Difference between e36 m and non m steering components

[Mikestokman]

Ive got a 1995 m3 and I have a feeling my lower control arm might be tweaked somewhere. My tie rod is bottomed out on threads and it still has a bunch of toe out. Nothing looks to be stressed or visually bent but I haven't actually measured anything. My question to you guys is what is the difference between e36 325i steering parts vs the m3 parts. Mainly wondering about the engine x member ( lca mounts to it, might have taken more impact in the crash then I think it did so could be bent) lower control arms, steering knuckles, and I've already tried cross referencing part numbers on toe rods and they said they were the same so am I right in thinking they are interchangeable? The car also seems to want to snap one way while drifting so I'm not sure if anyone has any suggestions of what to check over but if you suggest anything I'll definatly go look over it closer.

Thanks guys!

[SLR]

95 M3 arms are just 325i arms with solid outer balljoints (smaller bore in arm though to fit the solid joints). Crossmember is the same. Spindles are entirely different (hubs are interchangeble though). Sounds like your steering rack might be WAY offcenter. Pull the rack end boots off and center the rack by measuring inner tie-rod to rack housing on both sides.

Aside from that, it's possible someone put E90 inners.

Also FYI 95 M3 has the slowest ratio and the shortest rack travel of any E36. if you need a new rack any E36 non-M is an upgrade, non-M Z3 being the best,

or 04+ 330i is the hands-down fastest OEM rack made for these cars.

[Mikestokman]

Yeah my m rack blew up so I got the 325i rack in now and it definatly feels better, I've measured it to get it as close to center before I did my allignment (tape measure just to make it driveable) tie rods are off the 325 aswell ( inner and outer) so I guess my next step is to pull the lca off at the scrap yard and see if maybe mine is bent.


Whats the difference between the knuckles? Or is is all geometry stuff that would completly ruin the handling of the car if I swapped to 325 knuckles? Eventually I want to buy the slr knuckle kit but in the meantime I was going to cut and mod a 325 set that I could get for virtually free...

[SLR]

M3 brakes do not work with 325 knuckles. The offset is 7mm different.

It's very unlikely your knuckles are bent. I've broken 2 struts in accidents but never bent anything on the knuckles.

If you're not ready to go to a full SLR kit, we have the half-kit which a lot of guys are really happy with and you can convert it into a full kit later by just adding the arms. Check it out here: www.slrspeed.com/parts/

Gives you all the handling and steering benefits of the full kit with less maximum angle (with E46 arms you can still get some very good angle)

Sean