Do E39 aluminum front upper control arms fit E34?

[Mark185]

I think I read years ago that the E39 upper control arms would fit the E34 but don't trust my memory. I am interested because I can get a pair of them cheap and they are Lemforder aluminum control arms. Does anyone know if the part is a direct swap?

[chislern]

I think I read e31 arms fit. Not positive. Cheers, George

[shogun]

based on ETK for E34
upper usage E34 only
lower usage E34 and E32 = same p/n

[Mark185]

I think I read e31 arms fit. Not positive. Cheers, George

You are correct. E31 lower control arms do fit and are considered an upgrade because they have a spherical joint on the inboard end instead of a simple rubber bushing. I was hoping the E39 upper arms would fit so I could install this spherical joint made for E39 by GAS :

https://germanautosolutions.com/store/bmw-e39-monoball/

This morning I asked the owner of GAS if he had looked at making one for the E34. He said not yet and was not sure there are enough E34's still on the road to justify the engineering effort to make one. Assuming E39 arms are not a direct swap, I wonder if we have enough members on this forum that would be interested to make a group buy? GAS owner said if the bore diameter on the inboard end of the E34 upper control arm is smaller than the E39 then it would not be possible to make a monoball spherical joint for it. He said the E39 arm's inner diameter is at the limit of what is possible for his design. I purchased a set of his control arms with monoball installed for my E39.

[theBMWbeast]

This is a solved issue:

https://angry-ass.com/product-organi...bearings-5tb37

https://mooseheadengineering.com/#!/...tegory=1512126

https://www.akgmotorsport.com/produc...minum-e32-e34/

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-3...-arm-bearings/

[Mark185]

This is a solved issue:

https://angry-ass.com/product-organi...bearings-5tb37

https://mooseheadengineering.com/#!/...tegory=1512126

https://www.akgmotorsport.com/produc...minum-e32-e34/

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-3...-arm-bearings/

Thanks, I particularly like the Moosehead Engineering one. I have been out of the E34 world for most of the last 8 years and was not aware they existed.

[theBMWbeast]

Mooseheads are great, I have them on all my cars. Angry Ass is a distributor if Paul doesn't have any in his personal stock. Can't go wrong for the price, especially since you can have them installed in Lemforder arms.

[moroza]

The bushing problem has been solved [sic] - if I can feel the difference between 750iL bushings and stock E34 white-caps, I am highly skeptical that a solid joint will ride as well as stock - but the upper arms are still steel.

[93FIM5]

If you have any questions regarding the Moosehead bearings please reach out. Happy to answer any questions.

The bushing problem has been solved [sic] - if I can feel the difference between 750iL bushings and stock E34 white-caps, I am highly skeptical that a solid joint will ride as well as stock - but the upper arms are still steel.

Hahaha that is quite the calibrated Ass you have sir!

Greg

[moroza]

70% I'm moving to CO next year. When I do, I might set up a rival business to Angry Ass; I'll call it Fussy Ass.

[93FIM5]

70% I'm moving to CO next year. When I do, I might set up a rival business to Angry Ass; I'll call it Fussy Ass.

I hope at least half of this is true!

Greg

[BleedsBlue]

At first glance I definitely read that as "Fuzzy Ass"