BMW e30 M3 Wreck :(((

[ian3]

Hey everyone,

Today I had a suspension failure with my 88 m3. I was getting ready to make a left turn when all of a sudden my car would not steer. I managed to brake and steer the car into a small ditch but the bumper is near destroyed. After it was towed to my house, I looked at my car and saw that the tie rod was not even connected to the wheel. Because the tire was literally dragging on the ground sideways my control arm is also bent. What is the part that connects the tie rod to the wheel? I think it is called the front housing strut spindle but I am not sure. If it is, where can I find these and how much do they cost? Are they all interchangeable within e30 cars?

Thanks everyone for the help! I am trying to get the car back up and running ASAP.

[Jparkr]

Go to RealOEM.com and look up your car. It will become your new favorite website for questions like this.

Can you post a picture by any chance? I'm not sure if your trying to say the tie rod end's ball joint came out of the strut or if the lower part of the strut itself is damaged.

As for pricing Real OEM will give you a ballpark when you locate your part in question.

[reelizmpro]

The part that connects the tie rod to the strut housing is unique to the M3. They are still available new as far as I know. Need more info on what happened exactly. If the 4 bolts that secure that knuckle to the strut fall out, it'll separate from the strut but still be attached to the tie rod.

[ak-]

Sorry to hear. Control arms and strut housings are costly for the m3

[M-technik-3]

There was a set of knuckles for sale over on S14.net But to make sure this is truly an M3 can we see some photos.

Sorry to hear of your misfortune.

[ian3]

It is a real m3...but here are some pictures. If you look closely the part actually snapped where it attaches to the tie rod...I already managed to get part of the broken piece from the tie rod but now I need to replace that part and the control arm....Please let me know what I should and what I should replace with some possibilities of how much it will cost..Thanks again everyone for the help, much appreciated

[M-technik-3]

Very nice looking car. Very surprised you are searching for info here vs S14.net. Did your Evo spoiler survive?

http://martinmotorsportsinc.com

http://jfmotors.procarcarezone.com

http://www.roadracetech.com/

I would recommend RRT to start with if you are DC area.

[ian3]

if you notice...the piece that failed is still connected to the tie rod. It also is mounted by four bolts that connect to the bottom of the shock. The control arm is also bent. What I think I can do if I get that part is take those four bolts out that mount it to the shock and then get a new one remount it and put the tie rod back on. I will also be replacing the control arm as well. Does anyone know if this is the correct procedure?

[bmwmech1]

Pretty impressive to break that piece, it's forged and really robust. Hopefully, your damage is not too severe... GL

Garey

[M-technik-3]

http://www.s14.net/forums/showthread.php?t=52340

The bad is they were sold/

Yeah you need a new knuckle and most likely a control arm. You have aluminium arms so I would replace them in pairs.

The tire rod is wasted too might be able to save the inner arm.

[ian3]

do you know where I can find that left steering knuckle? I know pelican parts sells the aluminum control arm...and how can you tell the tie rod is wasted? Is it the bushings?..Thanks again for the help M-technik-3

[M-technik-3]

I thought I saw a split in the boot, but after looking some more I was mistaken. But I would still look to see if it's bent.

http://www.blunttech.com/

the site owner is a member here, and can get it at a good price. My concern is why it broke, as Garey mentioned it's a tough piece.

[ian3]

great question...now that I think about it every time I turned left the whole car would vibrate...I thought it could have been the alignment and was gonna get it serviced...but the car was in an accident on that side about a year ago so I don't know if it deformed or got slightly cracked before because the car is rarely driven...It scared the living shit out of me but I'm glad it isn't too bad of a fix...the only bad thing is that I don't have much money and will have to go with some cheaper control arms rather than the aluminum ones...

[ian3]

he does not have the part in stock...do you know of anywhere else? this part is gonna be hard to find :(

[M-technik-3]

No it should not be. It might take 3-5 days to have one shipped from Germany but any dealership can order one.

I suggest contacting Tischer BMW they have great pricing.

You can add standard OEM steel e30 arms they are heavier but are the same.