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Thread: How to ID Front Control Arms as 95 or 96+

  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2004
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    How to ID Front Control Arms as 95 or 96+

    Posting this here as the track guys might be more familiar with swapping around control arms, offset FCABs etc.

    My 97 e36 M3 has bimmerworld TrackCAB solid control arm mounts. I think it may be time to replace my control arms and balljoints, but I want to be sure whatever I buy matches what the car currently has.

    Bimmerworld says: "When used on 96-99 M3s, the wheel will be moved forward slightly in the wheel well due to additional caster. This may result in tire rub against the inner fender liner. We recommend using '95 M3 or E36 non-M front control arms for these applications.
    * Because the E30 M3 and '95 M3 have offset control arm bushings, the TrackCABs will not increase caster for these particular models."


    So: Is there any way I can definitively tell if I have 95 or 96+ control arms? Either from looking at or measuring the Control Arms while on the car?
    • Pictures online sometimes show a different number of holes in the control arms, not sure if this could be used? Mine have 4 holes (not counting a small hole that looks like it could be for CA mounted swaybars)
    • My drivers side CA has the numbers: 865 19 CDP -- I can't find this number online anywhere
    • My passenger side CA has the numbers: 866 25 CDP -- ditto above


    Couple pictures attached. Any direction would be appreciated!

    20180929_103416.jpg20180929_103337.jpg20180929_103220.jpg20180929_103129.jpg20180929_103115.jpg

  2. #2
    Join Date
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    '95m3(Avus)/996tt/4.8is
    There is a image floating around with some measurements, I want to say it was posted by Fair? Shows different control arm geometry.

  3. #3
    Join Date
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    Ottawa, ON, Canada
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    e90 M3,X5,e46 racer
    Just get 95/non-M Meyle arms ... you'll be fine.
    Check out the 8legs Racing page: https://www.facebook.com/8legsRacing/


  4. #4
    Join Date
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    98 M3/4/6, 16 M3/6
    It seems you may have 95 M3 CAs on your 97 M3. https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...nsion-question and https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...nger-Available

    I have a set of new 96+ M3 CAs and they are stamped 465 and 466 CDP respectively. They also have 6 large holes and one smaller one(swaybar endlink mount?) https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...trol-Arms-SOLD
    Last edited by hc1001; 10-05-2018 at 04:34 PM.

  5. #5
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    F150, Suburban, M3
    Look up the part numbers on your control arms.

    "It's not the people who vote that count, it's the people who count the votes."
    -DNC

  6. #6
    Join Date
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    1999 m3 and 740iL
    Thanks all, 95 M3 / Non-m arms it is. The shape of the arm at the front ball joint and the # of holes seem to indicate such. Also might as well just replace with the 95/Non-m no matter what since I've got the Bimmerworld CABs.

    To previous poster, I searched for the numbers that are stamped on my arms before psoting the thread. Couldn't come up with anything.

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