Affordable e36 m3 Control Arms DIY

[monty23psk]

Great question ^, was wondering the same thing.

[Cha Ching]

1. Used '96+ e36 m3 control arms. These can be had for free from your local BMW stealeship's scrap bin.


What's the best way to go about securing a set of these 'scrap bin' e36 M3 control arms? Should I just inquire with the service advisor at my nearest BMW dealer?

[Aptyp]

I have a Right side E36 M3 control arm with worn balljoints if anybody wants it for this... Aptyp this is a good find, and not that it really matters in our E30s, but dont the E36 M control arms use a stronger metal encased balljoint where the normal E30 balljoint uses plastic?

You're thinking Meyle (spelling?) ball joints and arms. You can get those heavy duty ball joints from BavAuto, but there's absolutely nothing wrong with Lemforder joints, and they're proven quality.

Great jobbie, but clarify the point of doing this...The e36 M3 control arms should be free (because there are so many of them), you just pay to have the ball joints pressed in & for new ball joints?

So in the end, one effectively pays about $45/control arm vs. $115/EACH for a new Lemforder, right? While still maintaining OEM BMW quality & fit?

Welcome aboard...

• You NEED '96+ e36 m3 control arms for 5-lug swap
• Those control arms cost at least $180 a piece
• Used control arms with worn out joints are free
• Press new ball-joints in to have brand new control arms
• Total cost is forth of the price of new control arms while retaining factory quality and fit with OE ball-joints.

[Cha Ching]

Great jobbie, but clarify the point of doing this...The e36 M3 control arms should be free (because there are so many of them), you just pay to have the ball joints pressed in & for new ball joints?

So in the end, one effectively pays about $45/control arm vs. $115/EACH for a new Lemforder, right? While still maintaining OEM BMW quality & fit?

[bimmer630]

I have a Right side E36 M3 control arm with worn balljoints if anybody wants it for this... Aptyp this is a good find, and not that it really matters in our E30s, but dont the E36 M control arms use a stronger metal encased balljoint where the normal E30 balljoint uses plastic?

[Aptyp]

yeah, I actually took e30 and e36 m3 control arms to machine shop and pressed out both ball joints and made 100% sure they were same dimensions in every respect. They were. This would be too selfish of me to keep to myself :).

[Mossman]

I don't know what is more unbelievable, how awesome this is or that no one thought of it before now. I was just about to put a set of arms on my car with split boots just cuz new ones are expensive, now I have an alternative. You rock man, will definitely be checking out your new site.

[Aptyp]

$100 e36 m3 Control Arm Solution

Parts Needed:
1. Used '96+ e36 m3 control arms. These can be had for free from your local BMW stealeship's scrap bin.
2. e30 Ball Joints. All four cost well under $100, even for Lemforder brand. I spent $72 on Lemforders, and that was from Carquest. I'd get name brand here, you wouldn't want shitty no name ball-joints in this application. You're not saving money when you're risking your life.

Tools Needed:
1. Press and a good large socket selection to use with press.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE A PRESS, go to a machine shop and pay $20 to have this done for you.


In pictures:

DONE.

Result:
1. You've saved at least $200
2. You have Original Equipment BMW parts on your car.



Hope you enjoy and be able to use this and come support my e30/DIY/Project site, Torque-Bound, and as always I'll continue being loyal r3ver and answer all questions that come my way that I have answers for.