Are these FCAB's shot?

Steeler · 12-28-2015, 03:52 PM

I think they are judging by the cracked rubber.

Recommendations for spirited driving?

XMetal · 12-28-2015, 03:55 PM

They looked toast. Since they're out, why not just replace it for the peace of mind?

inTgr8r · 12-28-2015, 04:13 PM

LOL..... those are utterly and completely toasted.

I love the superflex that I have on my car, it was amazing how much it improved feel and steering inputs.
I'm not sure if they have a non-offset model, but there must be other poly options out there.

Steeler · 12-28-2015, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

LOL..... those are utterly and completely toasted.

I love the superflex that I have on my car, it was amazing how much it improved feel and steering inputs.
I'm not sure if they have a non-offset model, but there must be other poly options out there.

Thanks Ian.
Darn auto fill changed the O to an I

Does the poly squeak?

WickedNy · 12-28-2015, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XMetal

They looked toast. Since they're out, why not just replace it for the peace of mind?

I have poly on mine, once a year I lube it up with copper anti-seize and zero squeaks

inTgr8r · 12-28-2015, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbarton62

Thanks Ian.
Darn auto fill changed the O to an I

Does the poly squeak?

I haven't lubed mine since they were installed over 2yrs go and I have had no squeaks at all.
The superflex are a 2 part bush with the centre piece rotating within the other.
The centre is made with spiral groves that holds the grease well long term.

itdnwiwbp · 12-28-2015, 10:58 PM

Just out of curiosity, haven't had to replace (justify to significant other) replacement of FCABs, how are they lubed? Do you removed them annually or can they be lubed effectively while in place?

StickMon · 12-28-2015, 11:39 PM

And if anybody knows of a current US source for the superflex please share.
Not sure if these are the same, and are also out of the UK.

OH. In answer to the OP's original question: Yes, very much.

inTgr8r · 12-29-2015, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by itdnwiwbp

Just out of curiosity, haven't had to replace (justify to significant other) replacement of FCABs, how are they lubed? Do you removed them annually or can they be lubed effectively while in place?

The OE are not lubed.
For the poly, just drop the lollipop and they pull apart easily.

pokeybritches · 12-29-2015, 07:48 AM

I've had good results with the BavAuto HD version that comes pre-pressed in the brackets. All street miles.

Edit: Are the headers off the car? Does this mean good things are coming?

GuidoK · 12-29-2015, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbarton62

Thanks Ian.
Darn auto fill changed the O to an I

Does the poly squeak?

I installed my powerflex ones almost 5 years ago now, never had to re-lubricate and still no squeaks or wear; still feel like new(I obviously lubricated them during install with the supplied copper grease). Never had any issues on a car that is driven pretty hard.
excellent product.

Twixboy · 12-29-2015, 10:27 AM

Wow, and I thought mine were bad at 58k miles. I probably had only 25% of the cracking you do, but I replaced them anyways. I replaced them with Meyle HD which are fine for me, but you might want to listen to the people who actually drive hard.

Steeler · 12-29-2015, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GuidoK

I installed my powerflex ones almost 5 years ago now, never had to re-lubricate and still no squeaks or wear; still feel like new(I obviously lubricated them during install with the supplied copper grease). Never had any issues on a car that is driven pretty hard.
excellent product.

There is no need to D&T for a zerk then??
As a maintenance provision.

GuidoK · 12-29-2015, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbarton62

D&T for a zerk

What does that mean?

Steeler · 12-29-2015, 10:43 AM

drill and tap for a grease fitting?

GuidoK · 12-29-2015, 11:17 AM

No.
Just install as in the manual.
Press in the outer (shore95a) black bushing in the lollypop (maybe you can even do this with a big vise), and lube the inner purple bushing part with the copper grease.

A grease fitting also won't work. The outer bushing is pressed in the lollypop, but it still is a rubber piece. Over time theoretically it could rotate a bit thus blocking a potential grease fitting.

I don't daily drive my car, it's more of a summer car (the winters are pretty much all rain here where I live) so it gets limited miles (about5-7k miles a year). But with that useage I have had no problems/issues the last 5 years.

But that said my whole car is polybushed, had I havent had a squeak from any of them. Most other pu bushings have an inner steel core and where the core touches the polyurethane, the polyurethane is usually knurled (like a knurl pattern) to fill/store some copper grease.

Maybe if you do a lot of winter driving in snow&rain or use your car as an all terrain vehicle (driving through shallow rivers etc) the grease can be washed away, but imho with normal use the copper grease is though and thick enough to stay in its place and lubricate the moving parts.
Even the sway bar bushings, which are smooth on the inside I believe (just like the OEM design) dont make any noise with some copper grease applied.
So I don't know where those stories come form. Either using the car in a vastly different manner than I do, or not installing them correctly (although I can't imagine installing them wrongly, the instructions are written in such a matter that a toddler can understand them)

Steeler · 12-29-2015, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GuidoK

No.
Maybe if you do a lot of winter driving in snow&rain or use your car as an all terrain vehicle (driving through shallow rivers etc) the grease can be washed away

Nope strictly summer and no rain if I can help it

Beedub · 12-29-2015, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

The OE are not lubed.
For the poly, just drop the lollipop and they pull apart easily.

are these a DIY install?? looks pretty simple tbh....

can you give me some info on this?

inTgr8r · 12-29-2015, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beedub

are these a DIY install?? looks pretty simple tbh....

can you give me some info on this?

I've done a few of these, usually the worst part is getting the OE off.

You need a 3 arm puller to remove them.
Then you need to press them out of the lollipop & press the new ones in.

I was able to do it with a large bench vise.

Mirko · 12-29-2015, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

I've done a few of these, usually the worst part is getting the OE off.

You need a 3 arm puller to remove them.
Then you need to press them out of the lollipop & press the new ones in.

I was able to do it with a large bench vise.

Ian knows his stuff

No squeaks for me either.

bignosejim · 12-30-2015, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StickMon

And if anybody knows of a current US source for the superflex please share.
Not sure if these are the same, and are also out of the UK.

OH. In answer to the OP's original question: Yes, very much.

I couldn't find a US source, but here is the Superfex website part they look to be the same as those ebay ones. Here is another Zpost thread about Superflex.

Steenos · 02-19-2016, 09:05 PM

dbarton, bringing up an old thread. What did you end up going with for bushings? I'm looking at doing this job soon. How was the removal/install?

12-28-2015, 03:52 PM	#1
Steeler Colonel 2428 Rep 2,704 Posts Drives: Built not Bought 04 Z4 VF Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Kitchener Ontario Canada iTrader: (2)	Are these FCAB's shot? I think they are judging by the cracked rubber. Recommendations for spirited driving? Attached Images __________________ W2A Intercooled Vortech V3Si, custom ducting, Alpha N, 60# Bosch,2.62 pulley, multi port WMI, Severn Tuning(pokeybritches), Tial, magnaflow,SS race muffler, 42 design,3.91LSD, H&R, Hotchkis,ST coils,Konis, Megan camber arms, AKG SS, Nylon mounts, Poly bushings, Carbon interior, CF Aero.APEX Last edited by Steeler; 12-28-2015 at 04:26 PM.. Reason: Spelling
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12-28-2015, 03:55 PM	#2
XMetal Colonel 1131 Rep 2,866 Posts Drives: Anything Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 Z4M Coupe [10.00] 2018 Audi S3 [0.00] 2004 X5 [8.50]	They looked toast. Since they're out, why not just replace it for the peace of mind?
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12-28-2015, 04:13 PM	#3
inTgr8r Lieutenant General 2426 Rep 11,667 Posts Drives: M2 Comp Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Toronto iTrader: (10)	LOL..... those are utterly and completely toasted. I love the superflex that I have on my car, it was amazing how much it improved feel and steering inputs. I'm not sure if they have a non-offset model, but there must be other poly options out there. __________________ '21 M2C Hockenheim Silver '18 718 Cayman S Lava Orange (sold) '13 E92 M3 Santorini Blue (sold) '07 Z4 M Coupe Alpine White (sold)
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12-28-2015, 10:58 PM	#7
itdnwiwbp Major 78 Rep 1,443 Posts Drives: 330iZHP Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Long Beach, CA iTrader: (10)	Just out of curiosity, haven't had to replace (justify to significant other) replacement of FCABs, how are they lubed? Do you removed them annually or can they be lubed effectively while in place? __________________
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12-28-2015, 11:39 PM	#8
StickMon My other car is on Mars 636 Rep 3,124 Posts Drives: 2006 MR Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Lo-Cal iTrader: (1)	And if anybody knows of a current US source for the superflex please share. Not sure if these are the same, and are also out of the UK. OH. In answer to the OP's original question: Yes, very much. __________________ Warning: May contain traces of nuts.
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12-29-2015, 07:48 AM	#10
pokeybritches Colonel 479 Rep 2,782 Posts Drives: ESS/G-Power Z4M, VF Z4, 996tt Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (12) Garage List 2006 BMW Z4M [10.00] 2006 BMW Z4M [8.50] 2003 BMW Z4 3.0i [9.00]	I've had good results with the BavAuto HD version that comes pre-pressed in the brackets. All street miles. Edit: Are the headers off the car? Does this mean good things are coming? __________________ VF Engineering Z4 3.0i, ESS Z4M, G-Power Z4M, 996 Turbo
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12-29-2015, 10:27 AM	#12
Twixboy Captain 124 Rep 904 Posts Drives: '04 Z4 3.0i 6spd Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: MA iTrader: (2)	Wow, and I thought mine were bad at 58k miles. I probably had only 25% of the cracking you do, but I replaced them anyways. I replaced them with Meyle HD which are fine for me, but you might want to listen to the people who actually drive hard.
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12-29-2015, 10:43 AM	#15
Steeler Colonel 2428 Rep 2,704 Posts Drives: Built not Bought 04 Z4 VF Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Kitchener Ontario Canada iTrader: (2)	drill and tap for a grease fitting? __________________ W2A Intercooled Vortech V3Si, custom ducting, Alpha N, 60# Bosch,2.62 pulley, multi port WMI, Severn Tuning(pokeybritches), Tial, magnaflow,SS race muffler, 42 design,3.91LSD, H&R, Hotchkis,ST coils,Konis, Megan camber arms, AKG SS, Nylon mounts, Poly bushings, Carbon interior, CF Aero.APEX
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12-29-2015, 11:17 AM	#16
GuidoK #buildnotbought 10834 Rep 4,890 Posts Drives: Z4 3.0i ESS TS2+ Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Tinkering in the garage iTrader: (0)	No. Just install as in the manual. Press in the outer (shore95a) black bushing in the lollypop (maybe you can even do this with a big vise), and lube the inner purple bushing part with the copper grease. A grease fitting also won't work. The outer bushing is pressed in the lollypop, but it still is a rubber piece. Over time theoretically it could rotate a bit thus blocking a potential grease fitting. I don't daily drive my car, it's more of a summer car (the winters are pretty much all rain here where I live) so it gets limited miles (about5-7k miles a year). But with that useage I have had no problems/issues the last 5 years. But that said my whole car is polybushed, had I havent had a squeak from any of them. Most other pu bushings have an inner steel core and where the core touches the polyurethane, the polyurethane is usually knurled (like a knurl pattern) to fill/store some copper grease. Maybe if you do a lot of winter driving in snow&rain or use your car as an all terrain vehicle (driving through shallow rivers etc) the grease can be washed away, but imho with normal use the copper grease is though and thick enough to stay in its place and lubricate the moving parts. Even the sway bar bushings, which are smooth on the inside I believe (just like the OEM design) dont make any noise with some copper grease applied. So I don't know where those stories come form. Either using the car in a vastly different manner than I do, or not installing them correctly (although I can't imagine installing them wrongly, the instructions are written in such a matter that a toddler can understand them) __________________ Z4 3.0i \| ESS TS2+ supercharger \| Quaife ATB LSD \| Brembo/BMW performance BBK front/rear \| Schrick FI cams \| Schmiedmann headers+cats \| Powerflex/strongflex PU bushings \| Vibra-technics engine mounts \| H&R anti rollbars \| KW V3 coilovers/KW camber plates \| Sachs race engineering clutch \| tons of custom sh#t
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02-19-2016, 09:05 PM	#22
Steenos Lieutenant 56 Rep 588 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4M Coupe Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Tennessee iTrader: (0) Garage List 2021 BMW M240i [0.00] 2007 M Coupe [0.00]	dbarton, bringing up an old thread. What did you end up going with for bushings? I'm looking at doing this job soon. How was the removal/install? __________________ 2021 m240i on order
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