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10-21-2017, 12:53 AM | #1 |
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Control Arm Brands
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? |
10-21-2017, 08:40 PM | #2 |
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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.
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10-21-2017, 09:14 PM | #3 |
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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.
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10-26-2017, 07:48 PM | #5 |
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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.
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10-28-2017, 02:46 PM | #6 |
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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 |
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10-28-2017, 04:30 PM | #7 | |
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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.
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10-29-2017, 06:19 AM | #8 |
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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 |
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11-03-2017, 09:13 AM | #9 |
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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.
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11-03-2017, 03:31 PM | #10 |
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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? |
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11-26-2017, 10:15 AM | #11 |
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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.
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12-09-2017, 09:51 AM | #12 |
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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.
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12-11-2017, 04:49 PM | #13 | |
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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. |
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12-11-2017, 09:32 PM | #14 | |
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Garage List F15 X5 xDrive35i [8.75]
E86 Z4 M [10.00] F10 550i (Retired) [9.17] F25 X3 xDrive35i (R ... [9.43] E82 135is (Retired) [9.50] E85 Z4 M (Retired) [9.41] E90 328i xDrive (Re ... [9.25] E86 Z4 3.0si (Retired) [9.24] |
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http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthr...519&highlight= |
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12-12-2017, 12:18 PM | #15 | |
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01-05-2018, 02:27 PM | #16 | |
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