Dinan Tension Strut Ball Joint Kit – BMW M5 (F90)

OVERVIEW

An underrated component of a proper driver's suspension, the monoball kit — tension strut ball joint kit in today's terminology — is a remnant of an era when road feel was something drivers sought out, as the road-racing heritage of BMW M demanded. Dinan embraced that and spent years refining a kit that satisfies the desire for road feel while staying livable every day.

The Dinan Tension Strut Ball Joint Kit replaces the rubber bushings in the front thrust arms with precision ball joints in machined aluminum housings. Eliminating the deflection inherent in the stock bushings sharpens response and reduces brake shimmy. The bearings are among the quietest on the market, virtually noise-free, and they are sealed with a rubber boot that keeps dirt and road grime out so they do not wear out prematurely.

SPECS

• Replaces the front thrust arm (tension strut) rubber bushings with precision ball joints
• Machined aluminum ball joint housings
• Nylon-lined bearings for quiet operation
• Sealed with a rubber boot against dirt and road grime
• Improves steering responsiveness and reduces brake shimmy
• Shipping weight: 5 lbs; carton approx. 14" × 12" × 4"
• Dinan published labor time: 4 hours
• Retaining cap torque: 110 ft-lbs, using the supplied Dinan cap tool; ball joint bolts are angle-torqued per BMW specification
• Dinan warranty: on a vehicle still covered by the BMW new-car warranty, the remainder of that warranty (typically 4 years/50,000 miles); otherwise 2 years, unlimited mileage. Wear items, maintenance services and fluids are excluded.

PARTS INCLUDED

• 2 × D283-0029 ball joint holder assembly
• 2 × D282-0042 retaining cap
• 4 × D282-0043 spacer
• 1 × D282-0044 cap tool
• 1 × D281-0003 Loctite 609 retaining compound

TECH RESOURCES

Additional Parts Required

• None. Dinan supplies the ball joint assemblies, caps, spacers, the cap tool and the Loctite 609 needed to complete the job.
• Torque wrench capable of 110 ft-lbs, an angle gauge for the BMW angle-torque specification, and secure jack stands. Installer-supplied.
• Solvent and clean rags — the control arm bore must be thoroughly cleaned and dried before the ball joint is set. Installer-supplied.
• Optional: have the front alignment checked once the thrust arms are back on the car.

Installation

• Dinan D280-0019 Tension Strut Ball Joint Kit installation instructions (PDF) — INS280-0019: bill of materials, bore preparation, ball joint orientation, cap tool use and torque specifications.

Notes

• This listing is titled for the F90 M5; Dinan catalogs the same kit for the F91/F92/F93 M8. Dinan publishes no emissions statement specific to this part number. Confirm fitment for your car with Speed Logic before ordering.

PART NUMBER

• D280-0019 — Dinan Tension Strut Ball Joint Kit, F90 M5 and F9x M8

VEHICLE APPLICATIONS