Sway Bars? Do they Need Replacing?

[V-10 4 Me]

Granted i'm not a mechanic.

I contacted a reputable Sway Bar manufacturer who showed me that the origional Sway Bars on our M5's are 27 mm front and 17 mm Rear. they have soft rubber bushings and have lots of flex. The replacement from Eibach are about $500. and are 28 mm front and 18 mm rear. Not much difference for $ 500 He also said that BMW front Sway bars are hollow, for lighter front end weight.

He then went on to say that we should see and feel a considerable difference if we simply change the bushings to silicone. He said the sway bars we currently have couple with the Poly eurathane bushings should keep our beasts more level and frim in hard cornering.

He suggested that we try the bushings first to see if it solves our body roll issues.

Where can we get bushings?

Also, would be a good idea to get new and stronger Brackets like Beast Powers

[mottati]

I wonder if he meant polyurethane? I've never heard of silicone bushings (not that that means anything). I have used polyurethane bushings however. They certainly allow the swaybars to be more effective, but they tend to get squeaky. Me, I'm too lazy to disassemble everything to grease the bushings every 6 months or so. On my e46, i drilled a hole in the bushing and the bracket and screwed a little zerk fitting in to be able to pump some grease into the UUC sway bars i installed. Alas, i sold the car 3 mos after fitting the bars (although the bars still live in my shed) so i was never able to test my grease fittings. The guys at UUC thought it was a great idea, but if it would work, i don't see why they didn't already come that way...

Mike

[V-10 4 Me]

silicone... oops i meant -----> polyeurathane

see im not a mechanic

BeastPower is working on Polyurethane bushings for the rear sway bar. The bushings will be offered in several sizes in order to fit both the stock and aftermarket bars.

They should be avaliable in about 30 days.

Cheers.

[Chuckc]

Originally posted by Ocean-Side M5
silicone... oops i meant -----> polyeurathane

Sure you were not thinking about something else...?

[DZeckhausen]

Originally posted by Ocean-Side M5
I contacted a reputable Sway Bar manufacturer who showed me that the origional Sway Bars on our M5's are 27 mm front and 17 mm Rear. they have soft rubber bushings and have lots of flex. The replacement from Eibach are about $500. and are 28 mm front and 18 mm rear. Not much difference for $ 500 He also said that BMW front Sway bars are hollow, for lighter front end weight.

Don't know how reputable he really is! The M5 factory swaybar is most certainly not hollow. It weighs 16 pounds.

He then went on to say that we should see and feel a considerable difference if we simply change the bushings to silicone. He said the sway bars we currently have couple with the Poly eurathane bushings should keep our beasts more level and frim in hard cornering.

Again, not true. The addition of ployurathane bushings will transmit more noise into the cabin and will squeak eventually, unless you make provisions for greasing them. And any difference between these and the factory rubber bushings will be subtle.

These poly bushings are most effective when used to replace the end link bushings on American cars. But the M5 uses a zero-deflection end link rather than a big bad bolt with washers and four rubber bushings sandwiching the swaybar and and the mounting point on the spindle.

[V-10 4 Me]

I just ordered Eibach/Technik sway bars, and I beleive they come with the bushings...

Did I just waste $500.00 ?

I even thought I would attempt the install myself?

SAm

[DZeckhausen]

Originally posted by Ocean-Side M5
I just ordered Eibach/Technik sway bars, and I beleive they come with the bushings...

Did I just waste $500.00 ?

I even thought I would attempt the install myself?

You didn't waste your money! After all, you're getting new, stiffer bars in addition to those poly bushings.

If you're going to install them yourself, you may find my instructions on the web site to be useful: http://www.zeckhausen.com/howto/bmwe...eplacement.htm

[MIB]

Originally posted by DZeckhausen
[b]Don't know how reputable he really is! The M5 factory swaybar is most certainly not hollow. It weighs 16 pounds.

Hey DaveZ,

Don't know about most certainly. I'm 50% sure my S/A said the front one was not solid as well.

Mine is still at the dealer, I'll have to bring it back next time I'm in the Truck. YES it still was heavy, but maybe it still isn't fully solid. We might need to saw one in half to check. I suppose I wouldn't need to take the truck then. :

Anyway, Hollow or not, it did a crappy job compared to the ACS ones.

[DZeckhausen]

Originally posted by MIB
Hey DaveZ,

Don't know about most certainly. I'm 50% sure my S/A said the front one was not solid as well.

Mine is still at the dealer, I'll have to bring it back next time I'm in the Truck. YES it still was heavy, but maybe it still isn't fully solid. We might need to saw one in half to check. I suppose I wouldn't need to take the truck then.

I'm basing my assumption on bench pressing a bunch of swaybars over the years. You develop a sense of which bars are hollow and which aren't by the weight to size ratio and the sound they make when you bang them against something. Had plenty of opportunity to bang those M5 swaybars against the frame since they are so bloody difficult to remove and install from a car on jackstands (vs a lift).

As always, I could be wrong. It might be made of lead with a small, hollow core.

I'm all for cutting one in half to check! It's always fun to have file photos to pull out when the dealer (or some "reputable" swaybar vendor) tells us something we know is wrong. And it might be even more fun for some of you to see me eat my hat if it turns out I'm wrong and my "bat-sense" for swaybar density is beginning to fail me.

[MIB]

Hell Dave,

I just want to cut one in half.

Imagine the look on the Stealers Face.

I'll take one for the team. It's the only way we will all know 100% for sure.

Navy Seals,

Officer, "Son, why did you join the Navy Seals."

Recruit, "SIR, Cause I like to Blow Sh!T Up SIR."

[Chuckc]

Originally posted by DZeckhausen
I'm basing my assumption on bench pressing a bunch of swaybars over the years.

Is that in your home or shop gym?