M3 lower control arm bushings (thrust arm)?

[stephenkirsh]

So my BMW mechanic who makes house calls on the side mentioned it's possible to put M3 LCA bushings on the non-M to help improve caster. My LCA bushings are shot and need to be replaced, so I'm thinking about doing this maybe.

Does anybody have any experience with this?

I know ECS Tuning sells Z4M bushings as advertised for the e46, but they don't quite look the same as normal LCA bushings… maybe you pop out the middle or something? I dunno

http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Suspension/Bushings/Control_Arm/ES48907/

[danewilson77]

Mmm... Don't know about that one.

It's not a toy, it's a Droid > Sent from my S4 > Mason, OH

[Hermes]

Yes, you press the old one out and press these offset ones in. There is another PN where they are already installed on the lollipop, but I just bought them raw and had them pressed in

I believe the ones on the Z4M are the same bushing as the M3, but don't quote me on that

Edit: per realoem they are not

Edit2: pn w/lollipop

Left 31 10 7 836 862
Right 31 10 7 836 863

[danewilson77]

Looks like you'd have to press them in perfectly, correct?

It's not a toy, it's a Droid > Sent from my S4 > Mason, OH

[Hermes]

Yes, I had Carl do it for me. He owns an E30 M3 (also has offset bushings) so I'm sure he knows how they are supposed to be set

[Johal E32]

I recommend you buy pre pressed bushings.

E46 M3 bushings I don't think will fit.. But Z4M bushings increase castor and will fit.

[Newjack]

I recommend you buy pre pressed bushings.

E46 M3 bushings I don't think will fit.. But Z4M bushings increase castor and will fit.

I'm running Z4M bushings that I bought from ECS. I bought them with them already installed in the bracket for easy install. They work great. As far as adjusting castor? I'm not sure, I had camber plates installed right after to get back to normal alignment (I installed an H&R touring cup kit which lowered the car at the same time I did bushings.)

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

[Hornung418]

Castor increases move the wheel further towards the front of the car.

Sent from my GS3.

[Newjack]

Castor increases move the wheel further towards the front of the car.

Sent from my GS3.

Derp.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

[stephenkirsh]

E46 M3 bushings I don't think will fit.. But Z4M bushings increase castor and will fit.

Can anybody confirm/deny this?

----

If I do go w/ the M3 ones, are these the ones to get?
right: http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-M3-S54_3.2L/Suspension/Bushings/Control_Arm/ES49173/
left: http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-M3-S54_3.2L/Suspension/Bushings/Control_Arm/ES49172/

[Johal E32]

Z4M fcabs will 100% sure fit into your current control arms.

[Hermes]

Can anybody confirm/deny this?

----

If I do go w/ the M3 ones, are these the ones to get?
right: http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-M3-S54_3.2L/Suspension/Bushings/Control_Arm/ES49173/
left: http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-M3-S54_3.2L/Suspension/Bushings/Control_Arm/ES49172/

They won't work per this thread

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=976845

Just buy the Z4M ones like the rest of us have done

[stephenkirsh]

Gotcha. Thanks

[stephenkirsh]

Looks like ECS doesn't sell them pushed in, so here's turner. These are the right ones?

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-19950-front-control-arm-bushing-left-e85-z4-m-roadster-m-coupe.aspx

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-54039-front-control-arm-bushing-right-e85-z4-m-roadster-m-coupe.aspx

[Hermes]

Those look right. I posted the part number in post #3

[stephenkirsh]

That was two weeks ago! I can't remember things like that!! :P

Thanks

[Hermes]

You're too young to be forgetting things yet

[stephenkirsh]

That was finals week for the last semester of my MBA, while working full time. That's my excuse :)