Lower Control Arms Lemforder from Kit from FCP Euro - they look different

[kezug]

All, is this too much difference in these 2 Control Arms from my Kit Order?
I have never ordered or installed but same company and same packaging but I am not sure I am comfortable for these differences OR is this common and its fine?

[bluptgm3]

….well, they do appear to be Lemforder sourced parts. All the ball joints appear to display the Lemforder logo.

Lemforder parent company ZF

[Hoyt Clagwell]

'not an engineer but I would say as long as the geometry is the same as far as the relative positions of the ball joints go, they should be good to use.
I do understand your trepidation. I'd be a little OCD about this sort of thing myself.

I can't remember, did you order the left and right sides together as a kit or were they separate orders? If it was the same order, you could call the vender and ask what up?

[kezug]

I ordered it as an 8 pc kit. The thing is, I received 1 arm all by itself on Wed, the rest of that kit arrived separately. Hmmm

Yeah, I will contact FCP Euro and hopefully they make it right.



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[kezug]

So, life throws curve balls and surely got a few thrown at me, I think one was a knuckle ball actually. I have not had any time to work on what I want to call my therapy project/car. This BMW aquiring is working out to be a therapeutic thing. I am not sure anyone else but my closest family/friends will see it that way, I dont care actually. "therapy" comes in many forms, I am learning this car is my new form. My brother reminded me that its OK, its a healthy thing, definitely better than what other types of escapes could be.

Ok, enough about my personal stuff, but back to this topic.

So, FCP Euro has made attempts to correct this Lower Control Arm diff. They sent me another pair, with prepaid shipping label to return the other. I was happy, that is, until I received the new pair. The new pair, is different, just like the original pair (see my picture) except its the opposite arm with the diff way the part is shaped.

So, I could match up the 2 diffs, so that I have 2 pair of LCAs that look the same in each pair.

However, I am asking FCP Euro to reach out to their expert staff to advise which one I should use. Why is the gap so distinctly there in the bottom of one outer ball joint than the other? Which is the one I should use or perhaps it doesnt matter...but I want THEM to tell me.
I dont know enough to guess.

I dont know what the purpose of that bottom bracket below the outer ball joint serves and/or does it matter if gaped or not.

So, I await for their response.

Perhaps due to time down on this service job and while I deal with those curve and knuckle balls, I just also ordered a Pair of LCAs from ECSTuning, same Lemforder.

I will soon have 3 pairs of LCAs in my garage....LOL (almost insane laugh) but I will then pick the proper and return the others. I dont care if I have to incur a small shipping fee on one or some.


QUESTIONS:
1) what is the actual purpose of that bottom yellow color bracket on the outer ball joint? I mean, is it just a protection of the bottom (like from rocks) or is it like holding the pressed in ball joint so it doesnt fall???
2) Inner ball joint as I rotate it around on one of the LCAs has a bit of a feel to it, its not super smooth feel like the other 3 I have in hand. It has a tiny clicky feel. It has the same resistance feel as the others, but it has a clicky or vibration feel. Its slight, but its there. I want to just be sure that is NOT one I use. Would you agree? (assuming if I can slightly feel something that its a sign that something is wrong inside and it may just be a precursor to premature bigger failure later) -- I doubt that this would not be felt in the vehicle at first install, its that slight but enough to gain your thoughts.


Lastly, I think I know why some spend time under their cars wrenching in the garage...its a hobby on one hand for sure, its a necessity on the other hand for sure, but its a healthy escape/choice as well.

Here's to happy healthy wrenching.

[ZGator]

So, life throws curve balls and surely got a few thrown at me, I think one was a knuckle ball actually. I have not had any time to work on what I want to call my therapy project/car. This BMW aquiring is working out to be a therapeutic thing. I am not sure anyone else but my closest family/friends will see it that way, I dont care actually. "therapy" comes in many forms, I am learning this car is my new form. My brother reminded me that its OK, its a healthy thing, definitely better than what other types of escapes could be.

Ok, enough about my personal stuff, but back to this topic.

Lastly, I think I know why some spend time under their cars wrenching in the garage...its a hobby on one hand for sure, its a necessity on the other hand for sure, but its a healthy escape/choice as well.

Here's to happy healthy wrenching.

Can relate for sure! I am the same way now - I have mine up on stands doing the most work on it in 24 years of ownership. Including the 3rd set of control arms - I went with Meyle - last ones have about 100k on them so I decided to refresh them.

I am slow and deliberate working - which makes it less stressful - it's great when you can just walk away - will have to post some pics on my other thread soon - I am doing pretty much all the rubber bushings, links, control arms, brakes, rsfb, rcabs. The driveshaft and rear sub frame will soon be removed.

[BimmerBreaker]

The lower plate doesn't affect functionality. If you want a matching set though, it sounds like you have a matching set - if that set is not the one that is "clicking" then I would install those.

I doubt FCP or any distributor will have an answer for you on your question. They buy them from the supplier and they are functionally identical parts despite some cosmetic differences.

[rf900rkw]

You have rubber isolated ball joints. The strap is for when the rubber fails, the joint can't separate totally from the arm.

[kezug]

Can relate for sure! I am the same way now - I have mine up on stands doing the most work on it in 24 years of ownership. Including the 3rd set of control arms - I went with Meyle - last ones have about 100k on them so I decided to refresh them.

I am slow and deliberate working - which makes it less stressful - it's great when you can just walk away - will have to post some pics on my other thread soon - I am doing pretty much all the rubber bushings, links, control arms, brakes, rsfb, rcabs. The driveshaft and rear sub frame will soon be removed.

I will certainly look for your posts to see your experience.

The lower plate doesn't affect functionality. If you want a matching set though, it sounds like you have a matching set - if that set is not the one that is "clicking" then I would install those.

I doubt FCP or any distributor will have an answer for you on your question. They buy them from the supplier and they are functionally identical parts despite some cosmetic differences.

Thank you

You have rubber isolated ball joints. The strap is for when the rubber fails, the joint can't separate totally from the arm.

Thanks, that's the most information I have heard/read on what the purpose of that bottom bracket ("strap") is for. Makes sense now.

I would expect that a supplier like FCP Euro would have someone that would also know that and they should have responded with the same.

This gives me more comfort and to be ready when I do get back under the car.

[IndianaRoadster]

I agree with you about the "therapy" part, I've just completed five winters with my car and I've turned a slow, least enjoyable time of year into a time that I look forward to.

[Hoyt Clagwell]

I consider my Z3 the car that keeps on giving. I enjoy driving it all summer and working on it all winter. It's also a bit of an investment. Not that I intend to sell it as long as I am able to drive it but if need be, it's there.

[kezug]

I agree with you about the "therapy" part, I've just completed five winters with my car and I've turned a slow, least enjoyable time of year into a time that I look forward to.

The older I get, the harder I question why the F do I stay in this area where its dark and cold and dreary with snow or not for 3 months of the year. But I am thinking that I will use next winter for my projects. I have some heaters for my garage and will be making that use of time, until I finally part this area.

- - - Updated - - -

I consider my Z3 the car that keeps on giving. I enjoy driving it all summer and working on it all winter. It's also a bit of an investment. Not that I intend to sell it as long as I am able to drive it but if need be, it's there.

Surely we all like to make money on the resell but I have fun and get therapy out of my car, I dont mind at all if I sell if for nothing. The return on investment is with gains that are not monetary and any of that cost is still cheaper than vacations or other excursions I am sure (I mean, with modesty of course).