[Sportstick]

Several years ago, I had installed the M2 Lower Control Arms, using the kit from Turner Motorsports. Great results for steering with +.5 degree of negative camber in the front alignment spec and also feeling more stable/planted on turns.

Just learned that my 10 year old has failing thrust arm bushings (and motor mounts) and wondering about taking the opportunity to install the M2 thrust arms with their own new bushings rather than just replacing bushings (which BMW does not favor). These are the parts, as shown on Turner.

I'm assuming these will mate up nicely with the LCAs already in place and may even return the front wheels to the original position within the fender opening. They have been slightly forward.

Asking the community for experience, thoughts, suggestions before I go through with this, please? Thanks in advance!

[Dom147]

this thread goes into great detail as to what's required: https://www.2addicts.com/forums/show....php?t=1079766

But to put it short, you need to get some spacer since the m thrust rm bushings are not as wide as the stock f2x/f3x arms. This also helps with caster. I forget what the exact measurements were needed for the spacers used but i did have to machine them in order for them to fit bc the size I bought was just a hair too large. I highly recommend fully reading the thread before buying anything.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by Dom147

this thread goes into great detail as to what's required: https://www.2addicts.com/forums/show....php?t=1079766

But to put it short, you need to get some spacer since the m thrust rm bushings are not as wide as the stock f2x/f3x arms. This also helps with caster. I forget what the exact measurements were needed for the spacers used but i did have to machine them in order for them to fit bc the size I bought was just a hair too large. I highly recommend fully reading the thread before buying anything.

Thanks for that thread. Interesting stuff, although some beyond my understanding. My research found this package for the F22, including the 228i:

https://www.bimmerworld.com/F8X-Fron...Assembled.html

I called them and spoke with a tech expert and he pointed out that as I already have the M2 LCAs, I could just have this thrust arm part of the package installed which they do sell separately for right and left sides. Note that they do swap out the M rubber bushing for non-M bushings made of urethane to fit, apparently without spacers needed, if I understand it properly.

https://www.bimmerworld.com/Suspensi...122284532.html

Much appreciate your further thoughts. Seems they figured out how to make this "plug and play" and I would just have to hand the two thrust arms over to the dealer's technician to install and then have them do the alignment with the plus 1 degree of negative camber. (plus .5 degree per side)?

Thanks again.

[Sportstick]

The thrust arms went in today. The lower control arms have been in for years. Got a call that they cannot get the car to align on the left side The diagnosis for my 10 year old car that 95% of the time has only me in it is that it needs a new left side negative spin bearing, due to age. They cannot say for sure this is a result of uneven wear over a decade due to my weight on one side only or partially due to the new geometry of the M2 thrust arms being added, but that's the diagnosis...$1600 for parts coming from Germany. Any expert opinions on this, please?

[Dom147]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

The thrust arms went in today. The lower control arms have been in for years. Got a call that they cannot get the car to align on the left side The diagnosis for my 10 year old car that 95% of the time has only me in it is that it needs a new left side negative spin bearing, due to age. They cannot say for sure this is a result of uneven wear over a decade due to my weight on one side only or partially due to the new geometry of the M2 thrust arms being added, but that's the diagnosis...$1600 for parts coming from Germany. Any expert opinions on this, please?

I'm confused, what exactly isn't allowing them to align the left side? Like which bolts? On my 2014 228i, my shop recommended That I replace my rear camber and toe bolts since they looked rusty and were seizing a bit. I ended up replacing them myself then took it back to the shop to be aligned. What exactly is a negative spin bearing?

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by Dom147

I'm confused, what exactly isn't allowing them to align the left side? Like which bolts? On my 2014 228i, my shop recommended That I replace my rear camber and toe bolts since they looked rusty and were seizing a bit. I ended up replacing them myself then took it back to the shop to be aligned. What exactly is a negative spin bearing?

I was confused as well and just got the right answer from the parts source. Apparently the earlier target of an additional 0.5 degrees of negative camber is incorrect and not physically achieveable now. Everyone now agrees on that. The apparent target should have been -1 to -2 degrees that can be set for right and left. Going back to the dealer for this re-do. Thanks!

The part the dealer thought was going to be needed is:

https://parts.bmwoforlandpark.com/p/...216853649.html

But, I know understand this is not the answer.

[Dom147]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

I was confused as well and just got the right answer from the parts source. Apparently the earlier target of an additional 0.5 degrees of negative camber is incorrect and not physically achieveable now. Everyone now agrees on that. The apparent target should have been -1 to -2 degrees that can be set for right and left. Going back to the dealer for this re-do. Thanks!

The part the dealer thought was going to be needed is:

https://parts.bmwoforlandpark.com/p/...216853649.html

But, I know understand this is not the answer.

Wow, they tried setting your camber to -.5??!😂

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by Dom147

Wow, they tried setting your camber to -.5??!��

That was the spec given, but it was expressed as an additional -0.5 degrees beyond the factory spec. Somehow, somewhere, everything got confused. I'm going back tomorrow morning for the fix. Thanks again!

[jb-slow]

Simple camber plates would give you a lot more adjustment without mixing and matching all those parts. I went with camber plates and stuck Turner's monoballs on the thrust arms, easy stuff.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by jb-slow

Simple camber plates would give you a lot more adjustment without mixing and matching all those parts. I went with camber plates and stuck Turner's monoballs on the thrust arms, easy stuff.

Thanks. The parts were the easy part. The tech got confused by the instructions on the RO that the Advisor wrote.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

Thanks. The parts were the easy part. The tech got confused by the instructions on the RO that the Advisor wrote.

Resolved this morning. Front camber was set to -1.2 degrees right and left.

[HP Autosport]

If the joints are good, just get the adjustable Whiteline Performance tension arm bushings. You will get .5 of caster adjustment in either direction.