MP HAS Install- Some DIY Tips

[maniz]

knightarmor, thanks for the pics. I plan on using a steel pipe, not PVC. And it would be to press the MPHAS sleeve onto the OEM strut, not to remove the OEM spring seat; that I will bang off with a 4lb stubby hammer I have, much as you did.

I need to figure out what ID to use for the steel pipe in order to install the MPHAS sleeve. I will take measurements before buying the pipe.

[maniz]

Originally Posted by jww///95

you might just want to put the collar in the over to warm it up to about 200* and see if the expansion is enough to just slip over the strut tube. Think ring gear install on a differential case. A little heat goes a long way.

Yeah that's a really good idea. I always try to use heat to make things easier in such cases. I might try that here.

[slaughter.mode]

Hey knightarmor

Thanks for posting this, I'm about to take my MPHAS install apart and do it again because for some reason the shop who has installed it twice now left it so that the driver side adjustment is sitting at near the bottom (2 threads left) while the passenger side is sitting about half way up the perch to achieve a "level" height. Even at that there's still a 3mm variance with passenger side being lower. They swore up and down that they pressed the perch on as far as it's supposed to go but I am feeling very doubtful. Should I just live with it? I mean I don't plan on slamming it but I feel like it's compromising the quality of the ride since one side is pressing the strut more than the other to achieve the same ride height.

[knightarmor]

Originally Posted by goaty

Hey knightarmor

Thanks for posting this, I'm about to take my MPHAS install apart and do it again because for some reason the shop who has installed it twice now left it so that the driver side adjustment is sitting at near the bottom (2 threads left) while the passenger side is sitting about half way up the perch to achieve a "level" height. Even at that there's still a 3mm variance with passenger side being lower. They swore up and down that they pressed the perch on as far as it's supposed to go but I am feeling very doubtful. Should I just live with it? I mean I don't plan on slamming it but I feel like it's compromising the quality of the ride since one side is pressing the strut more than the other to achieve the same ride height.

I would say something is def. off, the springs shouldnt be off that much from left side to right side. Were they off before?

[slaughter.mode]

Originally Posted by knightarmor

I would say something is def. off, the springs shouldnt be off that much from left side to right side. Were they off before?

I never looked, but no I don't think so...They didn't re-press them onto the strut, just replaced all the bolts and those top mount bearings and re-torqued everything.

[knightarmor]

Originally Posted by goaty

I never looked, but no I don't think so...They didn't re-press them onto the strut, just replaced all the bolts and those top mount bearings and re-torqued everything.

Not sure what to tell you. Mine is pretty much the same left to right. Not sure about other peoples setups.

[slaughter.mode]

Originally Posted by knightarmor

Not sure what to tell you. Mine is pretty much the same left to right. Not sure about other peoples setups.

Thanks. Guess I'm just SoL.

[///MLourenco]

If anyone is planning on doing his install on there own I would highly recommend to purchase a cheap harbor freight press to press on and off the sleeves.
https://www.harborfreight.com/12-ton...ess-33497.html

The press was only $100 bucks after %20 off coupon. Thats a fair price considering the price of the MP HAS kit.

I did this weekend and it made the job much easier. I didn't like the idea of banging the sleeve off and one with a BFH.

[wheelhouse]

Does anyone have problems with the swaybar link hitting the lower control arm? Its as if the MPHAS mount sits lower on the shock.

[knightarmor]

So just following up on this since it's been about 17 months now since install.

I recently passed the 36K mile marker. I installed the MPHAS at approx 14K miles. After 22K miles it appears the F80 has settled approx 5mm lower than what I set it at, the ride still feels great and I've taken some grand drives including a trip down to Northern California to enjoy hwy 20, 128 and highway 1.
Needless to say we had a blast down there and the F80 handled superbly. I'm currently running a combo of 255/35-19 Conti 5P's (Audi version which is an XL) up front with 7.5mm spacers and 275/35-19 Nitto NeoGens in the rear with no spacers.

The flat feel I get from going into the corners and really transferring the weight as I brake and get back onto the accelerator is very confidence inspiring. The F80 just loves tight twisties and the stiffness of the chassis is remarkable. I'm very happy and this is exactly what I wanted out of this vehicle- some minor suspension tweaks and exhaust work with wheels and tires and I'm done. I already have a purpose built track car and did not want to dump more $$$ into the F80 than I felt I should.

The only thing left for me to play with is front aero (likely going GTS front spoiler) and tires. Next set will be a 265/35-19 front and possible upsize to the 20" 763m in the rear.

Drive safely out there folks!

[farbmw]

knightarmor Excellent DIY, I have one question what happens if you do not upgrade the I-step firmware?

[knightarmor]

Nothing negative I imagine, since it doesn't matter if you got your MPHAS installed when it first came out or 2 years later. From what I understand there is no specific MPHAS suspension firmware.

[FreeDarko]

Originally Posted by farbmw

knightarmor Excellent DIY, I have one question what happens if you do not upgrade the I-step firmware?

Actually I believe if you have an older firmware there was some issue with getting the EDC to work through all parameters when lowered.

I remember reading this somewhere as part of a Technical bulletin for older cars to to be updated to newer software prior to dealership installing the MP HAS kit.

There won't be any lights on the dash if that worries you as many guys with 2015s on have lowered their car without updating software.

[PaulM4]

Have mine installed today but when the wheels on the ground the springs not sitting straight please help !

[knightarmor]

Originally Posted by PaulM4

Have mine installed today but when the wheels on the ground the springs not sitting straight please help !

Did you make sure the little rubber nipples on the bottom rubber springs seats are poking through the control arm? Are the springs lined up properly on the lower rubber seat?

[PaulM4]

Originally Posted by knightarmor

Did you make sure the little rubber nipples on the bottom rubber springs seats are poking through the control arm? Are the springs lined up properly on the lower rubber seat?

The rubber nipple is in place and springs is properly seated . Everything look fine when the wheels is off but when wheels is on the ground it's not seat straight

[allinon72]

Strange - I went back and looked pics of my install and I can't find anything wrong based on your photos.

[knightarmor]

Here's what mine look like. Looks like they have a little bow to them.

[PaulM4]

Originally Posted by knightarmor

Here's what mine look like. Looks like they have a little bow to them.

You guys did a software update after installation?

[knightarmor]

I had my software updated before installing although I don't think it really matters. I only did it before because the BMW instructions said to do it before install.

[9M71]

MPHAS folks, anyone notice that their rear ride height isn't staying adjusted?

about a month ago, I noticed that my rear passenger was about a quarter inch lower than the rear driver's side. chalked it up to the suspension settling as the MPHAS have only been installed for maybe a month or two. I went ahead and adjusted the rear passenger to be higher and equal to the driver's side.

now today, I thought the rear passenger side was looking a little unusually low. measured the ride height and confirmed my suspicion... it's a quarter inch lower than the driver's side again.

before I go ahead and adjust it, has anyone else experienced a similar problem? I'm going to mark the springs with a marker this time, in an attempt to identify if the adjustment ring is spinning on its own.

[knightarmor]

No problems here, about to hit 41K miles. Installed at about 14K miles.
I did an MPHAS install a few weeks ago and still pretty straight forward install (much easier with a press!!)
I doubt the rear perches can move on their own since it's almost impossible to move them on purpose without disconnecting the control arm. You may want to check that your fronts aren't moving, one corner of the front can affect the opposing corner in the rear.
Also make sure you are measuring from the center of the hub to the fender lip or bottom lip of the rim to the fender lip, on level ground. I always measure on the same concrete pad in my garage as some of the pads in my garage are not as level as they appear.