Stuck MPHAS collar help!

[MW F82 ///M4]

Good morning friends!

In attempting to raise the passenger front ride height, the collar is completely stuck. I’ve cleaned and lubed it, tried thicker spanner wrenches in conjunction with a hammer… it just won’t budge. Any suggestions? Is there a tool out there that would allow me to get more purchase on the collar notches for more torque?

Thanks for any advice. The drivers side moved up an inch with one hand lol…

[RElias21]

Originally Posted by MW F82 ///M4

Good morning friends!

In attempting to raise the passenger front ride height, the collar is completely stuck. I’ve cleaned and lubed it, tried thicker spanner wrenches in conjunction with a hammer… it just won’t budge. Any suggestions? Is there a tool out there that would allow me to get more purchase on the collar notches for more torque?

Thanks for any advice. The drivers side moved up an inch with one hand lol…

Have you loosened the set screw?
The fronts on MP-HAS have a set screw.

[M3SQRD]

I’d remove the strut from the car and remove the spring from the strut (remove spring preload on the height adjuster; you can try it without removing the strut from the lower knuckle). Then I’d spray penetrating oil on the height adjustment threads go into the top of the adjuster. You also should try applying the penetrating oil to the bottom of the adjuster where the spring seat has bottomed out on the adjuster bracket with the sway bar mount (no threads exposed at the bottom of the adjuster). The penetrating oil should work its way in and up the threads. Let it work for 2-3 hours and then try spinning the height adjuster with the spanner wrench.

I suppose you could try the above without removing the strut and spring first. If it works great. If it doesn’t, try again with the spring removed

[MW F82 ///M4]

Thanks for the thoughts… yep set screws are out. I’m going to try a different type of spanner… any ideas?

[M3SQRD]

Originally Posted by MW F82 ///M4

Thanks for the thoughts… yep set screws are out. I’m going to try a different type of spanner… any ideas?

All of the spanner wrenches have roughly the same handle length. I’m unaware of any extra long handle spanner wrenches.

Use of penetrating oil is your best option. The penetrating oil should work if it’s friction/stiction keeping it from turning. The only other thing I can think of is threads somehow got cross threaded by small stones, etc. and if that’s the case it’s likely not going to ever move again.

[MW F82 ///M4]

Yep, it’s completely frozen in place. I’ve searched everywhere, but does anyone know if I can find these parts somewhere individually? I’ve been searching all day to no avail. I’m so frustrated with this. I can’t imagine having to buy an entirely new set to replace the collar and perch. Thanks for the thoughts, everyone.

[M3SQRD]

Originally Posted by MW F82 ///M4

Yep, it’s completely frozen in place. I’ve searched everywhere, but does anyone know if I can find these parts somewhere individually? I’ve been searching all day to no avail. I’m so frustrated with this. I can’t imagine having to buy an entirely new set to replace the collar and perch. Thanks for the thoughts, everyone.

Have you called KW? I’d call KW US and KW Germany. Their designs are different but the strut spring seat and height adjuster brackets do the same things. I doubt BMW offers any replacement MP HAS parts whereas I can see KW offering replacement parts for their kits. Only downside is you’ll add some purple to your suspension components

[jfritz27]

If you've tried everything else, time to bust out the propane torch?

[M3SQRD]

Originally Posted by jfritz27

If you've tried everything else, time to bust out the propane torch?

My guess is tiny stones are sitting between the male and female threads making it act like the threads are crossed.

There are no plastic pieces so hitting it with a torch shouldn’t create any new issues.

[MW F82 ///M4]

To update the community, just in case you run into a similar issue:

These parts are not sold individually, I searched far and wide. However, two repair kits from BMW are available:

31-30-2-463-687, $463.75

31-30-2-463-686, $278.52

I ordered 686... unfortunately, they don't seem to be in stock anywhere in the US and I had to order from a site in Germany.

[noone]

Why are you raising them up an inch? Are you putting it back to stock height? I’ve been contemplating for years on dropping the front and keep wondering if I will regret it.

[M 4 FUN]

First of all you must try to lower the locking nut, then lower the spring platform to be able to clean the threads before you try to raise it. Maybe it's too stuck for that too but that the procedure to adjust.

[MW F82 ///M4]

Originally Posted by noone

Why are you raising them up an inch? Are you putting it back to stock height? I’ve been contemplating for years on dropping the front and keep wondering if I will regret it.

The rear is completely lowered which feels great. I tried keeping the front very low for a few months but have found the ride to be punishing and the oversteer is awful. Bringing it up an inch will get me closer to bmws recommended settings… hopefully fixing both of those characteristics I’m not a fan of.