E28 M5 Sway Bar Bushings

[craigrhyne]

I just replaced my stock M5 sway bar bushings with Powerflex polyurethane ones, and I'm so impressed with the handling improvement that I thought I'd share

After replacing the entire suspension in my E28 M5, I wasn't quite happy with the amount of body role it exhibited in tight corners. The Powerflex USA website does not list a polyurethane front sway bar bushing for the E28 M5 (25mm bar), and generic poly bushings don't have the curved mounting surface that the E28 M5 mounts require. After doing a bit of digging, I ran across the UK Powerflex website and discovered that they list a 25mm E28 front sway bar bushing which, low and behold, has the same part number as the US E34 M5 bushings. Curious, I called up Beastpower and ordered the E34 M5 25mm front sway bar bushings and rear E28 M5 18mm sway bar bushings. After a long wait (part of the factory burned down) the bushings arrived. As of right now, I've only installed the front bushings and I couldn't be happier. NVH did not increase at all, and handling was vastly improved. Keep in mind that I went from new OEM rubber bushings to Powerflex bushings.

This might be a re-post or common knowledge, but I performed a quick search of the M5 section and didn't run across any similar posts.

Happy Motoring,
Craig Rhyne

[grbbenny]

Would you mind sharing the part numbers? I can see the front bushings on UK/US site but don't see the listing for the 19 mm rear bushings for the E28?

Thanks.

[craigrhyne]

Would you mind sharing the part numbers? I can see the front bushings on UK/US site but don't see the listing for the 19 mm rear bushings for the E28?

Thanks.

The front PN is: PFF5-310-25
The rear PN is: PFR5-308-18

The rear is an 18mm bushing.

Thanks,
Craig Rhyne

[wkohler]

Thanks for posting that. I used the energy suspension bushings from Summit and a flat plate to go across the mount. I've always thought it was a bit hokey, so I'd love some more info on these.

[craigrhyne]

Thanks for posting that. I used the energy suspension bushings from Summit and a flat plate to go across the mount. I've always thought it was a bit hokey, so I'd love some more info on these.

Is there anything in particular you would like to know? The bushings fit perfectly and they are a cool purple color... What more could you want?

Thanks,
Craig Rhyne[/i]

[cfalco]

Thanks for the tip. I may try those - could always use less body roll - got to keep up with those minivans in the twisties.

[MShimon]

Great info! I will definitely check these out when mine are due, which is soon.

[classic5]

I looked on the UK website but the item number for the front is listed as PFR5-310-25 . Is this correct for the front ? Also am i correct in saying that all of the aftermarket sway bars are thinner than the factory bars on the E28/M5 ? Is their an upgrade to thicker bars with adjustment abilities ?

[derrith]

I looked on the UK website but the item number for the front is listed as PFR5-310-25 . Is this correct for the front ? Also am i correct in saying that all of the aftermarket sway bars are thinner than the factory bars on the E28/M5 ? Is their an upgrade to thicker bars with adjustment abilities ?

ST makes a 25/19 adjustable set.

[t_brannies84533i]

I also just ordered a set for the m5 sway bars i should be receiving tomorrow, does anyone know if I can use the stock brackets on my 533i? thanks

[grbbenny]

I've gone around and around with Powerflex on the proper sway bar bushings for my M5 and they eventually decided that the correct part numbers are:

Front: PFR5-504-25

Rear: PFR5-308-18

[M5BB]

I just installed these bushings a little over a week ago but have been on vacation and have not driven the car where i can push it. Normal ride is fine and not harsh.
They did send the wrong bushings for the rear bar and i had to exchange them out.
One problem i did have was getting the bushing in the rear passenger side. These suckers are a tight fit and there is not much room on that side because of the gas tank.
I finally got some Vise-Grips on the bracket to hold it closed tight enough to get the bolt back in. Was not easy so be prepared to spend some time on this.

[t_brannies84533i]

I really need to know what brackets to use on my 533 for the m5 sway bars I already know the m5 brackets have two bolt holes and the 533i ones only have one bolt hole... Someone has to know, there are these things on m5s:SUPPORTING BRACKET STABILIZER part#41112230014 that I have heard about, but have no idea how this works. Thanks for any help

[M5BB]

I'm not positive about this but i don't think you can use the stock mounts for these bars.
They are so much stiffer they will rip the brackets off the frame.
Yes the m5 brackets have two bolt holes but the clip that goes over the top to hold the bushing only has one hole and uses only one bolt.
I don't know what that part you listed does. My m5 didn't have one.
You might want to look into this further.
Just my opinion.

[t_brannies84533i]

Yea.... I am definitely going to wait until until I am for sure on how this swap is supposed to be done, I know that someone has done it before. If I have to have my bro weld the bitch on, then so be it. What about the rear brackets? Which ones should I use for them?

[Philo]

I have the Dinan sway bars 25/19 and reinforcement kit. Basically they supplied a piece of flat steel plate that was notched so it would fit into the square opening on the stock rear support bracket so you can get a clean butt weld. You could easily make this metal plate piece and weld it in place.., don't forget to remove the fuel tank and lines.... the go right over the top of the passenger side rear bracket.

As for using the 535 holding bracket with M5 sways.., I can't say. I looked at the 535 parts view and it looks just like the M5 piece.., but we all know how BMW uses that same parts view for various models. Did you post with the 535 guys rather then on the M5 board.

What I've done in the past when I'm totally stuck and no new information is out there is buy the parts and see if they fit. If they don't, return them. Do this with the dealer so you don't have to pay for shipping.., but check with them first about returning the items..., or keep the part and modify it to fit. I did this with slave cylinders on my 6 speed trans and traded three different slaves with the dealer until I figured out which one fit. The problem with doing custom projects is the parts some times need to be re-engineered. Once you walk away from stock you run this risk ! If I ever sell my car I'm going to have create a custom parts catalog for the new owner

Here's a pic of the Dinan rear sway, maybe it will help. I'd call Dinan. They've already done all the sway bar engineering and should be able to tell you what bracket will work with what bushing. These parts were on their Web site as little as a few years ago. I'm sure they have the info still. Just ask for someone who knows the e28s.

http://phil.files.infostreet.com/M5_Ima ... rsway1.JPG

[dunnojack]

I have the Dinan sway bars 25/19 and reinforcement kit. Basically they supplied a piece of flat steel plate that was notched so it would fit into the square opening on the stock rear support bracket so you can get a clean butt weld. You could easily make this metal plate piece and weld it in place.., don't forget to remove the fuel tank and lines.... the go right over the top of the passenger side rear bracket.

As for using the 535 holding bracket with M5 sways.., I can't say. I looked at the 535 parts view and it looks just like the M5 piece.., but we all know how BMW uses that same parts view for various models. Did you post with the 535 guys rather then on the M5 board.

What I've done in the past when I'm totally stuck and no new information is out there is buy the parts and see if they fit. If they don't, return them. Do this with the dealer so you don't have to pay for shipping.., but check with them first about returning the items..., or keep the part and modify it to fit. I did this with slave cylinders on my 6 speed trans and traded three different slaves with the dealer until I figured out which one fit. The problem with doing custom projects is the parts some times need to be re-engineered. Once you walk away from stock you run this risk ! If I ever sell my car I'm going to have create a custom parts catalog for the new owner

Here's a pic of the Dinan rear sway, maybe it will help. I'd call Dinan. They've already done all the sway bar engineering and should be able to tell you what bracket will work with what bushing. These parts were on their Web site as little as a few years ago. I'm sure they have the info still. Just ask for someone who knows the e28s.

http://phil.files.infostreet.com/M5_Ima ... rsway1.JPG

are these dinan sways made for the M5? the ones i have doesnt have those metal brackets. i'm kinda curious as to what version i have, seems like there were different ones released?

[Philo]

Mine were purchased from Dinan, through Long Beach BMW, for the e28 M5.

[Rich Euro M5]

Yea.... I am definitely going to wait until until I am for sure on how this swap is supposed to be done, I know that someone has done it before. If I have to have my bro weld the bitch on, then so be it. What about the rear brackets? Which ones should I use for them?

The rear swaybar brackets on the 533i are completely different than those on the later 535i and M5. You'll need to fabricate a triangular reinforcement which will need to be welded to the existing bracket and the floor pan.

Another possible problem, the later E28s all utilize a rear diff with an offset mount. Due to this offset, the portion of the rear swaybar which clears the diff mount is offset as well. Some early manufacturers produced swaybars that would work in early and later E28s. You'll need to visually confirm the rear swaybar you have will clear the centered diff mount used on the 533i.

HTH

Rich

[t_brannies84533i]

that's very helpful. so do I use the m5 brackets in the rear? then weld re-enforcement....

[craigrhyne]

I've gone around and around with Powerflex on the proper sway bar bushings for my M5 and they eventually decided that the correct part numbers are:

Front: PFR5-504-25

Rear: PFR5-308-18

I ordered the following bushings for my car:

Front PN is: PFF5-310-25
Rear PN is: PFR5-308-18

They are installed and fit perfectly. I have the boxes with the part #'s sitting in front of me.

Thanks,
Craig Rhyne

[grbbenny]

I ordered the following bushings for my car:

Front PN is: PFF5-310-25
Rear PN is: PFR5-308-18

They are installed and fit perfectly. I have the boxes with the part #'s sitting in front of me.

Thanks,
Craig Rhyne

Based on what you posted earlier, that is what I initially ordered. I then got a follow-up email from them saying they checked the order and substituted the different front bushing. I'm going to be pissed if the new one does not fit!

[craigrhyne]

Interesting.. When I placed my order I received an email confirming that I wanted to order one set of bushings meant for an E28 and one set meant for an E34. I told them I'd done my research and that I knew exactly what I wanted.

..they fit perfect and sure did make the car handle nicely!

I ordered the following bushings for my car:

Front PN is: PFF5-310-25
Rear PN is: PFR5-308-18

They are installed and fit perfectly. I have the boxes with the part #'s sitting in front of me.

Thanks,
Craig Rhyne

Based on what you posted earlier, that is what I initially ordered. I then got a follow-up email from them saying they checked the order and substituted the different front bushing. I'm going to be pissed if the new one does not fit!

[dunnojack]

you wouldnt happen to have any extras would yah?

[grbbenny]

Interesting.. When I placed my order I received an email confirming that I wanted to order one set of bushings meant for an E28 and one set meant for an E34. I told them I'd done my research and that I knew exactly what I wanted.

..they fit perfect and sure did make the car handle nicely!

I ordered the following bushings for my car:

Front PN is: PFF5-310-25
Rear PN is: PFR5-308-18

They are installed and fit perfectly. I have the boxes with the part #'s sitting in front of me.

Thanks,
Craig Rhyne

Based on what you posted earlier, that is what I initially ordered. I then got a follow-up email from them saying they checked the order and substituted the different front bushing. I'm going to be pissed if the new one does not fit!

Consider me pissed. These finally showed up and the front bushings do not fit - not even close. Now for the agony of exchanging them for the ones I ordered in the first place.

[Philo]

Consider me pissed. These finally showed up and the front bushings do not fit - not even close. Now for the agony of exchanging them for the ones I ordered in the first place.

I called them a couple weeks ago and gave them the part numbers that Craig listed... This is their reply.

-------------------------------
The PFF5-310-25 is available under our E36 3 Series listing -
http://store.powerflexusa.com/bmw-e36-3 ... e-bushings
-p26.aspx

The PFR5-308-18 is available under our E30 3 Series listing -
http://store.powerflexusa.com/bmw-e30-3 ... e-bushings
-p1.aspx

You say you have the 88M5, bar sizes Front - 25mm, Rear - 19mm. Those are the stock diameter bar sized for an E28 M5. We have those bar sizes included in our E28 5 Series listing -

http://store.powerflexusa.com/bmw-e28-5 ... eries-1983
---1989-urethane-bushings-p56.aspx

$44.99 per set. We will have to special order these bushings from the UK requiring a 4-6 week lead time. Please contact us with your information if you would like to place an order for these parts.
---------------------------


So what did you get ?

[grbbenny]

So what did you get ?

They sent me the rear bushings as ordered (PFR5-308-18) but they changed my original order for the front (PFF5-310-25) to PFR5-504-25.

[1st 5er]

Who is it again we're not going to be ordering parts from?

[Philo]

I'll buy from them but want to get the part number thing worked out...

[M5BB]

I can verify the fronts are
PFF-5-310-25.
I have those installed.
They sent the wrong rear ones and I got the right ones but threw away the box so no number.
The rear ones were pretty hard to install.