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Thread: E36 M3 Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement with E30

  1. #176
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
    Location
    MI
    Posts
    128
    My Cars
    1997 BMW M3 Sedan
    They're Mevotech brand from RockAuto (I know, I know). After doing some quick searches after the fact, it looks like I've probably set myself up for premature failure. Unfortunately I don't have the time to wait until FCPeuro gets in more Lemforders. My M3 sedan just got relegated to daily duty (in MI nonetheless, although the roads I drive everyday aren't terrible) and I just put stainless steel brake hoses on the front and I'm getting ready to replace the front drivers caliper along with pads and rotors on both sides. The control arms look tired, so I figured I'd replace them while I'm in there. I don't plan on dailying the car for longer than 3 months, so hopefully the new arms last that long. It looks like the Mevotechs are the same part numbers as the ones that ECS Tuning sells with their refresh kit, so we'll see how long they hold up. They come with a 5 year warranty, so worse case scenario is that they fail and I replace them again with higher quality parts.

    rockauto control arms.JPG <-- Click to zoom in. These are the ones I ordered from RockAuto.
    Last edited by Cos270; 08-05-2019 at 09:04 AM.

  2. #177
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Whidbey Island, WA
    Posts
    576
    My Cars
    1998 Techno M3 Coupe
    When pressing out the balljoints, I find it easier if I first cut off the rubber boots and wiped away the grease. Then I can get a better view of seating the press socket on the balljoint. BTW, I love the cardboard "safety shield" on the earler post

  3. #178
    Join Date
    Feb 2002
    Location
    Orlando, FL
    Posts
    8,884
    My Cars
    Turbo 97 E36 M3, 99 M3
    I bought some Meyle HD ones from ECS for $200....which I thought was decent
    1997 Arctic Silver/Black M3
    CES Stage IV (651rwhp/615rwtq @ 24 psi)

    1999 Techno Violet/Dove M3
    Auto/Convertible and staying stock!

  4. #179
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Seattle
    Posts
    5,776
    My Cars
    99 M3

    E36 M3 Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement with E30

    Quote Originally Posted by shogun View Post
    A pair for $120 or less, original? Show us...
    for example for my 02/98 p/n is 31122228461 left side, 31122228462 right side.
    One MTC Control Arm 31122228461 per piece discounted online price $150/piece x 2 = $300
    I believe the MTC Forward Lower Control Arm have the geometry of the 1995M3 (and all non-M E36), not the geometry of the 1996+M3.

    I believe the caster loss can be made up by using offset (1995M3) FLCABs.
    Not sure if there is a camber loss or how to make it up.

    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Last edited by bluptgm3; 08-05-2019 at 02:59 PM.

  5. #180
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    South Florida
    Posts
    172
    My Cars
    86 ETA Sport 2.7i
    Quote Originally Posted by persiandude View Post
    It was a major major pain in the ass to get the passenger side outer ball joint out of the knuckle. I am going to cut off the threaded shaft and then try press out - picked up 24mm, 27mm and 32mm deep sockets.

    I had to order some crowfoot wrenchs because that seems like the only way to torque the inner ball joint with that tiny area of clearance. Hopefully they work
    Best $20 I ever spent

    https://www.harborfreight.com/3-4-qu...tor-99849.html

    Used pickle forks for years, but if you want to re-use the ball joint, have to be very careful of the boot. The HF tool makes it a snap and saves the boots if the arm is going back in without new ball joints. Don't use an impact on it, I boogered up the threads first one doing that. Just get the tool tight on the ball joint threads and tap the knuckle with a hammer and they come out in about 15sec, takes longer to undo the nut hehe.
    Last edited by ForcedFirebird; 08-05-2019 at 01:23 PM.
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  6. #181
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
    Location
    MI
    Posts
    128
    My Cars
    1997 BMW M3 Sedan
    So are the MTC ones good quality? I’m having buyers remorse after the Mevotech ones came in and am thinking about playing it safe and getting the MTCs.

  7. #182
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Seattle
    Posts
    5,776
    My Cars
    99 M3
    Ultimately you want a solid outer ball joint for “M” applications, so perhaps Lemforder for 1995M3 or E36 Meyle HD.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  8. #183
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    SB / LA
    Posts
    652
    My Cars
    e36M3/4, e60 525, e39
    Quote Originally Posted by Skunk View Post
    I went and checked the socket, it was a 27mm deep impact socket from HF. Got a threaded coupling thing from Ace for a few bucks. You may need something stronger but Sprayed my ball joints with quite a bit of penetrating oil which did penetrate the rust from what I saw so the balljoints
    Pretty much followed this exact set up - let the ball joints sit with penetrating oil for a bit then press 3 of the 4 out with no issue - used a 2” galvanized coupling to allow the arm to sit flush and then on the last one I f*cked up and damaged the arm by pressing at an angle, it shifted While pressing - now I need to find a donor arm :/

    Do Z3 Control Arms work with 96+ E36 M3??

    4853138F-FDA7-40DC-B577-C9997E124E6F.jpg

    28AE9345-0077-480C-85F8-30EF04A5C7B1.jpg
    Last edited by persiandude; 08-07-2019 at 10:38 PM.

    [SIZE="1"]1997 M3/4/5 18x8.5 Hartge Classics, F1 Stage 2 Clutch Kit
    :one This Year :: Koni inserts, HR Sport, Rogue RSM, Ball Joints, Powerflex LCAB, Adjustable Sway Links (DIY), Headliner, MM Underpanel, 3 spoke wheel swap, BavSound Speakers, Bluetooth radio adapter

  9. #184
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
    Location
    MI
    Posts
    128
    My Cars
    1997 BMW M3 Sedan
    Well, I ended up chickening out on the Mevotech's from RockAuto. Figured I'd save myself the time and future headaches and just get decent parts. I ordered this kit from Bimmerworld instead:
    https://www.bimmerworld.com/Front-Co...-M3-96-99.html

    Mevotech's are getting returned.

  10. #185
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    Oahu / Los Angeles
    Posts
    1,011
    My Cars
    S54 E36
    I will be doing this soon for my '98 E36M and I found that the Lemforder parts are more expensive than the OEM BMW parts.

    I mean, please correct me if I'm missing something here.

    Curious why this might be the case.

    https://www.autopartsway.com/search....:w0133~1626314

    $26.62

    https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...-31121126253l?

    $18.22

  11. #186
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Seattle
    Posts
    5,776
    My Cars
    99 M3

    E36 M3 Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement with E30

    Quote Originally Posted by Cos270 View Post
    Well, I ended up chickening out on the Mevotech's from RockAuto. Figured I'd save myself the time and future headaches and just get decent parts. I ordered this kit from Bimmerworld instead:
    https://www.bimmerworld.com/Front-Co...-M3-96-99.html

    Mevotech's are getting returned.
    Note that the non-1996+M3 Forward Lower Control Arms (geometry) combined with 1995M3 Offset FLCA Bushings (geometry) may or may not fully replicate the 1996+M3 FLCAs with Centered FLCA Bushings.
    Get an alignment and report back, it may well be close enough.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Last edited by bluptgm3; 08-09-2019 at 03:11 PM.

  12. #187
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Seattle
    Posts
    5,776
    My Cars
    99 M3
    Quote Originally Posted by persiandude View Post

    Do Z3 Control Arms work with 96+ E36 M3??
    Yes the Z3 “M” FLCAs are the same as the 1996+M3 FLCAs.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  13. #188
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
    Location
    MI
    Posts
    128
    My Cars
    1997 BMW M3 Sedan
    Quote Originally Posted by bluptgm3 View Post
    Note that the non-1996+M3 Forward Lower Control Arms (geometry) combined with 1995M3 Offset FLCA Bushings (geometry) may or may not fully replicate the 1996+M3 FLCAs with Centered FLCA Bushings.
    Get an alignment and report back, it may well be close enough.
    Will do. One of the 7(!) prior owners replaced the LCA bushings with centered purple poly ones that appear to be in good shape, so I think it's safe to say that either these are probably the original control arms, or they were replaced with OEM 96+ M3 LCA's. Will keep everyone updated once the parts come in and I get them fitted.

  14. #189
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    SB / LA
    Posts
    652
    My Cars
    e36M3/4, e60 525, e39
    Is there a "standard" length (or approximate length) I can use for the new tie rods? Will an alignment shop dial in the lengths of the tie rods?

    When I took the tie rods off I had to break them into parts - inner and out and then remove due to some issues etc... so I can't reference my old tie rods when adjusting the length of the new ones.
    Last edited by persiandude; 08-20-2019 at 02:00 PM.

    [SIZE="1"]1997 M3/4/5 18x8.5 Hartge Classics, F1 Stage 2 Clutch Kit
    :one This Year :: Koni inserts, HR Sport, Rogue RSM, Ball Joints, Powerflex LCAB, Adjustable Sway Links (DIY), Headliner, MM Underpanel, 3 spoke wheel swap, BavSound Speakers, Bluetooth radio adapter

  15. #190
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Seattle
    Posts
    5,776
    My Cars
    99 M3
    Quote Originally Posted by golgo13 View Post
    I will be doing this soon for my '98 E36M and I found that the Lemforder parts are more expensive than the OEM BMW parts.

    I mean, please correct me if I'm missing something here.

    Curious why this might be the case.

    https://www.autopartsway.com/search....:w0133~1626314

    $26.62

    https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...-31121126253l?

    $18.22
    Both appear to be Lemforder parts.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  16. #191
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Seattle
    Posts
    5,776
    My Cars
    99 M3
    Linking to more current discussion

    https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...-Arm-Solutions

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