[fubarian]

I just replaced the knuckle/spindle/hub/why-does-every-car-company-call-it-something-different rear passenger side plus a number of new hardware on both sides (bolts, M3 toe arms, M3 wishbone, new end links) and in a past life, its been "only when it has weight on it". Totally makes sense to not rip bushings and stuff that I didn't replace but I've noticed its ...difficult to torque everything down properly w/o having the car in the air, or at least without a wheel on.

I have a nice set of race ramps that makes it pretty easy to get to the usual suspects (most that take 122ft/lbs) but I have two questions - how in the world do you torque down the upper bolts for the wishbone/toe and do the end links need torqued ONLY when its on the ground? I have another car that this is all ...very easy to do, but this thing is quite ...tricky? I'm happy to do pictures and a full on write up, so please, ALL THE INFO, send it!

Also, humor me, because I've been finding different numbers for torque specs (e92 coupe) which gives me zero confidence that the ones I've done are right (at least nothing has snapped?)

Oh, and its worth mentioning, I'm also doing the wifes car, hopefully this weekend and doing a full suspension refresh so if there's differences on an E90 vs E92, those are helpful!

[Chapperss]

I seem to remember I jacked the hub up from under the wishbone/track control arm thingy (if not it was in that area, obvs not on the disc) where it joins the hub rather than putting the wheel on.

[335i54n]

its best to get ride height measurement before suspension work. put all together, leave bolt snug/loose, put the wheel back on and lower car, get your ride height(fender to center hub), jack up and remove wheel and jack up (may need to jack or jack stands) spindle up till youre at ride height and tighten all down.

[fubarian]

Originally Posted by 335i54n

its best to get ride height measurement before suspension work

Wish I could've, but I did the ole "lets do all the things!" including wheels but I think it'll work regardless. Most of the hardware was ....sortaaaa snug before I dropped it but I think I'll torque down what I can, take that measurement (I'll even cheat and use tape) and do what y'all suggested -- wheel off of course

[lowrydr310]

Originally Posted by 335i54n

its best to get ride height measurement before suspension work. put all together, leave bolt snug/loose, put the wheel back on and lower car, get your ride height(fender to center hub), jack up and remove wheel and jack up (may need to jack or jack stands) spindle up till youre at ride height and tighten all down.

If you jack the spindle up while the car is on jack stands, eventually the car will lift off the jack stands. That's ride height! There's no need to measure, and no way to alter the ride height of the hub/wheel with a jack.

I disconnect my sway bars when I do this, then reconnect after everything else is torqued at height.

[335i54n]

yeah that method doesnt work. think about what you're doing there, that method is more to check suspension travel at full compress to check for rubbing vs actual measurements.

[lowrydr310]

Originally Posted by 335i54n

yeah that method doesnt work. think about what you're doing there, that method is more to check suspension travel at full compress to check for rubbing vs actual measurements.

When you jack the spindle until the car lifts off the jack stand, that's not full compress. It's close enough to static ride height for torquing the suspension.

Go measure and share please. Maybe my cars were unique andy experience wasn't normal. I measured it first time replacing suspension components on one of my E90s, being extra careful to get it precise, and there was virtually no difference. The measurement from the center of the hub to the wheel well arch was exactly the same with the car on the ground and when I jacked the hub up until the car lifted off jackstands.