E28 535i Hub assembly swap to get 5 stud

[pungky29]

i'm patiently awaiting any progress on this as well. though looking back through the pictures, i am a little concerned that this will more than likely not work. The hub knuckle differences are so great, thatyou would definelty need an extention bracket installed, just to keep the e28 brakes from touching the m3 control linkage.
as you can see in these pictures, the m3 knuckle has a part that extends down so the bolt-on linkage doesnt come near the brakes, etc.
The e28 strut/hub on the other hand has its mount point right up under the shock. The m3 linkage wont even come close to bolting up alone.
Just something to think about.

Hello friends, greeting from E30 owner in Indonesia

Let's think also the following data about E30 dan E28 front struts.
1) The guide support on E30 and E28 front struts are similar, BMW part number 31331139452
2) The upper spring plate on E30 and E28 front struts are also similar, BMW part number 31331128524
3) Ditto for upper spring pad, BMW part number 31331128523
4) And the lower spring pad too, BMW part number 31331124322

Meaning that E30 front springs can be used on E28 front axle.
This conclusion is confirmed by the discussion in Stancework forum (www.stanceworks.com --> tech --> ride control --> E28 lowering with E30 parts).
See also the discussion in MyE28 forum (www.mye28.com --> Tch Talk --> Spring diameter E28 vs E30)

Next, we need to shortened E28 front strut in order to install the E30 strut insert in E28 front strut housing.
After googling, I found out the following dimension:
E28 P36-0243 BMW E28 Sport insert tube 432 mm length
E30 P36-0335 BMW E30 325i Sport insert tube 418 mm length
Both having P36 = 36mm piston diameter
Thus, the E28 front strut housing need to be shortened 14mm (432mm - 418mm).

Checking the caster angle on both E28 and E30, I found out that:
E28 front caster angle +8 deg 46' + 30'
E30 front caster angle +8 deg 30'
We can use E36 M3 eccentric front control arm bushing to adjust the difference

Those are my investigation so far by comparing the available information from the internet.
Other advantage of using E28 front strut to make 5 lug conversion to E30 is the possibility to use larger front disc brake (280mm E28 front disc diameter compare to 260mm of E30 front disc diameter).

Cheers,
pungky29 - BMW Car Club Indonesia

[kickinindian]

so you would just get e28 front struts and cut out 14mm of the tube and use e36 bushings?

[pungky29]

Yes, I will get E28 front strut housing & cut out 14mm of the tube.
Regarding the E36 M3 eccentric FCAB, I'll check whether it is mandatory to use or not based on the result of front wheel alignment

Cheers,
pungky29

[reelizmpro]

Seems to me the cheapest method would be to sleeve the front struts and use e28 hub bearings then use e30 m3 hubs in rear. For brakes, the e28 stuff should work. Isn't this what rongineer has basically done?

[pungky29]

In my country a pair of used E28 front strut housing is very cheap, you can buy it for US$ 30/pair.
Besides cheaper, shortening the front strut housing is easier than making the sleeve.

With regard to the rear wheel modification, I use drive flange hub from E36 323ti compact due to the following reasons:
1. Similar radial angular contact ball bearing on E30 325i and E36 323 ti, BMW p/n 33416762317
2. Similar lock ring on E30 325i and E36 323 ti, BMW p/n 33411138648
3. Similar securing plate on E30 325i and E36 323 ti, BMW p/n 33411124945
4. Similar collar nut on E30 325i and E36 323 ti, BMW p/n 33411125664

You can compare on the following link:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...58&hg=33&fg=40 -- for E36 323ti

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...36&hg=33&fg=40 -- for E30 325i

Another interesting fact, both E36 323ti and E30 325i used similar dust protection plate on the rear wheel (BMW p/n 34211162061 left & 34211162062 right)

See these links:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...68&hg=34&fg=10 -- for E36 323ti

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...02&hg=34&fg=10 -- for E30 325i

On the above links, you can see that E36 323ti used 272x10 brake disc and E30 325i used 258x10 brake disc
Since the dust protection plate are similar, we can use E36 323ti brake disc but we need to make an adapter for E30 325i rear brake caliper to shift back 7mm.
It's a good combination with the front brake that now use 280mm disc from E28.

Cheers,
pungky29

[Massive Lee]

Doesn't the front e28 suspension use a double wishbone layout versus the e30's control arm?

[Eric]

Yes.

[The Dark Side of Will]

Terminology:
The E28 uses a virtual kingpin strut like the E34, but it's not what's broadly referred to as "double wishbone". The F10 is the first 5 series to hvae that.

[Massive Lee]

I wonder how it affects the car's steering and suspension when one puts an e28 strut on an e30... Take it from my experience. Don't make things more complicated than they can be. Simply sleeve the e30 knuckle. Done that 10 years ago on a race car running full slicks and V8.

[Rocla]

After few years, is anyone in real life running e28 struts with e30 M3 bottom mounts?

E34 strut is similar to e28 one, larger in allmost every direction(bigger bolts on bottom with sam pattern, larger tube diameter and longer tube).

E34 sturt with e34 bottom mount is a bolt on to e28, of course car will sit much higher with e34 parts.

Old e34 have same upper mount as e30 and e28, "new style" upper mount still has same pattern as e30 and e28.

[Massive Lee]

After few years, is anyone in real life running e28 struts with e30 M3 bottom mounts?

Different bolt pattern. AND 3 VS 4 BOLTS.

[reelizmpro]

Lee, someone mentioned using an adapter sandwich plate (akerman) to solve that problem. I too am also leary of swapping over too many parts. It often creates more problems.

[Rocla]

Different bolt pattern. AND 3 VS 4 BOLTS.

Yes, thats why I'm asking, the strut itself would be brilliant choise for e30, but I believe there is not a functional way to do this.

[Massive Lee]

The M3 Ackerman arms are also very difficult to find. If found used, it will usually be attached to a $2,000 M3 suspension and brakes. A simple sleeve on an e30 spindle will do the job. Been there. Done that.

[reelizmpro]

I'm with you Lee. How much for the sleeves? ;)