Control Arm Brands

[jdoublehcubed]

I've noticed that my roadster has started tramlining somewhat badly, and the steering feels a bit looser than it should, so I'm planning on replacing my tie rods and control arms.

I'm wondering how people feel about brands for control arms. OEM arms are about $275 a piece. Control arms are a pretty basic item thats been around forever, so I'm comfortable going with a aftermarket control arm from a reputable manufacturer. Moog control arms, which I would generally trust, as I feel Moog is a pretty respectable brand, are only $76 a piece, which seems impossibly low for a complete control arms. Lemforder, which I would consider to be about on part with Moog, are $175 a piece. If the Moog arms cost more I would feel a lot more comfortable buying them, but the low price is making me nervous.

Though?

[dc_wright]

Lemforder is an OEM supplier to BMW so there's a solid data point for going with them. Meyle, also makes control arms for the E85/86. I haven't seen it show up in any of the E85/86 forums, but a lot of people have had issues with the Meyle E36 control arms.
I used the Lemforder arms when I replaced mine.

[jdoublehcubed]

Has anyone used the Moog arms before? I agree Lemforder is a rock solid choice, what I'm really looking for here is whether or not anyone has used Moog before, and if they were acceptable. The 60% cost savings is pretty attractive.

[jdoublehcubed]

bump, anyone?

[dc_wright]

Originally Posted by jdoublehcubed

bump, anyone?

I think the answer is in the lack of responses....

I don't remember any mention of anyone using them in the E36, E46, or other Z4 forums I'm on either.

[Don L]

Hi

Not wanting to high jack this post but, dc_wright, how difficult was it to remove the inner ball joint nuts on the control arms. I did arms on a 2002 3 series and the RH side was a bear. Thanks

Don

[dc_wright]

Originally Posted by Don L

Hi

Not wanting to high jack this post but, dc_wright, how difficult was it to remove the inner ball joint nuts on the control arms. I did arms on a 2002 3 series and the RH side was a bear. Thanks

Don

Are you asking about access to the nuts or difficulty in getting them broken loose and off?

If it's access, they're E46 control arms and the steering knuckles are too so access is same as the E46 you worked on. If you're referencing difficulty in getting them broken loose it really depends on the environment they've been in. If they've had a lot of road salt exposure, then yeah, one or both could be troublesome to get the nut broken loose and getting it backed off without the joint spinning. You could also find the joint shaft frozen in the steering knuckle or cross member and have trouble getting free.

[Don L]

Hi

Access. I was able to remove the LH inner nut from the top with an extension on my ratchet. The RH side I could break loose from the top but the motor mount was in the way to be able to completely remove the nut. I had to remove it from underneath with an open end wrench, 1/4 turn at a time. The replacement nuts were larger, 22mm, on the new arms. I couldn’t tighten the RH nut at all from the top. I was hoping that the engine mounts wouldn’t be in the way on the Z4, given that it’s a different engine than the M54.

Don

[The HACK]

IMO. Grain of salt. Usual disclaimer.

The front lower control arms are pretty beefy. Unless the ball-joint is shot I wouldn’t replace it. Or because race car. And if the ball joint is shot, i’d Replace it with one that has replaceable ball joint.

Just saying.

For the right hand side you need a stubby gear wrench type ratchet wrench, and a crows foot plus extension to tighten to torque.

[jdoublehcubed]

Last time I was driving it felt like the ball joints were shot. I've got a 100k on the clock, most of it on rough east coast roads. I know its ready for the bushings, so I suppose the ball joints may be OK, but I figured if I'm going to do half the work to replace the bushings I might as well do the whole job.

Haven't seen any Z4M control arms with replaceable ball joints yet, are you familiar with any?

[joelselman]

I agree with Hack. I've got 35,000 total miles with about 20,000 track miles on mine and I've not had issues with ball joints or tie rod ends. Front control arm bushings went early but they're easy to replace w/o removing control arms. Can't speak as to upper shock mounts as I'm running camber plates.

[3002 tii]

What Hack said... the oe control arms should easily last over 100k and it's just the bushings that get worn every 30-40k. Replace with pre-pressed ones and the job is really simple. If you do end up replacing arms, Meyle HD is good choice and pretty affordable.

[jdoublehcubed]

Originally Posted by 3002 tii

What Hack said... the oe control arms should easily last over 100k and it's just the bushings that get worn every 30-40k. Replace with pre-pressed ones and the job is really simple. If you do end up replacing arms, Meyle HD is good choice and pretty affordable.

I've done the bushings before, and it was a pain in the ass to reuse the lollipops. I figured if I was going to go through all that again, I might as well do the arms too.

Where have you found bushings available in the lollipops? Last time I checked all the ones with M bushings (mounting location offset from center) were no longer stocked in the US.

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by jdoublehcubed

I've done the bushings before, and it was a pain in the ass to reuse the lollipops. I figured if I was going to go through all that again, I might as well do the arms too.

Where have you found bushings available in the lollipops? Last time I checked all the ones with M bushings (mounting location offset from center) were no longer stocked in the US.

Luckily I am non-M but there is a fellow on e46fanatics that sells fcabs with pre-pressed offset bushings (zhp and z4m are same), basically paying him for the labor.

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthr...519&highlight=

[jdoublehcubed]

Originally Posted by 3002 tii

Luckily I am non-M but there is a fellow on e46fanatics that sells fcabs with pre-pressed offset bushings (zhp and z4m are same), basically paying him for the labor.

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthr...519&highlight=

thanks thats super handy. we have a press I can use at work, but this changes the job from 3-4 hours of taking stuff apart, driving to the office and back, and reinstalling to a way more manageable remove and replace task. ordering now.

[the fly]

Originally Posted by 3002 tii

Luckily I am non-M but there is a fellow on e46fanatics that sells fcabs with pre-pressed offset bushings (zhp and z4m are same), basically paying him for the labor.

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthr...519&highlight=

Only recently joined this forum, but that's me.