I used their rear trailing arm eccentrics to fix camber and toe on my e34 touring. They also work for e30. Never had an issue with squeaking, losing alignment, etc. and was able to adjust alignment on bmw’s rack to factory Mtech specs despite being 2+” lower than stock. All this to say they’ve a good company and reliable.
I need advice on how to get camber for street "spirited" driving on my xdrive f30? Do I go vac arms and camber plates? Is there something else I should know?
Hey Farkle, having gone with Millway, how did they compare with the K-Mac bushings? I'm on the Millway Street Camber but don't love the extra 'clunk'iness. Thinking of combing the K-Mac with the -0.5 degree wheel carrier. My car is X-Drive so I can't use the M3 control arm solution, a solution I loved on previous RWD BMWs.
The KMAC bushings will creak when the grease dries. Mainly noticeable when backing up out of a parking spot. I've been very happy with the Millway street camber plates for the past 30k miles. Mine haven't had any clunks. If you do go with the KMAC bushings, just make sure you're not too low. They can still cause a half shaft to pop if you are (I never had that happen though).
At 10:46 I talk about the noise, and have footage with it. Aside from that specific case you shouldn't notice any more noise over the OE bushing. There's no significant impact to ride quality with these. Maybe a bit more feeling in the steering, but it's subtle. Unless you're trying really hard to focus on it, you won't notice.
I am currently using these bushings but now getting a steadily worsening squeak after 5 months of use. K-mac unfortunately, is not a great source of information on how to resolve the issue. I am assuming the bushing needs a re-lube but wanted to get some feedback from another user. I assuming, using silicone-based grease, the metal cylinder is lubricated. But you mention lubricating the inside of the two locking rings. Is that correct? Since I've long lost the box, as for grease, was there a preference? Thanks.
Yeah, they creak when turning the steering wheel once the lube dries out. I only ever really noticed this at low speeds like in a parking lot or going in/out of my driveway. Since I only noticed the creak when turning, I thought it was more PU rubbing against the outer locking rings. If it's creaking with the suspension compressing and the arms moving up/down, then that'd be cylinder.
Have you heard of anyone putting an oil bypass filter (amsoil, etc) on any of the diesel BMW engines? The extra filtration doesn’t sound like a bad idea.
I think that's something to do with KMAC's site. I was getting something like that from them too the other day. Anyhow, I added a link to the product on ECS Tuning's site too.
I’m looking to put some lowering springs on my F22 (220i) to drop about 25mm-30mm front and back, would these (or power flex) bushings enable me to get -1 degree of camber, you think?
Do you know if these fit the M240i rwd F22? Their site says they fit the F23, but that's just a convertible F22. I emailed them and was told they wouldn't fit because it was an M car which has a different size bushing. I'm confused. Thank you for your help, and for the informative video.
I like these over the F8x arms since you can adjust the camber. For improved steering you really want to upgrade the tension strut bushing to a monoball though. That has a much greater effect than the wishbone/LCA.
Would you happen to know if these will work on an xDrive version (F22 M240i xDrive). ECS says its not compatible with the M240i xDrive. Are the control arms different for the RWD and xDrive?
@@FaRKle0079 Thanks for getting back to me on this. Eversince I changed my wheels to a wider wheel and slightly different offset I've been rubbing. Nothing worse and annoying as a wheel that rubs.Anyway, I appreciate your reply on this. As you know there isn't a whole lot of aftermarket parts for the 2 Series especially the non M variants. I've also watched your video where you compare 3 different camber plates. I was going to go with the Dinan plates but didn't want the added issues that come with camber plates. Thanks again. It's nice to have someone out there thats done the due diligence. Keep up the good work on your vids...very informative and direct.
@@FaRKle0079 Update: I ordered a set of these KMAC bushings from ECS and they arrived pretty quickly. Anyhow, just to let you know, they have not addressed the endcap issue. I will have to shave them down as well to fit under the end washers. Other than that, they seem to be of pretty high quality. I'll update once again after I install them.
@@wilson1356 Thanks for the follow up! Part of me wonders if ECS ordered them a while ago and just had them in stock. If it came direct from KMAC though that's kind of disappointing.
I did run these bushings in conjunction with the Millway camber plates for a decent amount of time. It wasn't needed to get the target camber I wanted though. That said, if you maxed out the camber plate, you'd be able to get additional camber by adding these.
@@FaRKle0079 Thanks for the info. Not to get too far off topic, but in comparing bushings with plates, with the bushings, once installed the car would then get an alignment and be left alone since re-adjusting the bushings means putting your head between the ground and a 3 ton machine suspended by a thing one buys when on sale (what could go wrong?) but with the MIllway plates, does the car need to be aligned each time the camber is adjusted?
@@thecasualdiyer6729 I got an alignment every time I adjusted either the bushings or camber plates. Camber plate adjustment should affect other alignment less than the bushings, but I just had everything checked and set to my specs each time anyways. I've heard others say that even adjusting camber plates on this platform also changes the toe, but I haven't checked myself.
Hi, I can ask you if it is correct to have eccentrics work in a different position between left and right. I have an f20 with a slight difference in camber and caster between left and right and as I would like to mount the eccentric bush LCAs to have a more negative camber, I would like to try to equalize the differences in caster and camber by playing up their positions, for example by turning the left eccentric clockwise and right eccentric counterclockwise, starting from the maximum camber position. What do you think about it?
It's OK if the position of the eccentric adjustment isn't the exact same on each side. I agree with your overall goal of adjusting the bushings such that the overall camber is the same side to side. I'd try to aim for even camber over even caster.
@@FaRKle0079 Thanks for answering me. So you share the idea that by turning the eccentrics on lca, clockwise or counterclockwise, you could also correct the caster in a certain limit, obviously reducing the maximum camber obtained.
@@FaRKle0079 Hi Farkle, always thanks for the replies. I would like to ask you what do you think of the powerflex pff5-1902g to be mounted on the F20 RWD. I saw how they are made and they have a steel cage dissolved in polyurethane. Do you know if they work well unlike other manufacturers? kmac is valid but difficult to get in Italy (high cost).
@@giuseppederrico5655 I have concerns with any design where there's just PU constraining the the fore/aft rocking movement of the arm when installed. If you have to go with a PU part like this, I'd get the stiffest PU (race version) to have the most strength in the flange supporting the arm outside of the hole.
Why not just taking the M4 Lower control arm ? These are ca 10mm longer and also bring ca 1 degree additional negative camber! (Not working on xdrive as i heard)
The F8x LCA/wishbone isn't adjustable like the KMAC, so you might not be able to get even camber side to side. It's a good option for RWD vehicles though for a "fit and forget" part.
FaRKle0079 don’t think 100% camber balance left to right is so important, if one side has 10 or 20’ more or less camber it shouldn’t really affect the ride
I used their rear trailing arm eccentrics to fix camber and toe on my e34 touring.
They also work for e30.
Never had an issue with squeaking, losing alignment, etc. and was able to adjust alignment on bmw’s rack to factory Mtech specs despite being 2+” lower than stock.
All this to say they’ve a good company and reliable.
I need advice on how to get camber for street "spirited" driving on my xdrive f30? Do I go vac arms and camber plates? Is there something else I should know?
I thought they improved with the design about the noise?
Hey Farkle, having gone with Millway, how did they compare with the K-Mac bushings? I'm on the Millway Street Camber but don't love the extra 'clunk'iness. Thinking of combing the K-Mac with the -0.5 degree wheel carrier. My car is X-Drive so I can't use the M3 control arm solution, a solution I loved on previous RWD BMWs.
The KMAC bushings will creak when the grease dries. Mainly noticeable when backing up out of a parking spot. I've been very happy with the Millway street camber plates for the past 30k miles. Mine haven't had any clunks.
If you do go with the KMAC bushings, just make sure you're not too low. They can still cause a half shaft to pop if you are (I never had that happen though).
@@FaRKle0079 Curious how wide a tire did you run in the front? When you say too low, are we talking 20-25mm or more like 40mm+?
Nice review 👍
Does these KMAC bushes produce any more noises or are less comfortable/harsher ?
At 10:46 I talk about the noise, and have footage with it. Aside from that specific case you shouldn't notice any more noise over the OE bushing. There's no significant impact to ride quality with these. Maybe a bit more feeling in the steering, but it's subtle. Unless you're trying really hard to focus on it, you won't notice.
I am currently using these bushings but now getting a steadily worsening squeak after 5 months of use. K-mac unfortunately, is not a great source of information on how to resolve the issue. I am assuming the bushing needs a re-lube but wanted to get some feedback from another user. I assuming, using silicone-based grease, the metal cylinder is lubricated. But you mention lubricating the inside of the two locking rings. Is that correct? Since I've long lost the box, as for grease, was there a preference?
Thanks.
Yeah, they creak when turning the steering wheel once the lube dries out. I only ever really noticed this at low speeds like in a parking lot or going in/out of my driveway. Since I only noticed the creak when turning, I thought it was more PU rubbing against the outer locking rings. If it's creaking with the suspension compressing and the arms moving up/down, then that'd be cylinder.
Have you heard of anyone putting an oil bypass filter (amsoil, etc) on any of the diesel BMW engines? The extra filtration doesn’t sound like a bad idea.
I can't say I've heard of this. I do a Blackstone oil analysis with every change and the stock filter is doing a good job.
Your link takes me to kmac then redirects to an ad!
I think that's something to do with KMAC's site. I was getting something like that from them too the other day.
Anyhow, I added a link to the product on ECS Tuning's site too.
FaRKle0079 cool vids man! Just thought I’d mention it incase you didn’t realize!
@@jimmydaboss96 I appreciate the heads up! Thanks.
I’m looking to put some lowering springs on my F22 (220i) to drop about 25mm-30mm front and back, would these (or power flex) bushings enable me to get -1 degree of camber, you think?
Yes, you should be able to get above -1deg after lowering (maybe up to -1.5deg) with these.
Do you know if these fit the M240i rwd F22? Their site says they fit the F23, but that's just a convertible F22. I emailed them and was told they wouldn't fit because it was an M car which has a different size bushing. I'm confused. Thank you for your help, and for the informative video.
Yes they fit RWD vehicles too. Both RWD and xDrive use the same bushing. It'll work on your F22.
Thanks
I have a bone stock RWD F30, would you recommend this over getting the F8X wishbones for better steering?
I like these over the F8x arms since you can adjust the camber. For improved steering you really want to upgrade the tension strut bushing to a monoball though. That has a much greater effect than the wishbone/LCA.
Would you happen to know if these will work on an xDrive version (F22 M240i xDrive). ECS says its not compatible with the M240i xDrive. Are the control arms different for the RWD and xDrive?
Yes it works on xDrive. The vehicle I had this on is a 328d xDrive, which uses the same LCA as your m240i xDrive.
@@FaRKle0079 Thanks for getting back to me on this. Eversince I changed my wheels to a wider wheel and slightly different offset I've been rubbing. Nothing worse and annoying as a wheel that rubs.Anyway, I appreciate your reply on this. As you know there isn't a whole lot of aftermarket parts for the 2 Series especially the non M variants. I've also watched your video where you compare 3 different camber plates. I was going to go with the Dinan plates but didn't want the added issues that come with camber plates. Thanks again. It's nice to have someone out there thats done the due diligence. Keep up the good work on your vids...very informative and direct.
@@FaRKle0079 Update: I ordered a set of these KMAC bushings from ECS and they arrived pretty quickly. Anyhow, just to let you know, they have not addressed the endcap issue. I will have to shave them down as well to fit under the end washers. Other than that, they seem to be of pretty high quality. I'll update once again after I install them.
@@wilson1356 Thanks for the follow up! Part of me wonders if ECS ordered them a while ago and just had them in stock. If it came direct from KMAC though that's kind of disappointing.
Did you use these bushing instead of the Millway camber plates or with the Millway camber plates to give the front tires more camber?
I did run these bushings in conjunction with the Millway camber plates for a decent amount of time. It wasn't needed to get the target camber I wanted though. That said, if you maxed out the camber plate, you'd be able to get additional camber by adding these.
@@FaRKle0079 Thanks for the info. Not to get too far off topic, but in comparing bushings with plates, with the bushings, once installed the car would then get an alignment and be left alone since re-adjusting the bushings means putting your head between the ground and a 3 ton machine suspended by a thing one buys when on sale (what could go wrong?) but with the MIllway plates, does the car need to be aligned each time the camber is adjusted?
@@thecasualdiyer6729 I got an alignment every time I adjusted either the bushings or camber plates. Camber plate adjustment should affect other alignment less than the bushings, but I just had everything checked and set to my specs each time anyways.
I've heard others say that even adjusting camber plates on this platform also changes the toe, but I haven't checked myself.
Hi, I can ask you if it is correct to have eccentrics work in a different position between left and right. I have an f20 with a slight difference in camber and caster between left and right and as I would like to mount the eccentric bush LCAs to have a more negative camber, I would like to try to equalize the differences in caster and camber by playing up their positions, for example by turning the left eccentric clockwise and right eccentric counterclockwise, starting from the maximum camber position. What do you think about it?
It's OK if the position of the eccentric adjustment isn't the exact same on each side. I agree with your overall goal of adjusting the bushings such that the overall camber is the same side to side. I'd try to aim for even camber over even caster.
@@FaRKle0079 Thanks for answering me. So you share the idea that by turning the eccentrics on lca, clockwise or counterclockwise, you could also correct the caster in a certain limit, obviously reducing the maximum camber obtained.
@@giuseppederrico5655 Yes, I agree that can work if you don't mind uneven camber.
@@FaRKle0079 Hi Farkle, always thanks for the replies. I would like to ask you what do you think of the powerflex pff5-1902g to be mounted on the F20 RWD. I saw how they are made and they have a steel cage dissolved in polyurethane. Do you know if they work well unlike other manufacturers?
kmac is valid but difficult to get in Italy (high cost).
@@giuseppederrico5655 I have concerns with any design where there's just PU constraining the the fore/aft rocking movement of the arm when installed. If you have to go with a PU part like this, I'd get the stiffest PU (race version) to have the most strength in the flange supporting the arm outside of the hole.
Why not just taking the M4 Lower control arm ? These are ca 10mm longer and also bring ca 1 degree additional negative camber!
(Not working on xdrive as i heard)
The F8x LCA/wishbone isn't adjustable like the KMAC, so you might not be able to get even camber side to side. It's a good option for RWD vehicles though for a "fit and forget" part.
FaRKle0079 don’t think 100% camber balance left to right is so important, if one side has 10 or 20’ more or less camber it shouldn’t really affect the ride
@@vollcare4076 I agree it doesn't matter much for a street car, but folks who track their car typically demand better matching.