SPL FLCA TSB released

[Track/S]

Originally Posted by NORAGRETS

Would these fit on a f80?

Yes

Originally Posted by NORAGRETS

These are shockingly inexpensive

Yes, almost all BMW Motorsport parts are not excessively expensive

Originally Posted by NORAGRETS

What are the part numbers for the front linkage?

BMW Motorsport fronts are too short, I make them a little longer

[FaRKle!]

I looked into BMW motorsport arms at one point, and from discussions with a BMW motorsport engineer that's an acquaintance, he discouraged me from using them saying their spherical bearings wouldn't last very long.

[Track/S]

Originally Posted by FaRKle!

I looked into BMW motorsport arms at one point, and from discussions with a BMW motorsport engineer that's an acquaintance, he discouraged me from using them saying their spherical bearings wouldn't last very long.

I'm sorry but you must have spoken to some charlatan... What that "engineer" told you is truly outrageous.

For some reason they are the most expensive on the market.

[medphysdave]

Originally Posted by FaRKle!

I looked into BMW motorsport arms at one point, and from discussions with a BMW motorsport engineer that's an acquaintance, he discouraged me from using them saying their spherical bearings wouldn't last very long.

This is all timely discussion as I was just researching rod ends and spherical bearings trying to determine what makes a quality piece. Did your acquaintance put in context why they wouldn't last long? I would expect on a dedicated track car that they might not. On a daily driver maybe there is concern about dirt and debris. However, if you aren't frequently driving in the wet, then I'd reason that a motorsport part that isn't subjected to motorsport abuse might last reasonably well on a road car.

In the US QA1 makes spherical bearings and rod ends. They'll even make custom units. I wonder how their offerings compare?

Do we know who makes the BMW motorsport part. Track/S has them in hand and uses them. I feel he can speak to how they perform in practice and not theory.

As a person not well versed in either with this parts I'm curious as to what makes manufacturer A better than B?

[Track/S]

Originally Posted by medphysdave

This is all timely discussion as I was just researching rod ends and spherical bearings trying to determine what makes a quality piece. Did your acquaintance put in context why they wouldn't last long? I would expect on a dedicated track car that they might not. On a daily driver maybe there is concern about dirt and debris. However, if you aren't frequently driving in the wet, then I'd reason that a motorsport part that isn't subjected to motorsport abuse might last reasonably well on a road car.

In the US QA1 makes spherical bearings and rod ends. They'll even make custom units. I wonder how their offerings compare?

Do we know who makes the BMW motorsport part. Track/S has them in hand and uses them. I feel he can speak to how they perform in practice and not theory.

As a person not well versed in either with this parts I'm curious as to what makes manufacturer A better than B?

Not only do I have them mounted, about 10 more F8Xs...

Here you have the brand's that BMW Motorsport uses:


















And here spl garbage:






They had to change the monoball because it had play (installed with less time than mine), after changing it it lasted 2 laps on the track, it almost destroyed the car...

[RugbyBro]

Originally Posted by FaRKle!

So update to this...

A friend's shop called me on Friday and said, "Hey FaRKle! by chance do you have any extra SPL bolts or studs?"

"I actually do have the stud retrofit kit for my SPL LCA, but haven't installed it yet, why?"

*receives picture of new SPL stud sheared in half*

"We installed this SPL stud, torqued to 180ft-lbs as the instructions say, and while we were working on the other side (before the car was put on the ground) heard a *pop* noise and noticed the stud had broken!"


After calling SPL about it (who overnighted them a new set of studs, but they had a track day the following morning), SPL instructed them to only torque to 160ft-lbs now...

Any update on this? I installed their tie-rod ends which now look to use the same stud design as the FLCA. I've torqued them to 160 ft/lbs - wondering if anything official came out related to the 180 ft/lbs.

[chrisjguzman]

Originally Posted by RugbyBro

Any update on this? I installed their tie-rod ends which now look to use the same stud design as the FLCA. I've torqued them to 160 ft/lbs - wondering if anything official came out related to the 180 ft/lbs.

I called them about this and they said torque to 180 ft/lbs but I still torqued both my new FLCA & tie rods studs to 160 ft/lbs

[RbBugBitMe]

What's the OD of their spherical? Or the part number if someone has it.

[RugbyBro]

Originally Posted by RbBugBitMe

What's the OD of their spherical? Or the part number if someone has it.

Don't know the OD off hand but it's this bearing: https://www.splparts.com/products/cm10t.html