'95 M3 Lower Control Arm Bushing.

[Boomerbimmer]

My lower control arm was bad so I bought a new one from my local parts store and the bushing on line. After getting the arm off I checked the orientation of the bushing and discovered that the old bushing was offset. What's the purpose?

[jeyjey]

Changes in suspension geometry (to move the kingpin for more caster, IIRC). All the changed parts go together, though; changing only one of them won't work. So you need the offset bushings.

[Boomerbimmer]

"for more caster, IIRC" It seems to me that the suspension should be better in later models but I think the E46 has a centered bushing. Thanks for the answer and I had already ordered offset bushings.

[bluptgm3]

Also, the 1995M3 came with solid outer ball joints.
Check the new arm, you may have purchased a conventional non-M Forward Lower Control Arm. Geometry will be the same.
Also, FLCA from BMW are really expensive these days. An alternative brand is Meyle HD. Be sure to get the HD line arm.
Lemforder (OE supplier)still produces aftermarket E30 FLCA, which is also the same geometry and has a solid outer ball joint.


Read this thread (https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1366924-95-vs-96-M3-control-arm-differences-(visual-dimensions))

[Boomerbimmer]

The store got it right and the outer ball joints are solid. What would be the consequences if they weren't?

[MParallel]

"for more caster, IIRC" It seems to me that the suspension should be better in later models but I think the E46 has a centered bushing. Thanks for the answer and I had already ordered offset bushings.

Because instead of using offset bushes to increase caster, the whole control arm is different on later models.

[bluptgm3]

Because instead of using offset bushes to increase caster, the whole control arm is different on later models.

That and changes to King Pin pickup point (and included angle.)

[MParallel]

That and changes to King Pin pickup point (and included angle.)

Yeah I am aware. It's a different kingpin for AG, M3 3.0 and M3 3.2

[Active.E36]

Also, the 1995M3 came with solid outer ball joints.
Check the new arm, you may have purchased a conventional non-M Forward Lower Control Arm. Geometry will be the same.
Also, FLCA from BMW are really expensive these days. An alternative brand is Meyle HD. Be sure to get the HD line arm.
Lemforder (OE supplier)still produces E30 FLCA, which is also the same geometry and has a solid outer ball joint.


Read this thread (https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1366924-95-vs-96-M3-control-arm-differences-(visual-dimensions))



Did The m3 abs normal e36 have different sized outer bushings on the lower control arm, one of my control arms has letters on it the other doesn’t, they are both for e36 however one of the outer bushing holes is slightly smaller

[bluptgm3]

Did The m3 abs normal e36 have different sized outer bushings on the lower control arm, one of my control arms has letters on it the other doesn’t, they are both for e36 however one of the outer bushing holes is slightly smaller

There are two (2) M3 FLCAs.

One (1) is specific to the 1995M3, which is the same geometry as 318/325/323/328 and E30/E30M3. Lemforder supplies these FLCAs to BMW.

The 1995M3 FLCA and E30/E30M3 FLCA features solid inner and outer ball joints. This 1995M3 FLCA is used with a 1995M3 specific offset FLCABushing.

The 318/325/323/328 FLCA feature a larger diameter rubber isolated outer ball joint. This fits into a larger hole in this control arm.

The other FLCA is specific to the 1996+M3 and contains modified control arm geometry. This FLCA is used with a 1996+M3 specific centered FLCABushing, also features solid inner and outer ball joints.
Lemforder supplies these FLCAs to BMW.

Lemforder 1995M3/1996+M3 FLCAs used to be available in the aftermarket supply chain.

It has long been known that the Meyle HD FLCAs (with a solid outer ball joint), can be used on the 1995M3 w/offset FLCABs and on the 1996+M3 with the 1995M3 offset FLCAB to closely replicate the 1996+M3 FLCA geometry.
These FLCAs can also be used on the 318/325/323/328 to tighten up the front end and can be fitted with the 1995M3 offset FLCABs to add badly needed caster.

The ball joints of the 1995M3 FLCA and 1996+M3 FLCA can be replaced with Lemforder E30 (or E46?) ball joints using a 20 ton press. There are several threads on this subject (https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1545037-E36-M3-Control-Arm-Ball-Joint-Replacement-with-E30) or early thread (https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1262319-Does-anyone-make-heavy-duty-control-arms)

Ref - see also
95-vs-96-M3-control-arm-differences (https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1366924-95-vs-96-M3-control-arm-differences-(visual-dimensions))

95 and 96 E36M3 Spindle (https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1567076-Difference-between-95-and-96-E36-M3-spindle)

Is 95M3 FLCA Unique To 95M3 (https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?2342797-Is-the-1995-M3-FLCA-unique-to-a-1995-M3&highlight=1995%20M3%20FLCA%20unique%20to%201995%20 M3)

M3 Front Strut Mounts on non-“M”? (https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1904269)

Ball Joint Replacement with E30 (https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1545037-E36-M3-Control-Arm-Ball-Joint-Replacement-with-E30)



Relevant FLCA Geometry (https://www.vorshlag.com/forums/forum/product-details-read-only/suspension/58913-bmw-e36-what-parts-alter-caster-how-much-is-too-much)

Original BMW Club Racing bulletin -

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