Mismatched FCAB?

[browndog]

F---ing HOA!

Sorry, had to get that out of the way. Explanation below.

I bought an '85 325e a couple of weeks ago. The front control arm bushings were shot. I ordered up a set of new control arms from FCP, along with poly bushings.

I got the drivers side control arm with new bushings in, but not before the HOA in our neighborhood s---t a brick about having the car up on jacks in our carport. "Unsightly," apparently. The way they turned their noses up, you'd think they spent all their time slurping Grey Poupon in the back of limousines.

Any case, our lease is up in July, and we'll prob be looking for a place with a garage. But until then, I need to minimize how long the passenger CA takes, so as to keep HOA off our back.

I've found that getting the old lollipop off the control arm, getting the old bushing out, and pressing in the new bushing is one of the most time-consuming parts of the process. To expedite the process, I was thinking about ordering up one of those lollipops from Bavauto with the bushing already pressed in. That way I can have the new control arm ready to go in as soon as the old one comes out = less time up on jacks.

But the bushing that comes in the Bavauto lollipop looks to be a stock rubber one. Anybody see an issue with this? Poly on one side, rubber on the other? Guess I could replace the brand-new rubber bushing with the poly one, but I hate to kill the brand-new bushing and kinda defeats the purpose.

Just wanna see what y'all's thoughts are on this one. Kinda offends my sense of order to have mismatched FCAB, but does it matter? This is not a track car, autocrosser, or even a DD. Just a project.

[jeffnhiscars]

Before I spent the $$ on replacement lollipops (that tend to last forever) with pre-installed CAB's, I'd try to borrow or scrounge a pair from another e30 addict and press in the bushing of your choice before hand. With new CA's this eliminates all your lollipop down time.

Remember, it's recommended you put weight on the CAB within 30 min of install (before the lube dries), so the bushing takes a proper "set".

[dogsbark26]

Wouldn't it be easier to hang a curtain over the carport entrance so the HOA couldn't see in? A couple of shower curtains maybe?

[Vivek]

Wouldn't it be easier to hang a curtain over the carport entrance so the HOA couldn't see in? A couple of shower curtains maybe?

Honestly, or just do it all one night and they'll never know.

[browndog]

Originally Posted by dogsbark26 View Post
Wouldn't it be easier to hang a curtain over the carport entrance so the HOA couldn't see in? A couple of shower curtains maybe?
Honestly, or just do it all one night and they'll never know.

Haha, I wish...I think that hanging shower curtains would piss them even more than having the car up on jacks. And as for doing it all in one night...they'll know soon as I start hammering on the pickle fork to break loose that lower ball-joint, trust me :) Last one took a good 20 minutes of pounding. Plus we're talking scant light for working up under the car, trying to do stuff like breaking loose that 22mm center ball-joint bolt on the top of the subframe.

Any case, I called around today about storage units. Seems I can get a 15x20 for $125 per month, lit, with restroom access and they're okay with working on your car in there (some places aren't). So that's my new plan. That way I can do things the right way, and not cut corners just to stay out of trouble in the neighborhood.

[go3go]

Before I spent the $$ on replacement lollipops (that tend to last forever) with pre-installed CAB's, I'd try to borrow or scrounge a pair from another e30 addict and press in the bushing of your choice before hand. With new CA's this eliminates all your lollipop down time.

Remember, it's recommended you put weight on the CAB within 30 min of install (before the lube dries), so the bushing takes a proper "set".

This is what I'd recommend as well. You can usually find a set pretty easily, and quite a lot cheaper than buying a set that's got the cab pre installed.

[browndog]

I agree that getting a used set would be the way to go. But fortunately I'm going to be able to use my own originals, I think.

As you know, my original intent was to minimize how long the car had to be up on jacks, due to our HOA. Well, I've been able to successfully hide when the car is on jacks. When I'm not actively working on it, I simply lower it down to stock height, using a fully-compressed bottle jack that goes much lower than any jack-stands I could find. I then stick the wheel back in the wheel-well. I Plasti-dipped the jack matte-black, and you can't really see it under there amid the shadows. I've had it like this for a week now, with the passenger-side strut housing and tie-rod removed, and no comments from the neighbors or HOA ;)

Now if I can just get the damn control arm off...