Per the established wisdom, I try to replace my front lower control arms every ~5 years or so with track and autox use.
I guess I haven't been shopping in a while, because it's looking like the OEM/Lemforder 96+ e36 M3 castered control arms are out of stock or on "indefinite backorder" almost everywhere.
I'd rather not use Meyles, the quality really isn't up to snuff next to the OEM ones.
Is this becoming a real issue now? I know club racers recommend replacing the LCAs every ~2 seasons, What are people doing for control arms?
Are u sure? Have you tried fcpeuro?
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...z3-31122228461
You could also replace the balljoints with e30 balljoints if they truly are NLA.
Yikes!!!
Meyle FLCA replicates the 1995 E36 M3 FLCA geometry (and non-M3.)
The 1996+E36M3 FLCA geometry is different than the 1995E36M3 FLCA geometry.
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Last edited by bluptgm3; 02-27-2019 at 02:10 PM.
Just use Meyle arms with offset fcabs or replace the ball joints with e30 lemforder joints.
The Lemforder arms have been MIA since early 2018. Meyle HD are available at FCP and Turner (only in kit-form as of yesterday when I ordered them). OEM arms (the link above) are crack money at > $300 each!
I see some on-line retail outlets have replaced Lemforder with MTC. Any chance they are the correct geometry for 1996+ E36M3 and at least as good as Meyle?
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I use the Meyle HD arms with offset LCABs. Work great and is what Bimmerworld recommends on race cars. They use the larger ball joint with no rubber isolater like the M3 ones. Only $110 each.
Don't forget to replace them every few seasons.
I just did the E30 ball joint swap. If you have access to a press, it's not a very difficult job. Also, it's quite cheap. I think I paid about $30 (x4) for the ball joints.
Any opinion about these?
https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-5...m-front-right/
Most likely these MTC FLCAs are the 1995M3/non-M3 FLCA geometry, though the FCP page (linked from above post) does indicate 1996+M3 application, I’d like get conformation of the geometry.
IF they are in fact 1995M3 geometry, they should be coupled with the 1995M3 FLCA Bushings to replicate the 1996+M3 caster.
Does MTC also have FLCAs for the 1995M3?
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Last edited by bluptgm3; 10-28-2020 at 07:56 PM.
Suppose I'll replace the ball joints from the old worn control arms I have in storage
Are these Lemforder E30 inner ball joints good for E36 M3 control arms?
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...r-31121126253l
-Phil
Last edited by bluptgm3; 10-18-2019 at 07:39 PM.
Bumping because I bent an arm and MTC appears to be the only option - has anyone tried them, or at least confirmed they are correct geometry? All the usual sites are listing the OEM arms as NLA.
1995 M3 FLCAs plus Offset FLCABs should work, countless folks have used this approach.
Meyle HD FLCAs (w/solid Outer BJ) with Offset FLCABs should also work.
Jury is still out on MTC.
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Last edited by bluptgm3; 10-28-2020 at 08:00 PM.
Last edited by bluptgm3; 10-18-2019 at 07:42 PM.
For SCCA street touring autoX LCAs must be OE if you use camber plates. Someone on another forum indicated they bought MTC and were actually 96-99 geometry, so I am going to try them.
Last edited by bluptgm3; 10-18-2019 at 07:47 PM.
For clarity, the closest alternative to the 96+ M3 arms that will still work with centered FCAB are the HD Meyle ones, yeah? IE, these - https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...36-fcp-e36arms
Last edited by bluptgm3; 10-20-2019 at 12:47 AM.
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