Rear suspension strut - kaput? - Page 2

**alexk** · 08-11-2012, 08:24 AM

Well you could take the wheel out (~5mins of work) and check it.

It's simple as that.
I am not sure which other test could exist to tell you what is wrong on your suspension without taking a wheel out or seeing from underneath what is the problem.

**Mark CSL** · 08-11-2012, 10:46 AM

You can feel the spring in place from the back of the car they almost always brake at the bottom if its broken you will feel the broken part or a sharp end to the spring hope this helps

**CraigMillwardCroft** · 08-11-2012, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark CSL

You can feel the spring in place from the back of the car they almost always brake at the bottom if its broken you will feel the broken part or a sharp end to the spring hope this helps

Or your finger gets cut and bleeds is another way

Pip1968 · 08-11-2012, 11:07 PM

Well I took the wheels off both sides and the springs seem fine as well as the suspension strut and I have made the mistake of ordering a new strut in my haste. BMW wanted cash up front as it was a 'special order' so I do not think I will be able to get a refund.

So should I order another so that I at least have a pair of unwanted items or just hang on to the one in my 'store'

.

It must just have been a glitch with all that track work and weight onboard to and from Deutschland.

Bugger.

Pip

Pip1968 · 03-01-2013, 12:24 PM

As an update on this. BMW finally looked at this and after an inspection said that the drop on one side is within BMW's tolerance. WTF is that supposed to mean? It is down by an inch at least on one side.

Anyone know the tolerances? I could understand if it was a few mm but I am fuming to say the least.

Pip

**alexk** · 03-01-2013, 02:30 PM

What is causing the drop ?

Pip1968 · 03-01-2013, 03:33 PM

Exactly, what? It can only be the springs or/and the shocks or the points at which they attach. I have asked if they have looked at the subframe as I am not sure if that would cause it.

I am awaiting their advice in order that I can take it up with BMW direct. I have asked them what BMW's tolerances are for differences from one side to the other. Ridiculous.

Pip

Pip1968 · 03-01-2013, 06:34 PM

Well 10mm is the acceptable difference. Maybe it has settled but I know it will only be temporary so will have to have it out with them.

Pip

**alexk** · 03-01-2013, 08:23 PM

I would expect that on the left side it sits a bit higher than the right.
I think mine does that.

The reason is that the CSL is balanced to be LHD with a driver inside and then the weight distribution is perfect.
So when the driver is out of the car it's a bit heavier on the right side.
Now take into account that the RHD cars are heavier on the right side (yes your balance is a bit shit

) and there you go the 10mm tolerance.

Can you measure the distance between center of wheel to wheel arch for each side ?

Pip1968 · 04-01-2013, 12:40 PM

I will do when I get home on Monday. All sorts of tape measures, plumb lines and micrometers will be out.

Pip

08-11-2012, 08:24 AM	#11
alexk Driving it like I nicked it Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,784 Casino cash: $29969	Well you could take the wheel out (~5mins of work) and check it. It's simple as that. I am not sure which other test could exist to tell you what is wrong on your suspension without taking a wheel out or seeing from underneath what is the problem. __________________ www.clubcsl.com - I am a BMW Motorsport fan ! My youtube channel is here

08-11-2012, 10:46 AM	#12
Mark CSL CSL Register Uber-poster! Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Scotland Posts: 8,777 Casino cash: $42229	You can feel the spring in place from the back of the car they almost always brake at the bottom if its broken you will feel the broken part or a sharp end to the spring hope this helps __________________ www.procarkits.co.uk

03-01-2013, 02:30 PM	#16
alexk Driving it like I nicked it Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,784 Casino cash: $29969	What is causing the drop ? __________________ www.clubcsl.com - I am a BMW Motorsport fan ! My youtube channel is here

03-01-2013, 08:23 PM	#19
alexk Driving it like I nicked it Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,784 Casino cash: $29969	I would expect that on the left side it sits a bit higher than the right. I think mine does that. The reason is that the CSL is balanced to be LHD with a driver inside and then the weight distribution is perfect. So when the driver is out of the car it's a bit heavier on the right side. Now take into account that the RHD cars are heavier on the right side (yes your balance is a bit shit ) and there you go the 10mm tolerance. Can you measure the distance between center of wheel to wheel arch for each side ? __________________ www.clubcsl.com - I am a BMW Motorsport fan ! My youtube channel is here

08-11-2012, 11:07 PM	#14
Pip1968 S5, Sport Off, DSC M-track Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Kent, England Posts: 940 Casino cash: $8383	Well I took the wheels off both sides and the springs seem fine as well as the suspension strut and I have made the mistake of ordering a new strut in my haste. BMW wanted cash up front as it was a 'special order' so I do not think I will be able to get a refund. So should I order another so that I at least have a pair of unwanted items or just hang on to the one in my 'store' . It must just have been a glitch with all that track work and weight onboard to and from Deutschland. Bugger. Pip

03-01-2013, 12:24 PM	#15
Pip1968 S5, Sport Off, DSC M-track Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Kent, England Posts: 940 Casino cash: $8383	As an update on this. BMW finally looked at this and after an inspection said that the drop on one side is within BMW's tolerance. WTF is that supposed to mean? It is down by an inch at least on one side. Anyone know the tolerances? I could understand if it was a few mm but I am fuming to say the least. Pip

03-01-2013, 03:33 PM	#17
Pip1968 S5, Sport Off, DSC M-track Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Kent, England Posts: 940 Casino cash: $8383	Exactly, what? It can only be the springs or/and the shocks or the points at which they attach. I have asked if they have looked at the subframe as I am not sure if that would cause it. I am awaiting their advice in order that I can take it up with BMW direct. I have asked them what BMW's tolerances are for differences from one side to the other. Ridiculous. Pip

03-01-2013, 06:34 PM	#18
Pip1968 S5, Sport Off, DSC M-track Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Kent, England Posts: 940 Casino cash: $8383	Well 10mm is the acceptable difference. Maybe it has settled but I know it will only be temporary so will have to have it out with them. Pip

04-01-2013, 12:40 PM	#20
Pip1968 S5, Sport Off, DSC M-track Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Kent, England Posts: 940 Casino cash: $8383	I will do when I get home on Monday. All sorts of tape measures, plumb lines and micrometers will be out. Pip