Z3 A-trailing arms

[Aptyp]

IT IS IMPOSSIBLE to use stock axles with z3 trailing arms. Spindle is welded to trailing arms are 1 3/8" further out. You can measure that from shock pickup to caliper carrier pickups.

So, the best way to do this, it to grab z3 hubs, back plates and brakes, and plug it all into e30 trailing arm. Benefits are numerous, but among those, you get to keep your stock ABS in the rear.

[DaveM-sport]

Would it not be far easier to just put on some E30 M3 hubs onto the E30 trailing arms?!?

[Aptyp]

Yes it would be... BUT, z3 trailing arms+hubs+calipers+rotors are cheaper than e30 M3 hubs alone.

[mikeedler]

IT IS IMPOSSIBLE to use stock axles with z3 trailing arms. Spindle is welded to trailing arms are 1 3/8" further out. You can measure that from shock pickup to caliper carrier pickups.

So, the best way to do this, it to grab z3 hubs, back plates and brakes, and plug it all into e30 trailing arm. Benefits are numerous, but among those, you get to keep your stock ABS in the rear.

so what offset wheel is going to be needed then?-- or is it easier to just use the complete Z3 rear axle if I have the Z3 shafts too???

[Aptyp]

I tried multiple wheels, I tried one stock e46 wheel with ET46, and even then it was poking a slight bit.


Right now I have z3 hubs pressed into e30 arms and running ET15 wheels, I'll have pics up really soon.

[mikeedler]

did you use the Z3 caliper brackets then too??? I guess thats what I am going to do then-- easier to get e30 shafts if one does break.

[Aptyp]

yup, used z3/318ti caliper brackets. They are the same.


However I used standard e36 calipers, instead of z3 ones. They are almost identical, the only difference was location of the hose. All in all, I am happy with the set-up, and you're right, e30 axles are a LOT easier to find than z3 ones, I tried. Only option was to pick up a pair of new ones or drive to the end of earth for them. E30 axles cost nothing.

[Aptyp]

Style 65 replicas ET15

With z3 trailing arms



With z3 hubs in e30 trailing arms

[Aptyp]

I want some comments, how do you like the wheels?

[mikeedler]

one more question. will the stock e30 325i calipers bolt/fit on the e36 Z3 caliper brackets, or do I need to use e36 calipers on the rear?
disregard-- got me the Z3 rear calipers today.

[silence]

back from the dead....
Did you ever take measurements of the z3 trailing arms...I'm wondering how much farther out do they protrude compared to the stock e30 trailing arms.

[lonestar22]

http://extradrei.com/5lug.html