Results 1 to 3 of 3

Thread: Quick front control arm question...

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    B.C., Canada
    Posts
    476
    My Cars
    1995 BMW M3 Boston Green

    Quick front control arm question...

    Hey guys,

    Really quick, is the outer ball joint of a front lower control arm out of an E46 M3 removable?

    Working on a swap, and I need a different outer ball joint stud size.

    Thanks in advance!
    BMW 1995 E36 M3 Luxury Pkg. (Bostongruen Metallic 275)

    BMW 1999 E36 323is Sport Pkg. (Orientblau Metallic 317)

    iSociety

  2. #2
    dworthy's Avatar
    dworthy is offline Wagon meister :) BMW Tech Expert
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Grafenwoehr, Germany
    Posts
    14,483
    My Cars
    16 220i 05 325it 05 M3
    Should be able to remove and replace it, if that's what you are trying to do.

    I for one do not recommend just replacing the ball joints, as the aluminum arms are more likely to break later on down the road vers the old solid steel ones in the E-36.
    Darin
    Current:
    16 220i Active Tourer Platinsilver MET (C08)/Dakota Black (PDSW), P7ACA, P7LDA, P7LHA, P9BDA, 6sp Manual - Wife's new toy!
    05 325it Electric Red(438)/Gray(N6TT) ZCW, ZSP 5sp Manual Back set cover, trunk mat, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield, and mud flaps! Mr. Wagon My new Winter car.
    05 M3 Imolarot II(405)/Gray(N5TT) ZCW, ZPP 6sp Manual C.F. Lip, CSL diffuser, SSK, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield and a trunk liner! Mr. Go_Fast Stored for the Winter
    Past:
    95 318is Montreal Blue Met (297)/Beige(K1SN) RIP, killed by an Idiot.
    84 M535i gray market Burgandy Rot Met/Black Leather Lowered by Intrax on bilies, poly everywhere, B&B cat back system, K&N, and a hitch! Da Beast - Still running w/400k+!
    91 316i euro Tizianrot/Gray cloth - E-36 w/M-40 RIP, but great on gas! Best was 38 MPG
    82 528i euro Saphire Blue Met/Blue Leather RIP
    79 525 euro Green/Green RIP
    79 318 Silver/Black - The first one that got it all started
    M-Flight Member

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    B.C., Canada
    Posts
    476
    My Cars
    1995 BMW M3 Boston Green
    No, I agree completely. With the research I've conducted, I have concluded to purchase E46 330i ZHP control arms instead with removable ball joints instead. The only reason I wanted to know if I could remove the ball joints in an E46 M arm was to replace the outer ball joint with something of a smaller shaft size to fit into an E36 M3 steering knuckle.

    Using E46 330i ZHP arms instead with the appropriate outer ball joint shaft size is simply easier and already equipped properly for my swap. I have no desire to try to make these arms last any longer than they should on the car, I only care that they fit.
    BMW 1995 E36 M3 Luxury Pkg. (Bostongruen Metallic 275)

    BMW 1999 E36 323is Sport Pkg. (Orientblau Metallic 317)

    iSociety

Similar Threads

  1. powerflex poly offset bushings and Meyle front control arms question
    By robb1887 in forum 1996 - 2002 Z3 (E36/7, E36/8)
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 02-22-2014, 07:06 PM
  2. Front Control Arm Questions
    By mipktb in forum 1992 - 1999 M3 (E36)
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 06-16-2009, 06:59 PM
  3. Front Control Arm Questions
    By aweather in forum 1992 - 1999 M3 (E36)
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 03-07-2005, 07:06 PM
  4. Front control arm question
    By Hammdy in forum 1991 - 1999 (E36)
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 11-27-2004, 09:37 PM
  5. Quick Front control arms and bushings.....
    By LeVik in forum 1992 - 1999 M3 (E36)
    Replies: 53
    Last Post: 02-12-2003, 12:30 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •