control arm broke and oil pan destroyed

[e30Rob]

Man talk about a shifty situation!...I'm glad ur ok and all goes well with ur repairs

[nando]

would you really want to use those cheesy control arms twice? even if they replaced it, I wouldn't want it on my car anyway.

[twright]

I have had very good luck with FCP Groton replacing defective parts. They always did it, with no questions asked.

Give them a call.

[Cobra Jet]

IMO, I don't understand why folks spend $$$ on complete aftermarket (ie: cheaply made) control arms (or even original Lemforder Dealer or vendor CA's) and just don't save $$ by replacing just the inner/outer ball joints... The ball joints can be replaced and for about $80+/-, you can replace all (4) BJ's without having to spend nearly $200+ on complete control arms.

If the factory original E30/E36 control arms are not bent or damaged (which most likely 98% of the time they won't be damaged on a highway driven vehicle) - you can get away w/ just replacing the ball joints. Plus, I've never heard of the factory original control arms failing during normal driving useage. Balljoints can fail sure, but not a CA busting into 3 pieces for no reason at all, especially if it was not IMPACTED OR HIT FIRST BY AN IMMOVABLE OR STATIONARY OBJECT.

Sure, maybe you or your friends don't have the press to pop out or install the BJ's, however, most local shops or garages will do this for you for very little cost if you bring the control arm + new BJ's... and you would still be saving coin...

~~

To the OP - did you contact FCP and send them pictures of the busted arm? Are they going to replace this part for you, or even reimburse you for any other damages caused by the failing part??? If it were me, I would have been on the phone to them right after having the vehicle towed back home... especially if I had purchased the part from them. What's the FCP warranty on such parts w/ regards to manufacturing defects?

[5KWattson]

what do you mean ebay parts aren't reliable...thats crazy talk

[reccaoconnor]

Lesson learned: Don't buy structural suspension parts on Ebay.

This.


I almost went with them (FCP Groton) when I was redoing my front suspension, then decided suspension wasn't something I trusted in the hands of ebay. Glad I decided to just save up the extra 100 or so bucks and go OEM.

The big stopper for me was that FCPGroton gets thier parts from 1 of 3 manufacturers, and you don't know which you're getting until it's at your door.

[lowlightbw]

lemforder ftw

[blck325is]

Absolute suck. Good to hear you and the car survived the break.

[Adrian_Visser]

probably one of those high strength lead alloys

[moatilliatta]

its china's finest pot metal...

[Aptyp]

Still want better pics, that break looks odd. Forged control arm wouldn't break like that, unless what you got from ebay wasn't forged.

[Massive Lee]

I have seen several control arms snap at the outer ball joint. It is known condition on tracked e30, which is why it is recommended to change them every other track season. The break from the pictured control arm seems to come from an impact. They don't break there, unless perhaps the control arm is a low quality knock-off. Personally, I don't let friends instal anything but Lemforders.

[Goya20]

Im running a H&R sport spings with bilstein Sport Struts and the car is lowered like 1.3 inches. Also with 17 inch rims. I also dont know the brand. Imma try to find out. There was a dipp on the right hand side but not on the driver side which broke.

[Beach Bum]

Lesson learned: Don't buy structural suspension parts on Ebay.

[Leaf]

Huh?

What don't you understand about it not being ebay shit?? Are you serious?