Is There A Drop-In Upgrade for '84 633 Upper Control Arms?

[BMWtyro]

Is there a drop-in upgrade replacement for the E28-based 633's 31121132353 and 31121132354 upper control arms? My issue is with those flimsy "membrane"-looking bushings on the inner end of the arms. I don't like replacing them every few years due to torn bushings, and yes I know about pre-loading them prior to torquing-down the bolts.

is there perhaps another control arm application from another BMW model that will work better without costing an arm and a leg . . ?

Jeff

[DesktopDave]

No cheap solutions that I'm aware of. I was tempted by the Moosehead combo, E31 lower arms and a custom upper control arm bearing. Currently priced at $135 for the UCABs and $300 for a pair of E31 lower arms. That's pretty reasonable, especially if they last a lot longer than the original parts.

Wokke has a set on eBay for $400. Unfortunately they're a little spendy.
Frank Fahey also developed the 'softball' bearings, they're a $350 group buy a few years ago.

Isn't there some sort of a poly upgrade from IE or something? BavAuto has one but I found a few negative reviews.

[BMWtyro]

Thanks, Dave; I'll check into the IE pieces. What I'm after here is longevity; if I get better handling in the bargain, then it's a win-win.

Jeff

[Bert Poliakoff]

Many guys, especially on the e28 forum, have used Moosehead's control arms with the spherical bushings. All comments were/are extremely satisfied customers

[apostrphe]

I read up on the Mooseheads on E28.com and took a chance. I heard others complain of the short life and softer compound of the oem bushing. I pressed my own into new UCAs. Love them. I spray mine with lithium grease to keep them from squeaking, as they will do when dry. Mr. Fahey's claim over the Mooseheads is that his are supposed to be quiet. In the end, I couldn't spend the money for Fahey's setup. The Mooseheads will add a bit of harshness on sharp bumps, but the stability is worth it for me. Not the best for your Highline, but for my b-road carver, they rock.

[BMWtyro]

Thanks for the 411, apostrphe.

Jeff

[Shipper]

Is there an e12 set or are we better off replacing the e12 front suspension with an e28 setup?

[Bert Poliakoff]

E 12 suspension is totally different and the upgraded parts are for E28 based cars only. If you are going to completely upgrade the suspension, go coil overs.

[Shipper]

E 12 suspension is totally different and the upgraded parts are for E28 based cars only. If you are going to completely upgrade the suspension, go coil overs.

E12 and E3 chassis run coilovers front and back. The E9 did not. My car runs an e28 rear subframe so I may swap the e28 front subframe into it, then do the upgrades. Does handling really change that much with the affore mentioned handling upgrade?

[DesktopDave]

I always felt that the suspension on the early E24 has more 'feel' than the later model IMHO. I do like them both but the later front suspension is a little more comfort-oriented and subtle. The earlier parts are also more durable, but that's not much of a comfort considering the difficulty of finding sideloader diffs. I actually prefer the earlier brakes despite that silly dual-hose situation, at least until a rebuild is required.

You might have the best of both worlds with the updated rear suspension, the rearloaded diffs are far more common and available in many ratios.

[Shipper]

I always felt that the suspension on the early E24 has more 'feel' than the later model IMHO. I do like them both but the later front suspension is a little more comfort-oriented and subtle. The earlier parts are also more durable, but that's not much of a comfort considering the difficulty of finding sideloader diffs. I actually prefer the earlier brakes despite that silly dual-hose situation, at least until a rebuild is required.

You might have the best of both worlds with the updated rear suspension, the rearloaded diffs are far more common and available in many ratios.

Yeah the huge diff selection helps. I've got a spare medium case 3.45 LSD and run a large case 3.73LSD out of an e34 M5. Very handy.