Front control arms

[Anubys]

So, I have recently received a pair of Z4M front control arm bushings and I am looking forward to installing them. However, I now noticed I have some play in the passenger side lower control arm and it should be replaced. I have been looking at various online retailers because the dealership wants $580CAD per side and I thought that was a bit ludicrous.

So my choices are;

The package of genuine bmw performance control arms (looks like it doesn't have the genuine M badge on them)
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-bmw-parts/bmw-performance-lower-control-arm-kit/31120429578/

The individual genuine pieces that look like they do have the M badge on them
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-bmw-parts/zhp-lower-control-arm-left/31122341297/

The individual Lemforder peices that say ZHP but don't appear to have the M badge on them
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-lemforder-parts/zhp-lower-control-arm-left/31122282121~lem/

I guess what I'm looking for is if there is a consensus on whether or not these are all exactly the same and if so is it worth just going with the Lemforder branded ones or if I should go with the package ones because they say "genuine bmw"

Thanks for any advice guys.

[Vas]

Lemforder zhp arms unless you want OE BMW ones that have the M logo.

[Anubys]

So literally the only difference is that m logo? For $100, that's insane!

[Vas]

So literally the only difference is that m logo? For $100, that's insane!

Correct. Lemforder is the manufacturer of them.

[danewilson77]

Good video here.

https://youtu.be/S6wTXQCXRNM

Sent from my S8+

[Anubys]

Good video here.

https://youtu.be/S6wTXQCXRNM

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Are you advocating that I go with a Meyle LCA instead of the ZHP one?

[az3579]

Good video here.

https://youtu.be/S6wTXQCXRNM

Sent from my S8+
In response to that video, all I can say is that when I put Meyle HD control arms and bushings (all at once) in my car, ALL of those items had failed within 30k. Never again.

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[ELCID86]

My Meyle HD FCABs started to separate in less than 12 months. Never again.

[RUS_ZHP]

+1. I had a bad experience with Meyle FCAB. They lasted approximately 20,000 miles. My arm are original, but I am definetly will be replacing them with Lemforder, because I've heard many good things about them.

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[danewilson77]

Right. I wasn't making a case for Meyle. Plus the video was published in 2010, well before any of us put Meyle stuff on our vehicles. Meyle quality has unquestionably gone down since then. Without a doubt.

I linked the video as I mistakenly believed this video compared BMW ///M control arms to Meyle and to Lemforder, which is still an OEM supplier to BMW.

My apologies for rustling the jimmies.

Sent from my S8+

[Anubys]

Lol @ rustling the jimmies, you don't see quality talk like that anymore. Honestly I didn't know that they had gone downhill and was genuinely curious if you thought the Meyle HD ones were a better option. But I guess all the other guys answered that real quick. :thumbup

[danewilson77]

Some of my research (not practical experience) would suggest that Meyle HD is ok, but I typically play it safe, don't buy Meyle, and only buy Lemforder or BMW.

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[az3579]

I can vouch for Lemförder's quality. It is significantly cheaper than OE, yet lasts just as long.
The last time I had replaced my control arms and bushings (all Lemförder) was on 11/07/2015 at 235,504 miles, which was about 45k miles ago. After driving on shit roads every day, they're still holding up great. The replacement before that was almost 100k miles prior, and that lasted quite a while as well. When replaced, they weren't totally trashed, either - they were just starting to get a little bit loose.

[RUS_ZHP]

45k on New England terrible roads, that's realy reassuring.

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[Anubys]

Looks like I'll be going with the Lemforder branded ZHP arms then.

[KIRIEIW]

Looks like I'll be going with the Lemforder branded ZHP arms then.

Put some in my e46 touring last month and couldn't be happier with the choice, the original arms at 165k had torn boots and the ball joints where not nearly as tight as the new sets.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4373/36637155782_5eefff646d_c.jpg

[danewilson77]

Put some in my e46 touring last month and couldn't be happier with the choice, the original arms at 165k had torn boots and the ball joints where not nearly as tight as the new sets.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4373/36637155782_5eefff646d_c.jpgSnap. Those puppies look beat. How'd you remove the old CA's? Just curious as to your method.

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[KIRIEIW]

Snap. Those puppies look beat. How'd you remove the old CA's? Just curious as to your method.

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Ball Joint Separator is your friend :biggrin. I use it on EVERYTHING these days, just makes everything a whole lot easier. As you can see from the pic, I used it while installing my Lemforder Tie Rods too. As for the ball joints that go threw the subframe, loosing those nuts are a bit of a pain. You can't fit a socket/ ratchet on fastener.. I had to use a 21mm ratcheting wrench was it? Maybe it was a 22mm. Once those nuts are removed get your mallet out and literally smake the control arm with it, thats what the BMW DEALER repair instructions say believe it or not.

PS: Avoid removing your wheel speed sensor fasteners at all cost's, I snapped both bolts removing them. At this point I'll need to remove the entire knuckle once I get my e30 up to date on maintenance (so I have a back up car) and drill the broken bolt out.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4159/34643087862_37a4cb6b7e_c.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4248/34805616885_f82e4f3b88_c.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4361/36637156582_09d709c66c_c.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4501/36606973673_65b7f6cf06_c.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4378/36606973653_9baa11f924_c.jpg

[danewilson77]

Ball Joint Separator is your friend :biggrin. I use it on EVERYTHING these days, just makes everything a whole lot easier. As you can see from the pic, I used it while installing my Lemforder Tie Rods too. As for the ball joints that go threw the subframe, loosing those nuts are a bit of a pain. You can't fit a socket/ ratchet on fastener.. I had to use a 21mm ratcheting wrench was it? Maybe it was a 22mm. Once those nuts are removed get your mallet out and literally smake the control arm with it, thats what the BMW DEALER repair instructions say believe it or not.

PS: Avoid removing your wheel speed sensor fasteners at all cost's, I snapped both bolts removing them. At this point I'll need to remove the entire knuckle once I get my e30 up to date on maintenance (so I have a back up car) and drill the broken bolt out.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4159/34643087862_37a4cb6b7e_c.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4248/34805616885_f82e4f3b88_c.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4361/36637156582_09d709c66c_c.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4501/36606973673_65b7f6cf06_c.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4378/36606973653_9baa11f924_c.jpgThanks for following up.

Sent from my S8+

[DARXIDE]

I used to do this work myself. Unfortunately, due to an illness, I leave this kind of wrenching to my Indy. Any identifying markings on Lemforder CAs? Just want to verify I got what I paid for.

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[KIRIEIW]

I used to do this work myself. Unfortunately, due to an illness, I leave this kind of wrenching to my Indy. Any identifying markings on Lemforder CAs? Just want to verify I got what I paid for.

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Yes on the bottom of the control arm ball joints, or any of there ball joints for that matter, you should see there signature "triangle" logo.


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[DARXIDE]

Yes on the bottom of the control arm ball joints, or any of there ball joints for that matter, you should see there signature "triangle" logo.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk[emoji106] Great! When I get it on the lift I'll check it out. Thanx

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[rangomango]

Did you ever get these installed? Will have to do mine soon, so curious if I should go lemforder (if its the same as OEM) or OEM.

[Anubys]

Did you ever get these installed? Will have to do mine soon, so curious if I should go lemforder (if its the same as OEM) or OEM.

My set are on order from FCP so hopefully arriving soon!

[rangomango]

My set are on order from FCP so hopefully arriving soon!

Sweet! Look forward to the feedback.

Edit: Assuming you went with lemforder?

[Anubys]

Sweet! Look forward to the feedback.

Edit: Assuming you went with lemforder?

Yes, I went with the lemforder ones. Here is a link to FCP for the exact products:
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-control-arm-front-left-e46-lemforder-31122282121

I'll let you know when I get them installed, still haven't arrived

[cornercarver]

Guys - sorry for the newb question; are the ball joints on our cars removable? Seems like people usually just replace the whole control arm, so I’m guessing they’re not.

I’m getting a pretty severe metal-on-metal ‘creak’ sound with small steering inputs and road imperfections. I think it’s one of the ball joints...don’t see anything else in the suspension which would make this kind of noise. Seems like a pretty straightforward replacement, so I think I’m just going to get a pair of Lemforders from FCP Euro along with FCAB’s and do it all at the same time.

Any cautions or advice?

[Vas]

Lemforder arms are a good choice.

Ball joints are not replaceable in them.

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[cornercarver]

:thumbsup Thanks.

[cornercarver]

Following up on this because it turned out that the 'creak' was actually coming from the front end links, which I replaced with spherical rod ends. They were not greased and creaked slightly with small suspension/steering movements. I greased them and the noise is gone.

That said, I'm looking for suggestions on FCAB's; I noticed at least 3 different options for urethane bushings on the ECS site; Starting with the Powerflex 'purple' which I believe are firmer than OEM, then their Turner Motorsports '80A' bushing (I assume that's the durometer) and finally the '95A' bushing.

Which bushings do you guys feel are most appropriate for a daily driver? I'm tempted to go with the '95A' bushings, but something tells me they're too firm and will transmit too much NVH to the cabin, especially since the roads around here suck. Powerflex strikes me as a cheaper brand, so that leaves me with the '80A' bushings.

Thoughts? What have people here been happy with?

[ZHPizza]

Those Turner monoball bushings look delicious

[cornercarver]

They sure do! If I was going to track the car I’d seriously consider them.

[holyc0w]

I have the AKG 95A FCABs and I haven't noticed much harshness with them.

https://www.akgmotorsport.com/product/front-control-arm-bushing-set-66-mm-for-bmw-e46-poly-95a/

[Newjack]

I have the AKG 95A FCABs and I haven't noticed much harshness with them.

https://www.akgmotorsport.com/product/front-control-arm-bushing-set-66-mm-for-bmw-e46-poly-95a/I thought these were the ones Justin had on his ZHP but maybe his were stiffer. I remember getting in his car, and it felt like a massage chair with all the vibrations. He would get to like 2800rpms and the car would shake violently until 2900-3000 rpms and it would return to normal. It was crazy.

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[holyc0w]

I thought these were the ones Justin had on his ZHP but maybe his were stiffer. I remember getting in his car, and it felt like a massage chair with all the vibrations. He would get to like 2800rpms and the car would shake violently until 2900-3000 rpms and it would return to normal. It was crazy.

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LOL, I haven't had that happen.

Maybe it was the 75D's?

I'm not sure if they offered the 95A before.

[cornercarver]

I have the AKG 95A FCABs and I haven't noticed much harshness with them.

https://www.akgmotorsport.com/product/front-control-arm-bushing-set-66-mm-for-bmw-e46-poly-95a/
Interesting... Thanks.

I wonder if there’s a chart somewhere which shows, in percentages, how much stiffer each durometer of poly is over OEM rubber.

[holyc0w]

Interesting... Thanks.

I wonder if there’s a chart somewhere which shows, in percentages, how much stiffer each durometer of poly is over OEM rubber.

Powerflex put some percentages on its site.
https://powerflexusa.com/howtochoose.aspx

Bushings are produced in one of three durometers – Yellow (70A, approximately 25% stiffer than stock), Purple (80A, approximately 30% stiffer than stock), and Black (95A, approximately 80% stiffer than stock).

[cornercarver]

Powerflex put some percentages on its site.
https://powerflexusa.com/howtochoose.aspx
Sweet! Thanks.

I ordered the Turner 80A bushings. At a minimum they should provide some improvement over stock, but I want to start out on the softer side for now and see how the car feels.

[Sockethead]

I thought these were the ones Justin had on his ZHP but maybe his were stiffer. I remember getting in his car, and it felt like a massage chair with all the vibrations. He would get to like 2800rpms and the car would shake violently until 2900-3000 rpms and it would return to normal. It was crazy.

I think you're talking about his poly engine mounts...