BMW 3 SERIES E36 E46 REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM http://m-auto.blogspot.com/2012/01/online-epc.html
What about these ebay units? Run em till the heim goes out then replace with better end?
For those that are looking at the eBay control arms, don't! I had this fail on me at the track as well after only light use using street tires and only the second event at Summit Point, WV. It failed coming out of turn 4 which threw me off the track where I was able to meet Mr. Tire Wall face-to-face. Not a lot of damage to the car, but when the weld broke, it felt as if my driver's wheel fell off. Unfortunately with that failure and at that speed, there was no catching the car. See below for photo of the broken weld.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/5vf4s4mua3...image.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/5vf4s4mua3...image.jpg?dl=0
Last edited by diode; 12-19-2014 at 12:04 PM.
Chinesium. I don't quite understand putting eBay parts on a car and then going to the track. Not a place to cut corners.
Last edited by shogun; 12-09-2018 at 07:18 AM. Reason: unnessary quotes removed
PCA HPDE Instructor
current:
2004 M3 convert 6sp man - low mileage beauty!
past:
1995 BMW M3 3.2
2004 M3 convert SMG
2003 BMW 540i6 Alpine White M sport (I want her back!)
Car started as an autocross application which they were fine for. Spoke with many other people, including ones racing much more powerful BMW and shop owners, and they all said that they used these arms. Just wanted more people to be aware of the issues of these bars, not really looking to be lectured.
Last edited by shogun; 12-09-2018 at 07:19 AM. Reason: unnessary quotes removed
Sorry, appreciate the heads up. I've learned some lessons myself at the track with parts from supposedly quality vendors. Track events put much more stress on things.
Last edited by shogun; 12-09-2018 at 07:20 AM. Reason: unnessary quotes removed
PCA HPDE Instructor
current:
2004 M3 convert 6sp man - low mileage beauty!
past:
1995 BMW M3 3.2
2004 M3 convert SMG
2003 BMW 540i6 Alpine White M sport (I want her back!)
This is a great point! And thanks to dangerwillrbnsn and diode for making us aware of the kind of failures they've experienced with RLCAs that rely on welds to hold it together!
Here are some RLCAs I would not install on my car even if they were given to me for free: Ireland Engineering http://www.iemotorsport.com/bmw/item/e36reararm.html
I think I'm going to only buy a set that does not rely on a weld at that point for structural integrity. So far, I found Turner rear LCAs that appear to be a 1 piece design at the bracket that attaches to the rear spindle/knuckle. The heim joint also uses a standard replaceable piece that can be R&Red pretty cheaply (~$20). The QA1 XM series heim joints appear to be the best us mortals can buy.
https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...nd-s-installed https://www.qa1.net/rod-ends-and-rel.../endura-series
So, are there other options out their similar to Turner's? Which is: - bracket to rear spindle/knuckle bolted to 'turnbuckle' instead of being welded
- easily replaceable heim joint
- design relying on fasteners instead of welds for structural integrity
The AKG arms seem like a good option. $280 https://www.akgmotorsport.com/produc...gs-e36-e46-z4/
Rogue Engineering seems like a good option too. $360 They even tell you the spec for replacement heim joints at 5/8-18. http://www.rogueengineering.com/Rogu...ARCA_p_55.html
Achilles Motorsports also seems like a good option. $320 https://www.achillesmotorsports.com/.../33-am-lca.htm
VAC Motorsports also seems like a good option. $310 https://store.vacmotorsports.com/bmw...orts-p507.aspx
This is a great thread that details more of the available RLCAs. I have yet to review them all but wanted to post it here for future review. http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=213186
The connection of the arm to the outside clevis matters. Stay away from anything that uses a welded design. The good ones use a threaded fastener. So, does the design which tells you where you adjust it from when in the car. The only two options I've found so far that are acceptable are Turner and Rogue Engineering. I've been in email conversation with the Technical Engineer at RE about it.
Last edited by shogun; 12-09-2018 at 07:22 AM. Reason: double posts merged
Well since this thread got bumped to the top, I might as well add that after a year or so, my SPC/Eibach arms did the exact same thing.
Last edited by shogun; 12-09-2018 at 07:14 AM. Reason: no longer working pics removed
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