[M2taz]

Originally Posted by Giak

Please share those documents

+1 I plan on doing this installation over the weekend. I've seen some videos, including one with the "performance shop" damaging the crap out of the front subframe being overly aggressive. Also the Dinan Monoball getting munged up in their vise.

[Hybridizer]

Originally Posted by Giak

The additional benefit of those is to increase the caster angle at the same time of giving the monoball benefits.

Do not purchase an adjustable caster angle setup at least not for the G series. Unlike the past F chassis the way they are designed you are not able to easily get to that bolt to loosen or remove the thrust arm bolt or adjust it.

There a couple ways of getting into it from pulling the front bumper and support, to wiggling and prying the brace that connects the front crash support to the frame. But it's that bolt in question that makes the entire job so painful.

So it's not worth it unless you know exactly what caster you want because it's going to be a one and done type scenario. Once you do the job you will better understand.

I think this one is worth the labor rate you may have to pay.

[Giak]

Thank you, I got your point.
I don't think the SS bushings have a caster regulation, it's just a fixed amount set by the producer. It means you can swap to oem or millway, but not change the amount of caster on them. I believe they made some test and found what the right angle.

[not_brg]

Originally Posted by Hybridizer

Agree and love it. But the install solo is not for the faint of heart. I almost wrote up a couple documents to share on my whole process. Since I've done it twice now, but I have not.

It took me a solid 12 hours of time to complete the first time, and that was with me having a wide array of tools at my disposal. Was it worth it. Yes for me and track use it was.

Hope I never have to go back into that again!

Kudos to you for doing it on your own. I watched AutoFanatic's youtube video on it and said "nah" and took the car to Luc@Speed&Tech

[wowwitsgau]

Originally Posted by Giak

I am glad I found this thread because I also am not very satisfied of the steering feel of this car. Expecially when driving fast, I don't feel confident to enter in a turn without using a little brake to have more load on the front. It's like I cannot always feel the amount of grip available on the front wheels... it means or you slow down or you trust the car, close your eyes and turn.
Searching around, I have found another alternative to Millways:
https://shop.suspensionsecrets.co.uk...-g80-m3-g82-m4
The additional benefit of those is to increase the caster angle at the same time of giving the monoball benefits.
Anybody had the chance to test them?
What are the other MUST DO mods to increase the steering feel and overall handling? I am still stock
I tried wheel spacers but I really disliked them from the handling pov, as I already wrote in other posts.

I had these installed along with their camber plates as I was looking to improve steering feel and gain more dynamic camber from increased caster. While the two parts combined did net a noticeable yet subtle increase in feel - most notably a higher return-to-centering force while turning and a more solid feeling car (especially high-speed compression events + bobbing/heaving motions), I have had some minor issues with this brand itself. Suspension Secrets specifically mentioned that each of these caster-increasing parts (camber plates + offset bushing) should add about 1.5° of caster separately, and when combined, should increase caster by a total of 3°, yet when I installed these parts (which they also have verified were installed correctly already) I only achieved a gain of 1° total. Furthermore, when I contacted them with questions before purchasing, they were initially quick to respond, yet when I contacted them with aftersales support, trying to troubleshoot my issues, their response times dropped dramatically. I understand that they are in the UK and have a lot of other projects going on, but their response time has changed from days to weeks now basically

YMMV, overall I'm happy with their parts, but there are some issues that people should be made aware of

[Giak]

Originally Posted by wowwitsgau

I had these installed along with their camber plates as I was looking to improve steering feel and gain more dynamic camber from increased caster. While the two parts combined did net a noticeable yet subtle increase in feel - most notably a higher return-to-centering force while turning and a more solid feeling car (especially high-speed compression events + bobbing/heaving motions), I have had some minor issues with this brand itself. Suspension Secrets specifically mentioned that each of these caster-increasing parts (camber plates + offset bushing) should add about 1.5* of caster separately, and when combined, should increase caster by a total of 3*, yet when I installed these parts (which they also have verified were installed correctly already) I only achieved a gain of 1* total. Furthermore, when I contacted them with questions before purchasing, they were initially quick to respond, yet when I contacted them with aftersales support, trying to troubleshoot my issues, their response times dropped dramatically. I understand that they are in the UK and have a lot of other projects going on, but their response time has changed from days to weeks now basically

YMMV, overall I'm happy with their parts, but there are some issues that people should be made aware of

Thank you, this is very useful!
Do you think those mods are a MUST for our cars? Did you notice a tangible improvement in steering responsiveness and precision?
Did you experience a loss in comfort and more NVH?

In your opinion, if I have to choose between camber plates and offset bushings, which do you think is the more effective mod? (I am happy with oem camber at almost 2degrees negative).

[myaghi]

I installed the Suspension Secret offset caster bushes combined with the toe and traction arms on my M2 G87. I send them a lot of questions regarding the install, geometry and they responded to all of them. I was very pleased with them especially that I tend to ask a lot of questions and I can be a little bit stessful.
The correct remove / install of the front control arm you can find into the repair manual of the G80. All that I found on youtube and internet where more complicated and wrong. In the repair manual all was very straigt forword and you we did it in about 1h, excluding pressing the bushes into the arms. (RWD chassis )
Regarding the improvement of the car, the steerign response is more direct and I got rid of the wobble I got on track when breaking hard from high speed.
You can feel an increase in harshness when driving over hard edges, but I was expecting it. When the road it's good, you won't notice much.
I did an aligment after installing everything with Suspension Secrets values, but the shop did not measure the caster, so I don't know with how much has changed after instal.

[sxychubles]

for those that took the bracket out, what did you do with this piece?

[sxychubles]

Originally Posted by myaghi

I installed the Suspension Secret offset caster bushes combined with the toe and traction arms on my M2 G87. I send them a lot of questions regarding the install, geometry and they responded to all of them. I was very pleased with them especially that I tend to ask a lot of questions and I can be a little bit stessful.
The correct remove / install of the front control arm you can find into the repair manual of the G80. All that I found on youtube and internet where more complicated and wrong. In the repair manual all was very straigt forword and you we did it in about 1h, excluding pressing the bushes into the arms. (RWD chassis )
Regarding the improvement of the car, the steerign response is more direct and I got rid of the wobble I got on track when breaking hard from high speed.
You can feel an increase in harshness when driving over hard edges, but I was expecting it. When the road it's good, you won't notice much.
I did an aligment after installing everything with Suspension Secrets values, but the shop did not measure the caster, so I don't know with how much has changed after instal.

I followed the repair manual but the brackets just would not budge out. Any suggestions. I also saw that video you're referring to, trying to avoid doing that.

[Hit_Apex]

Originally Posted by sxychubles

I followed the repair manual but the brackets just would not budge out. Any suggestions. I also saw that video you're referring to, trying to avoid doing that.

Is that the vid with one dude prying the hell out of the whole front assembly? I cringed at that too. I attempted this once and didn't follow the service manual, was able to get the bolt out with minor prying on the interfering bracket. Then realized I would never be able to adjust (Millway) and left alone. Will be installing SS in a couple weeks and will follow the manual. Not helpful, but I don't recall exactly the trick - was several months ago.

[Ytnom]

Originally Posted by Hit_Apex

Is that the vid with one dude prying the hell out of the whole front assembly? I cringed at that too. I attempted this once and didn't follow the service manual, was able to get the bolt out with minor prying on the interfering bracket. Then realized I would never be able to adjust (Millway) and left alone. Will be installing SS in a couple weeks and will follow the manual. Not helpful, but I don't recall exactly the trick - was several months ago.

I just did this on mine. Took me about 2 hours.
Super easy on xdrive. Only thing you have to remove to get to the bolt is the fender liner

[sxychubles]

oh must be nice. :-D I've given up. Spent a few hours banging on it yesterday for it to not budge. Doing this on jackstands sucks. Going to remove the crash support through the front. Drilled out those plastic pieces just now.

[sxychubles]

Originally Posted by Ytnom

I just did this on mine. Took me about 2 hours.
Super easy on xdrive. Only thing you have to remove to get to the bolt is the fender liner

LOL are you joking? The first time I regret not getting an xdrive.

[Hit_Apex]

Yep, counterintuitive that xDrive is super easy.

If anyone with xDrive is interested in a new pair of SPL adjustable caster monoballs I'll make you a smokin deal.

[Ytnom]

Originally Posted by sxychubles

LOL are you joking? The first time I regret not getting an xdrive.

Lmao sorry dude

[sxychubles]

Ok so the whole process of taking off the bumper made the entire thing suuuper easy. Yes, there were some additional things to take off but the adapter basically fell out on its own. Took 2 hours for both sides. Plastic dampers had to be bored out and will need to be replaced.

[Hit_Apex]

Originally Posted by sxychubles

Ok so the whole process of taking off the bumper made the entire thing suuuper easy. Yes, there were some additional things to take off but the adapter basically fell out on its own. Took 2 hours for both sides. Plastic dampers had to be bored out and will need to be replaced.

Nice job! By dampers are you referring to the skid blocks in your pic above circled in green?

[sxychubles]

Yup, they're called curb descent dampers. The tis service manual doesn't even have them in their diagrams.

[Voodoo_M2]

Originally Posted by myaghi

I installed the Suspension Secret offset caster bushes combined with the toe and traction arms on my M2 G87. I send them a lot of questions regarding the install, geometry and they responded to all of them. I was very pleased with them especially that I tend to ask a lot of questions and I can be a little bit stessful.
The correct remove / install of the front control arm you can find into the repair manual of the G80. All that I found on youtube and internet where more complicated and wrong. In the repair manual all was very straigt forword and you we did it in about 1h, excluding pressing the bushes into the arms. (RWD chassis )
Regarding the improvement of the car, the steerign response is more direct and I got rid of the wobble I got on track when breaking hard from high speed.
You can feel an increase in harshness when driving over hard edges, but I was expecting it. When the road it's good, you won't notice much.
I did an aligment after installing everything with Suspension Secrets values, but the shop did not measure the caster, so I don't know with how much has changed after instal.

Is there any chance you would send me the data they sent over regarding alignment and install? I picked up the caster bushes and adjustable top hats new in box and I don’t think they are playing ball since I didn’t buy direct from them.

[pdxgardener]

How much camber are you all running? Is your G8X a daily, and do you do any winter driving? What's winter grip like with the narrower on-center contact patch?

I'm considering the Millway plates so I can more easily switch between summer for track days and off season stock geometry. The Suspension Secrets people were super helpful when I contacted them as well and I plan to get rear toe arms and maybe drop links from them in the spring. I'd prefer to get their camber plates too.

Keeping on the thread, I have Millway monoballs and love them. They're my #1 mod, then an oil cooler guard and mud flaps (TLG).

[Hit_Apex]

Originally Posted by sxychubles

Yup, they're called curb descent dampers. The tis service manual doesn't even have them in their diagrams.

Why did you have to bore them out?

[sxychubles]

Originally Posted by Hit_Apex

Why did you have to bore them out?

Sorry should have been more specific. I bored out the rivets to not break those dampers and to be able to put on replacements. Dampers had to come off to take off the oil cooler.