing the brakes and wheels (don't have a spare setup) at my leisure. So leaving my wheels on the car isn't an option. Last edited by Volasko; 12-24-2015 at 10:39 AM.. Reason: Further info
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12-25-2015, 07:38 AM	#2
Efthreeoh General 19156 Rep 19,708 Posts Drives: The E90 + Z4 Coupe & Z3 R'ster Join Date: May 2012 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	I don't think it is a good idea. The suspension arms are not designed to take the direct weight of the car. I'd suspend the car from the lift points and then use some wood blocks under the rotors to load the suspension. __________________ A manual transmission can be set to "comfort", "sport", and "track" modes simply by the technique and speed at which you shift it; it doesn't need "modes", modes are for manumatics that try to behave like a real 3-pedal manual transmission. If you can money-shift it, it's a manual transmission. "Yeah, but NO ONE puts an automatic trans shift knob on a manual transmission."
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01-05-2016, 08:29 AM	#5
robthewrench Captain 266 Rep 950 Posts Drives: 11 E90 335i Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Columbus OH iTrader: (0)	Are you trying to not flat spot the tires? Why store it lifted? __________________ bone stock
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01-05-2016, 08:40 AM	#6
MightyMouseTech Major General 4346 Rep 6,196 Posts Drives: 13 135i 6MT LeMans Blue MSport Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Ottawa, Canada iTrader: (0)	I don't see any benefit to this, unless you won't have a set of wheels to put it on.
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