ZHP Sedan still feels loose

Bake · 08-10-2010, 09:39 AM

I picked up a ZHP sedan last year with 74k miles and immediately noticed the suspension felt unstable. I changed the FCAB with heavy duty units purchased from Bavarian Autosport and swapped the RTAB with OEM units. These two changes made a huge difference in the handling, but I still feel like the car is not as solid as it should be. I had a 325ci with sports package prior to this ZHP sedan and I know it felt tighter than this does. My question is what other suspension tidbits are likley worn and are the culprits for this feeling? I want to inspect them and make knowledgeable replacements. This is my daily driver and I drive the terrible roads in NYC with my two young children in the car on a daily basis, so I am not really interested in going with any urethane bushings or lowered suspension. I just like my car to feel tight on the highway.

ChiMaster · 08-10-2010, 09:42 AM

unstable is subjective - What exactly are the symptoms?

FamilyTruckster · 08-10-2010, 10:36 AM

My ZHP felt like the front end was loose, especially when I went over railroad tracks or such. I figured it was the FCAB's as I experienced a similar issue with my E36 at about the same mileage (100k). My mechanic said it was the front sway bar links, I was skeptical but had them replaced. Sure enough, that fixed the problem. Might want to check into replacing those, they are cheap.

TxZHP04 · 08-10-2010, 01:17 PM

At 74k and considering that you've replaced CABs and RTABs, I would seriously start to suspect the dampers. Mine were blown before 70k.

Bake · 08-10-2010, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TxZHP04

At 74k and considering that you've replaced CABs and RTABs, I would seriously start to suspect the dampers. Mine were blown before 70k.

Are there specific symptoms that would confirm I need dampers? I don't disagree that at my mileage (82K now) I should replace them, but would hate to replace them and still have this issue.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FamilyTruckster

My ZHP felt like the front end was loose, especially when I went over railroad tracks or such. I figured it was the FCAB's as I experienced a similar issue with my E36 at about the same mileage (100k). My mechanic said it was the front sway bar links, I was skeptical but had them replaced. Sure enough, that fixed the problem. Might want to check into replacing those, they are cheap.

Thanks. I assume, I could get my car on a lift and do a visual inspection of these and see if they are worn. I think I will bring my car in to our local E46fanatic sponsored shop and have them take a look for me so I can finally get to the bottom of this.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiMaster

unstable is subjective - What exactly are the symptoms?

During lane changes car still seems a bit squirrely. Before replacing the RTAB's I could barely keep the car in a lane.

pgj · 08-10-2010, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bake

I picked up a ZHP sedan last year with 74k miles and immediately noticed the suspension felt unstable. I changed the FCAB with heavy duty units purchased from Bavarian Autosport and swapped the RTAB with OEM units. These two changes made a huge difference in the handling, but I still feel like the car is not as solid as it should be. I had a 325ci with sports package prior to this ZHP sedan and I know it felt tighter than this does. My question is what other suspension tidbits are likley worn and are the culprits for this feeling? I want to inspect them and make knowledgeable replacements. This is my daily driver and I drive the terrible roads in NYC with my two young children in the car on a daily basis, so I am not really interested in going with any urethane bushings or lowered suspension. I just like my car to feel tight on the highway.

Is this maybe a steering issue?

I just stumbled over this thread:

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=470103

pgj · 08-10-2010, 08:29 PM

nice car, BTW.

Bake · 08-11-2010, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pgj

Is this maybe a steering issue?

I just stumbled over this thread:

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=470103

Interesting.....

Quote:

Originally Posted by pgj

nice car, BTW.

Thanks bud.

jeremykrak · 08-11-2010, 09:21 AM

You might wanna add a strut bar to the mix... I drove my ZHP with and without a strut bar and it's night and day in terms of how stiff it feels... like crazy! will never drive without a strut bar (the ACS that came with mine is SIIICK)

pgj · 08-13-2010, 04:10 PM

I'd really like to hear how this turns out?

wrecklessfool · 02-10-2011, 05:01 PM

You might check your tie rods for play in the ball joints. I am having the same feeling you are about how it should feel more "solid." I have replaced the front control arms, FCABs, Turner rear control arms, Rogue RTABs, new rear diff bushing, M3 motor mounts, Rogue transmission mounts, new tie rods (inner and outer), new wheels and tires, and a proper alignment with hand gauges the old school way. I am waiting on my sway bars to arrive so I can put on the new adjustable front endlinks. I'm hoping the guy above was right and maybe this will solve our issues.

No doubt that the car feels exponentially better than it did before all the work, but I feel like it's still not quite where it could be.

08-10-2010, 09:39 AM	#1
Bake Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Conrete Jungle Where Dreams Are Made Of Posts: 1,735 My Ride: A08 '05 ZHP Sedan View My Garage	ZHP Sedan still feels loose I picked up a ZHP sedan last year with 74k miles and immediately noticed the suspension felt unstable. I changed the FCAB with heavy duty units purchased from Bavarian Autosport and swapped the RTAB with OEM units. These two changes made a huge difference in the handling, but I still feel like the car is not as solid as it should be. I had a 325ci with sports package prior to this ZHP sedan and I know it felt tighter than this does. My question is what other suspension tidbits are likley worn and are the culprits for this feeling? I want to inspect them and make knowledgeable replacements. This is my daily driver and I drive the terrible roads in NYC with my two young children in the car on a daily basis, so I am not really interested in going with any urethane bushings or lowered suspension. I just like my car to feel tight on the highway. __________________ 2005 Silver Grey 330i ZHP, PP, CWP 19" CSL Reps \| Hybrid H&R Touring/Sport Cupkit \| BMW Performance Intake \| BMW Performance CF Strut Bar BMW Performance Rotors \| Gloss Black Roof \|ACS Roof Spoiler \| 40% Tint \| Black Splitters \| Black Grille Black "330i" Badge \| LED Angel Eyes\| 3K HID Fogs \| Clears \| Tri-Color Stitched M3 Steering Wheel \| Two-Tone Door Panels \| DICE

08-10-2010, 09:42 AM	#2
ChiMaster Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 175 My Ride: 01 330ci, 2013 CTS View My Garage	unstable is subjective - What exactly are the symptoms? __________________ 2001 BMW 330ci 2011 Cooper S Clubman 2009 328 xDrive

08-10-2010, 01:17 PM	#4
TxZHP04 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: DFW Posts: 5,731 My Ride: ESS TS2+ ZHP View My Garage	At 74k and considering that you've replaced CABs and RTABs, I would seriously start to suspect the dampers. Mine were blown before 70k. __________________ 04 IR 330i ZHP \| ESS TS2+ SC \| MagnaFlow "headers" \| KMS 3.64 LSD \| AST 4100 550/650\| APEX ARC-8 18x9 \| H&R front sway bar \| Vorshlag camber plates, RTAB limiters \| TMS subframe & swaybar reinforcements \| UUC SSK & DSSR \| UUC TM & TME \| BW motor mounts \| Dinan strut & shock tower bars \| vaio 4-bolt oil pump

02-10-2011, 05:01 PM	#11
wrecklessfool Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 602 My Ride: is PAID off... View My Garage	You might check your tie rods for play in the ball joints. I am having the same feeling you are about how it should feel more "solid." I have replaced the front control arms, FCABs, Turner rear control arms, Rogue RTABs, new rear diff bushing, M3 motor mounts, Rogue transmission mounts, new tie rods (inner and outer), new wheels and tires, and a proper alignment with hand gauges the old school way. I am waiting on my sway bars to arrive so I can put on the new adjustable front endlinks. I'm hoping the guy above was right and maybe this will solve our issues. No doubt that the car feels exponentially better than it did before all the work, but I feel like it's still not quite where it could be. __________________

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08-10-2010, 10:36 AM	#3
FamilyTruckster Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Jefferson, WI Posts: 10 My Ride: 05 ZHP View My Garage	My ZHP felt like the front end was loose, especially when I went over railroad tracks or such. I figured it was the FCAB's as I experienced a similar issue with my E36 at about the same mileage (100k). My mechanic said it was the front sway bar links, I was skeptical but had them replaced. Sure enough, that fixed the problem. Might want to check into replacing those, they are cheap.

08-10-2010, 08:29 PM	#7
pgj Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: USA Posts: 22 My Ride: 2004 325i, 2007 328i View My Garage	nice car, BTW.

08-11-2010, 09:21 AM	#9
jeremykrak Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 186 My Ride: n/a View My Garage	You might wanna add a strut bar to the mix... I drove my ZHP with and without a strut bar and it's night and day in terms of how stiff it feels... like crazy! will never drive without a strut bar (the ACS that came with mine is SIIICK)

08-13-2010, 04:10 PM	#10
pgj Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: USA Posts: 22 My Ride: 2004 325i, 2007 328i View My Garage	I'd really like to hear how this turns out?