[relative4]

'08 335xi E90. I just finished installing Bilstein B8s and Dinan D100-0925s all around. I've had weight on the wheels for a couple hours now. The rear settled down right away. The front is being stubborn, though I've loosened the thrust rod bushings, disconnected the end links, and jumped up and down a bunch on the strut towers and front corners.
How long does this normally take? Anything else I can do to hurry it along? Do I need to drive it? I'm mainly hesitant to drive it because (1) I just put on new tires and don't want to drive them before getting aligned and (2) I'd like to settle the springs before torquing the thrust rod bushings.
Any input appreciated. Thanks!

[Soravia]

Springs do NOT settle. It's your bushings being twisted and loading up the car.
Once they "settle" you might have damage to them already.
Always torque the bushings while the hub is in loaded position. Jack the hub up to the position and torque.

I would just put the nuts on before torquing down. Drive around slowly for a bit, over speed bumps, etc. bring it back and torque down with the hub jacked up to position.
You can lube the end faces of the bushings.

[relative4]

As I said, I have loosened the bushings. So that is not the issue.
Furthermore, it is common knowledge that new springs do take time to settle. Googling the question will return answers of anywhere from a few miles to a few weeks. Guess I'll go drive it around a bit tonight.

[Soravia]

Originally Posted by relative4

As I said, I have loosened the bushings. So that is not the issue.
Furthermore, it is common knowledge that new springs do take time to settle. Googling the question will return answers of anywhere from a few miles to a few weeks. Guess I'll go drive it around a bit tonight.

If it takes "time" to settle, why would you have to drive it?
After putting the weight on with loose bushing, you still have to articulate the suspension. That's why I drive around in slow speed over the bumps.

If springs take weight and time to settle, wouldn't they sit all the way at the bottom after a decade or so? How do they come out from the factory "settled" at 5 miles on the odo?
It's not the springs.

Originally Posted by Soravia

How do they come out from the factory "settled" at 5 miles on the odo?

Srsly? You've never heard someone with a brand new car say "yeah, she looks good now, but wait until the springs settle."

lol

[Soravia]

Originally Posted by FCobra94

Srsly? You've never heard someone with a brand new car say "yeah, she looks good now, but wait until the springs settle."

lol

No idea. Have bought a few new cars. Seen the 2006-08 Miatas still rocking their 4x4 factory suspension as well. Haven't settled one bit after 15 years

exactly

[dcorn]

Originally Posted by FCobra94

Srsly? You've never heard someone with a brand new car say "yeah, she looks good now, but wait until the springs settle."

lol

Never.

[relative4]

Point ceded. Despite the alignment shop's assurances and those of a zillion google results, I believe you guys are correct and this thing is not going to settle significantly. Researching different strut mounts to get the desired height.
Thanks for your guidance.

[Soravia]

Originally Posted by relative4

Point ceded. Despite the alignment shop's assurances and those of a zillion google results, I believe you guys are correct and this thing is not going to settle significantly. Researching different strut mounts to get the desired height.
Thanks for your guidance.

You are welcome. I believed that myth one time as well, along with "Add bigger sway bars is better!" and other stuff.

[3002 tii]

Dinan fronts for xi are what they are, which is why they only offer rear shocks for that spring package. Car handles great but you also get this reverse rake.

[relative4]

Originally Posted by 3002 tii

Dinan fronts for xi are what they are, which is why they only offer rear shocks for that spring package. Car handles great but you also get this reverse rake.

Do you know if it's OK to install non-xi strut mounts to drop the front?

[tlow98]

Bilstein HD shocks have very high nitrogen pressure as stock when delivered. They raise your effective spring rate and do raise your car 1/4” - 3/4” depending on the application.