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Thread: Control Arm Identification

  1. #1
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    Control Arm Identification

    I need help figuring out if I have the correct control arms.
    Car is a 95 M3. I have close to one degree of caster difference and I'm trying to rule out mismatched control arms.

    I've measured what i can on both and haven't been able to draw conclusions from that. Anyone able to ID these based on markings? None of the numbers seem to match any control arm part numbers for the E36.

    Left:
    20190407_124919.jpg20190407_124938.jpg

    Right:
    20190407_124959.jpg20190407_125019.jpg

    Any help appreciated!

  2. #2
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    Not sure if this will help, but I believe non-M e30's and the '95 e36 M3 have interchangeable control arms. e36's newer than '95 have a different geometry. Maybe try cross referencing some e30 control arm part numbers.
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  3. #3
    RRSperry's Avatar
    RRSperry is offline Senior Moment Member BMW E36 M3 Expert
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    Actually, it's the E30 M3 arm that's interchangeable. But they are aluminium and are really a race car part, and should be replaced every two years on a E36. And yes, the non M E30 cars are the same geometry as the 95 E36, but the ball joints are not as robust as the E36 M ball joints. Yes you can press in E30 non M ball joints into the E36 arms... (probably a good idea to use the HD ball joints.
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  4. #4
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    Thanks for the cross reference idea. Spent some time on real oem but cant seem to find any e30 or e36 part numbers that match up with anything stamped on my control arms. I'll keep digging around in the meantime.

  5. #5
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    <95 M3 arms 31122227249 & 31122227250
    96+ M3 arms 31122228461 & 31122228462
    Non-M arms _31126758513 & 31126758514

    My hunch would say the side with increased caster is running a 96+ arm

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  6. #6
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    Yeah definitely could be. Just dont really have a way to know for sure beyond getting a new arm and testing it out.

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