Is the 1995 M3 FLCA unique to a 1995 M3?

[A ///Monster]

I have a 1995 M3 and I'm in the process or rebuilding my front suspension. I have been told that I should buy the 325is Meyle FLCA replacements because they were cheaper and better than the Lemforder 1995 M3 FLCA replacements.

However, I was under the impression that the 325/328 FLCA used a centered ball joint and the 1995 M3 used the same FLCA dimension but with an offset drilled ball joint. I really don't want to change my castor by installing something that gives different geometry. I have searched for a while and have found a great deal of information on 1996-1999 M3 FLCAs but not so much 1995 M3 FLCA information.

Can someone quickly explain to me the difference between the 1995 M3 and 325i FLCAs?

[TostitoBandito]

Check the part #'s and diagrams on realoem for the different models/years to verify. That should answer your question.

I know that the 95 M3 has offset front control arm bushings, and the 96-99 M3 has centered, so they are different to some extent. I don't know about the non-M E36's.

[A ///Monster]

I'm familiar with realOEM. I know that the 325/328 has a rubber jacket around the ball joint and all E36 M3's do not have this. The aftermarket Meyle FLCA's apparently have a superior heavy duty ball joint that does not have the rubber jacket around it.

My main concern is if there is a difference in geometry difference between the 325/328 and 1995 M3 FLCA or is it just the quality of the ball joint used in the OEM FLCAs?

[weedshoes]

IIRC 95 m3 control arm geometry is the same as early e36. But the top hats and the fcabs for the non m are centered while 95 m3 is offset.

[Moron95M3]

IIRC 95 m3 control arm geometry is the same as early e36. But the top hats and the fcabs for the non m are centered while 95 m3 is offset.

Ding ding ding, we have a winner

96-99Ms put the castor into the LCA, whereas the 95 did it with the offset bushing.

I'm not sure I've ever heard Meyle + nonM being 'better' then M + lemforder. It's usually the other way around.

The true 95 M LCA has replaceable balljoints (sort of, look up the DIY using E30 M3 ball joints) whereas the nonM's have non-replaceable BJ's. Although the geometry is the same.

[A ///Monster]

So then if I were to use the 325/328 Meyle control arm I would have the same ball joint location as a 1995 M3 LCA? So I could put 325i control arms on my 95 M3 and result in the same castor?

I thought I had this figured out but a sales guy at BW is recommending that I purchase the 325/328 Meyle LCA with HD ball joints - telling me that they're superior to the Lemforder M3 units and they maintain the same geometry as well as being half the price.

[Moron95M3]

yes, the geometry is the same and you can use them.

But nowhere have I ever heard a meyle nonM LCA is superiour to Lemforder...


Here's some good reading: (it gets a bit complicated) - I also don't mention in here that the 96-99M LCA geometry is different, and makes up for the offset LCAB by moving the LCA ball joint forward).
https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...ad.php?1904269

[TostitoBandito]

From what I've read, people mainly use the Meyle HD E36 arms because they're less than half the price of the Lemforder BMW M3 arms, not because they're any better.

[A ///Monster]

Interesting. I thought there were 3 variations of FLCA geometries. E36, E36M 95, and E36M 96-99.

I guess I was wrong. There are only 2 variations of geometry. Thanks for setting me straight.

I ordered the Lemforder M3 FLCA's along with lemforder tie rods and new bushings for my treehouse racing fcabs.

[Moron95M3]

Interesting. I thought there were 3 variations of FLCA geometries. E36, E36M 95, and E36M 96-99.

I guess I was wrong. There are only 2 variations of geometry. Thanks for setting me straight.

I ordered the Lemforder M3 FLCA's along with lemforder tie rods and new bushings for my treehouse racing fcabs.

Yep only 2 variations (in geometry). Your TH FCABs should go perfectly with the 95M geometry (they're in the same location as the offset 95M FCAB).

pic08.JPG

781542461_8DtDR-M.jpg

https://www.vorshlag.com/forums/prin...5&pp=10&page=3

^^Pretty sure this shows dimensions for A, B, *my work is blocking the vorshlag website for whatever stupid reason*

[A ///Monster]

I'd seen those pictures before but for some reason I thought that a 1995 M3 LCA was different and left out of those comparison pictures.

Thanks again Moron!

[boarder2k7]

The true 95 M LCA has replaceable balljoints (sort of, look up the DIY using E30 M3 ball joints) whereas the nonM's have non-replaceable BJ's. Although the geometry is the same.

What are you talking about the non M cars have non replaceable ball joints? They pop right in and out just like everything else.

[Moron95M3]

What are you talking about the non M cars have non replaceable ball joints? They pop right in and out just like everything else.

I guess I meant I've never seen replaceable BJ's for them, and they have a weird backing on them compared to the '95M arms.

95M (and all M) can be replaced with E30 M3 BJs.
https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...ement-with-E30

NonM reference:
https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...easy-to-change

NonM weird outer BJ:
s-l1600.jpg

If you have links for otherwise, please share!

[boarder2k7]

I have purchased and pressed in those outer ball joints with the strap thing under them. When I did it I just ordered the part, no special looking or anything needed, though I can probably find the order in my emails if someone really needs it.

Somewhere around I have a section of 1.5" or 1.25" black iron pipe with notches cut in it that I used in a hydraulic press to push them in.

Edit- just read the thread in your link, that's interesting. I'll see if o can find what I ordered. I just popped them both out and back in with new ones though.

[Moron95M3]

I have purchased and pressed in those outer ball joints with the strap thing under them. When I did it I just ordered the part, no special looking or anything needed, though I can probably find the order in my emails if someone really needs it.

Somewhere around I have a section of 1.5" or 1.25" black iron pipe with notches cut in it that I used in a hydraulic press to push them in.

Edit- just read the thread in your link, that's interesting. I'll see if o can find what I ordered. I just popped them both out and back in with new ones though.

That would be great! I held onto a set of LCAs then tossed them after 'realizing' what I had thought. If there is info to use them, then hell yes!

[bluptgm3]

Linking FLCA threads since 1996+M3 FLCAs are NLA.
https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...E36-M3-spindle

[Braymond141]

Linking FLCA threads since 1996+M3 FLCAs are NLA.
https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...E36-M3-spindle

They are NOT NLA. They are being produced now. 140 pairs are due in May with roughly 27 being spoken for.

Backorder =\= NLA. You can ask any dealer for production status on any part.

[bluptgm3]

They are NOT NLA. They are being produced now. 140 pairs are due in May with roughly 27 being spoken for.

Backorder =\= NLA. You can ask any dealer for production status on any part.

Thanks for the update - 140 pairs are due where?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ScotcH]

Thanks for the update - 140 pairs are due where?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Probably into general inventory, then can be ordered by various vendors.

[Braymond141]

I would think it’s pretty obvious it is BMW inventory.

[CKr]

They are NOT NLA. They are being produced now. 140 pairs are due in May with roughly 27 being spoken for.

Backorder =\= NLA. You can ask any dealer for production status on any part.

Good to know. Folks are likely confused because a lot of third party sites are listing these parts as NLA. In fact, when I reached out to the San Francisco BMW dealership on Feb 6th 2019, this is what they told me:

"... the wishbone left and right you are inquiring is no longer available. BMW of North America has informed us that they have discontinued this item and we can no longer get a hold of it. I went ahead and checked other BMW warehouse to see if any locations in the United States still has it, but unfortunately there is zero in the nation."

— Cory

[bluptgm3]

IIRC 95 m3 control arm geometry is the same as early e36. But the top hats and the fcabs for the non m are centered while 95 m3 is offset.

1995M3 Strut Mounts/Guide Supports are offset aft.
1996+M3 Strut Mounts/Guide Supports are offset aft and outboard. Flipping these L-R/R-L yields additional camber.

1995M3 FLCABs are solid and offset, generating more caster.
1996+M3 FLCABs are solid and centered, with camber coming from different spindles and FLCAs.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Braymond141]

Good to know. Folks are likely confused because a lot of third party sites are listing these parts as NLA. In fact, when I reached out to the San Francisco BMW dealership on Feb 6th 2019, this is what they told me:



— Cory

Someone did not check production status.

BB82C144-5B3F-40D9-99A7-639BFCB08CC8.jpeg

[bluptgm3]

The true 95 M LCA has replaceable balljoints (sort of, look up the DIY using E30 M3 ball joints) whereas the nonM's have non-replaceable BJ's. Although the geometry is the same.

The non-“M”s do have replaceable BJs available from BMW. Only the outer BJ was deemed serviceable - p/n 31126758510.

It is the “M” FLCAs that were ‘not serviceable’ until someone tried using a 20-ton press and E30 BJs, BJ p/ns 31 12 1 126 253 and 31 12 1 126 254.

Meyle, Lemforder (and others) have BJs for both joints, all three FLCA configurations, though the non-“M” 318/323/325/328 FLCA ‘features’ a rubber isolated BJ of a different BMW as indicated above.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[bluptgm3]

So then if I were to use the 325/328 Meyle control arm I would have the same ball joint location as a 1995 M3 LCA? So I could put 325i control arms on my 95 M3 and result in the same castor?

I thought I had this figured out but a sales guy at BW is recommending that I purchase the 325/328 Meyle LCA with HD ball joints - telling me that they're superior to the Lemforder M3 units and they maintain the same geometry as well as being half the price.

Meyle HDs have the same type of solid outer BJs as the 1995M3, where as the Lemforder/Dorman/Febi/etc. 318/325/323/328 FLCAs offer a rubber isolated BJ. Both are the same geometry.
Geometry of the 1995M3 FLCA, the 318/325/323/328 Meyle, the stock/Lemforder (MTC, Dorman, Febi) 318/325/323/328 FLCAs are ALL the same.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk