E36 Front Control Arm Replacement (BMW E46 E30)

Parts + support provided by: http://www.fcpeuro.com/

See the layout of the front suspension on the BMW 3-series (and many others of course) to better plan your control arm replacement. Video lists the essential tools required.

Other great resources:
http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/techarticles/JF-Tech/E36_Control_Arm_Replacem...
http://www.understeer.com/lcab.shtml

Torque specs:
- Ball joint to cross member 85 Nm / 62 ft-lb
- Ball joint to steering arm 65 Nm / 48 ft-lb
- Bushing carrier (lollipop) to body 47 Nm / 34 ft-lb
- Sway bar drop link (M8) 42 Nm / 31 ft-lb
- Wheel to hub 100 +-10 Nm / 74 +-7 ft-lb

E36 front suspension familiarization:

The front suspension is designed with minimum positive offset. This geometry contributes to stability when traction is unequal from side to side. [...] The control arm mounting points are designed with anti-dive geometry. The suspension reduces the normal tendency for the front of the vehicle to dive under hard braking.

Photos taken during:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jumph4x/sets/72157623675550270/

Slideshow version:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jumph4x/sets/72157623675550270/show/

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• e36
• e30
• e146
• control arms
• bmw 3-series
• 318i
• 325i
• 328i
• m3
• front suspension
• highway vibration
• ball joint

[sunnyjason]

what happened to your hair?



[dejilted]

@sunnyjason Your sister.

[e34west]

I don't have an E36 but this video is really great! Awesome video and editing work, and the voice-over and music are very soothing, making me think that doing this, or any BMW job will be a breeze. Thanks!

[dejilted]

@e34west Thanks :)

[TheMegsie1]

He doesn't mention the most difficult parts of doing this job. You can't just undo the balljoints & hey presto!, off they come! They are tapered & can be a real bastard to get off, especially the outer one. You also need to press out the bush from the "lollipop" as he calls it, & press in new ones if you're gonna do the job properly. Don't get me wrong, it's a handy guide but a bit misleading in terms of difficulty. You don't need to remove the anti roll bar either (sway bar).

[dejilted]

@TheMegsie1 Additionally, the lollipops most often come with bushings pre-installed, this was the part-set used in the video, this is the reason for not mentioning it.

[LUVLYJUBLY1000]

Very good video man...Thank you

[QuitosTheSPic]

Hey can you please tell me exactly what parts you got for your vehicle, we have the same vehicle and the same shaking in the front tires is happening to me too. Can you please send me a link of what you purchased bushings and control arms both please and thank you would mean a lot!

[mi16t]

did this 4 times already. I don't take out the sway bar, pita to put back

[AggieAze]

Keep more of these videos coming. Great video! Informative, good speech and music! Thank you!

[mmmmtastyful]

great voice and sweet ass vid i'v been saving it for years and just changed my controll arm's and used this perticular vid for the install... mad love bro

[Damian77bmf]

now i know how... nuffsaid!

[howiedanja]

excellent vid bro..nice e36 too ;)