DIY M3/OEM Upper & Lower Control Arms

robc1976 · 04-11-2013, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fdawg4l

I wish you told me that 2 weeks ago. :-)

that sucks man!

StealYourFace · 06-28-2013, 10:03 PM

The oem are simply trw's... When I got mine 3 years ago from Tischer they had (and still do lol) both the ///M and TRW logos. 60,000 miles later, they are cooked and ready for replacement thanks to the shit roads in Buffalo.

fl0wmastr · 06-30-2013, 03:55 PM

Thanks for the DIY!
where did you buy the TRW M3 Upper Control / Thrust Arm ? Price?
Can you get away with just doing the Upper Control arm & not the lower control arm ?

4doorbmwpower · 08-08-2013, 06:46 AM

thanks for letting me know you had this, i will be doing this part for myself most likely, now how about bushings and all the other parts of an M3 refresh kit? maybe coilovers... same degree of simplicity????

robc1976 · 08-08-2013, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4doorbmwpower

thanks for letting me know you had this, i will be doing this part for myself most likely, now how about bushings and all the other parts of an M3 refresh kit? maybe coilovers... same degree of simplicity????

I would do everything in this order

Coil-overs
M3 control arms
M3 E93 front sway bar (thicker)
Rear adjustable toe arms

These all done at same time:

LSD
Powerflex full subframe bushings
DEFIV lockdown kit (if you have the power to warrant it)

doogee · 08-08-2013, 11:13 PM

You might want to look into why you have way more camber on the FL.

robc1976 · 08-08-2013, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doogee

You might want to look into why you have way more camber on the FL.

I had him change it the next day.

mlifxs · 08-10-2013, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fl0wmastr

Thanks for the DIY!
where did you buy the TRW M3 Upper Control / Thrust Arm ? Price?
Can you get away with just doing the Upper Control arm & not the lower control arm ?

I bought mine from fcpeuro.com but I think you can shop them and might see better prices. Try oembimmerparts.com , ecstuning.com, rmeuropean.com, turnermotorsports.com. There are probably others.

I think it's possible to do only one set at a time. I started with the wishbones (lower control arms) because I already had Meyle HD tension struts. A couple thousand miles later, I decided to go ahead and replace the Meyle tension struts as well since I liked the M3 feel.

Only concern I would have with regard to only one set: would having stronger bushings on one set shift more force on the other set and cause them to wear faster? I have no experience to suggest this but wondered about it.

alexb · 08-12-2013, 09:37 PM

Can I ask a really stupid question...? Is this sort of mod for RWD cars only? Or can I do this to my XI? 2006 330xi. Thanks in advance.

mckacdc · 09-28-2013, 01:41 PM

I just got this done last Friday. Had it aligned right after. was good at first. then slowly throughout the week it started pulling to the right.
I went yesterday and checked everything just to make sure nothing was lose. everything was fine. no movement anywhere other than the steering turning. also, looked like the inside of my front passenger tire was showing wear already. went and had the alignment check and it was slightly off, but they fixed it.
Still pulled to the right. Went this morning and had the front tires cross rotated. STILL pulls to the right...

What should I do next? I dont want this other tire to start wearing on the inside also.

FYI got it aligned at NTB.
front left front right
-1.1 camber -1.1
7.4 caster 7.0
.15 toe .16
25.5 SAI 14.0
24.4 IA 12.9

rear left rear right
-1.4 camber -1.6
.13 toe .09

Anything look off?

thanks in advance!

robc1976 · 09-28-2013, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mckacdc

I just got this done last Friday. Had it aligned right after. was good at first. then slowly throughout the week it started pulling to the right.
I went yesterday and checked everything just to make sure nothing was lose. everything was fine. no movement anywhere other than the steering turning. also, looked like the inside of my front passenger tire was showing wear already. went and had the alignment check and it was slightly off, but they fixed it.
Still pulled to the right. Went this morning and had the front tires cross rotated. STILL pulls to the right...

What should I do next? I dont want this other tire to start wearing on the inside also.

FYI got it aligned at NTB.
front left front right
-1.1 camber -1.1
7.4 caster 7.0
.15 toe .16
25.5 SAI 14.0
24.4 IA 12.9

rear left rear right
-1.4 camber -1.6
.13 toe .09

Anything look off?

thanks in advance!

total toe should be .18 which = .9 each tire. Try to get same in back. Also with M3 arms remove nipple out of tophat do you can max out camber.

mckacdc · 09-28-2013, 03:59 PM

ok, i think i found what you are talking about. i went out and looked and it looks like one side is taken out and the other isnt??
pass. side

driver side

that wouldnt make any since though if one side is removed and the other isnt because they have the exact same camber. am i wrong? would that mess with the alignment??

anyways, i tried searching, but how does one remove those anyway??

robc1976 · 09-28-2013, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mckacdc

ok, i think i found what you are talking about. i went out and looked and it looks like one side is taken out and the other isnt??
pass. side

driver side

that wouldnt make any since though if one side is removed and the other isnt because they have the exact same camber. am i wrong? would that mess with the alignment??

anyways, i tried searching, but how does one remove those anyway??

you can tell they are in the same spot, just take a vice grip and turn it to remove. They do have a Allen head but that usually doesn't work lol! After that just Jack up car so wheel is off the ground....loosen the (3) 13MM bolts abs push shock assembly in until it stops....tighten one of the top hat bolts to hold in place and then tighten other nuts to 26 ft lbs. 1 minute procedure. Do this to both sides of course.

robc1976 · 09-28-2013, 05:58 PM

To make it easier remove one nut complete so you can see it is pushed in all the way (you will see a small channel the bolts slide in.

froop · 10-03-2013, 04:26 AM

Hey Rob, thanks for the DIY!

Can I ask if you just reused all of the mounting bolts? ECS sells a front control arm kit with new bolts and nuts etc but I'm wondering if it's necessary to buy new ones.

robc1976 · 10-03-2013, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by froop

Hey Rob, thanks for the DIY!

Can I ask if you just reused all of the mounting bolts? ECS sells a front control arm kit with new bolts and nuts etc but I'm wondering if it's necessary to buy new ones.

Highly suggest it!

maupineda · 10-28-2013, 10:31 PM

thanks to robc1976. I just installed mine but they are quite challenging, Particularly the wishbone, what a bitch, it is as if the M3 subframe is different as the arms just dont go in, I had to bend the frame ends and file it down, glad it is aluminum or it would have taken forever, even so it took me 7 hours to complete the job although I changed the tie rods as well.

robc1976 · 10-28-2013, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maupineda

thanks to robc1976. I just installed mine but they are quite challenging, Particularly the wishbone, what a bitch, it is as if the M3 subframe is different as the arms just dont go in, I had to bend the frame ends and file it down, glad it is aluminum or it would have taken forever, even so it took me 7 hours to complete the job although I changed the tie rods as well.

someone over tighten them....this causes a bit impression and caused burrs. All you need to do is file and use anti-seize and it will slide in. I highly suggest not bending the frame like that...could cause vibration if arm does not dub in correctly.

maupineda · 10-28-2013, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robc1976

someone over tighten them....this causes a bit impression and caused burrs. All you need to do is file and use anti-seize and it will slide in. I highly suggest not bending the frame like that...could cause vibration if arm does not dub in correctly.

Totally agree, the only problem is that there was no way to get them in, while tighten them i did it very slowly making sure all mating surface sat. or maybe I was just not doing it the right way. I applied lube, use my rubber mallet and nothing, I had to file to eliminate all burs but still had open the ends. I jsut went to a quick drive and the response of the steering is completely improved, much more eager to steering wheel inputs. I think I did a good job by aligning the car to a point that is drive-able and tomorrow morning to the shop! Thanks Rob!

NSFW 335i · 10-30-2013, 06:50 PM

Are those custom alignment specs, 335i specs or m3 specs?

mrgreenwood · 11-08-2013, 09:23 AM

How do you torque the arms at the ball joint?

chris98m3 · 11-09-2013, 11:28 PM

I just installed my control arms without lifting the hub to tighten the bolts. Now its all out of wack what bolts should I tighten

06-28-2013, 10:03 PM	#24
StealYourFace Lieutenant Colonel 265 Rep 1,794 Posts Drives: F30 328i M 6mt, E36 M3 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Shakedown Street, Buffalo NY iTrader: (1)	The oem are simply trw's... When I got mine 3 years ago from Tischer they had (and still do lol) both the ///M and TRW logos. 60,000 miles later, they are cooked and ready for replacement thanks to the shit roads in Buffalo. __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-30-2013, 03:55 PM	#25
fl0wmastr Private First Class 92 Rep 130 Posts Drives: e92 335i Coupe w M Sport Kit Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Tampa, FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 07 BMW 335i [10.00]	Thanks for the DIY! where did you buy the TRW M3 Upper Control / Thrust Arm ? Price? Can you get away with just doing the Upper Control arm & not the lower control arm ?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-08-2013, 06:46 AM	#26
4doorbmwpower Captain 62 Rep 954 Posts Drives: Montego Blue E90 335i Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: North Carolina iTrader: (3)	thanks for letting me know you had this, i will be doing this part for myself most likely, now how about bushings and all the other parts of an M3 refresh kit? maybe coilovers... same degree of simplicity???? __________________ cp-e GTX3071R TT kit, cp-e quad exhaust, cp-e fuelbar, Stage 3 LPFP+lines, AEM EFI, Custom Meth kit, Apex EC7 18s w/R888 295s, Stoptech, M3 front, m-sport rear, cp-e difuser, Custom Headlights, CFS Radiator, Custom OC, 1000hp Lvl10 trans, DSS Axles, MFactory LSD, DEFIV lockdown kit, M3 refresh kit, KWv2's, cp-e project "4doorbmwpower"
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-08-2013, 11:13 PM	#28
doogee Major 759 Rep 1,262 Posts Drives: '08 M3, '09 328xi Sport Wagon Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Ancaster, ON, Canada iTrader: (0)	You might want to look into why you have way more camber on the FL.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-12-2013, 09:37 PM	#31
alexb Naturally Aspirated 3 Rep 85 Posts Drives: 2006 E90 330xi Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Southern New England iTrader: (0)	Can I ask a really stupid question...? Is this sort of mod for RWD cars only? Or can I do this to my XI? 2006 330xi. Thanks in advance.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-28-2013, 01:41 PM	#32
mckacdc Enlisted Member 8 Rep 32 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (0)	I just got this done last Friday. Had it aligned right after. was good at first. then slowly throughout the week it started pulling to the right. I went yesterday and checked everything just to make sure nothing was lose. everything was fine. no movement anywhere other than the steering turning. also, looked like the inside of my front passenger tire was showing wear already. went and had the alignment check and it was slightly off, but they fixed it. Still pulled to the right. Went this morning and had the front tires cross rotated. STILL pulls to the right... What should I do next? I dont want this other tire to start wearing on the inside also. FYI got it aligned at NTB. front left front right -1.1 camber -1.1 7.4 caster 7.0 .15 toe .16 25.5 SAI 14.0 24.4 IA 12.9 rear left rear right -1.4 camber -1.6 .13 toe .09 Anything look off? thanks in advance!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-28-2013, 03:59 PM	#34
mckacdc Enlisted Member 8 Rep 32 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (0)	ok, i think i found what you are talking about. i went out and looked and it looks like one side is taken out and the other isnt?? pass. side driver side that wouldnt make any since though if one side is removed and the other isnt because they have the exact same camber. am i wrong? would that mess with the alignment?? anyways, i tried searching, but how does one remove those anyway??
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-28-2013, 05:58 PM	#36
robc1976 DIYER 633 Rep 5,521 Posts Drives: E90 335i Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Illinois iTrader: (14)	To make it easier remove one nut complete so you can see it is pushed in all the way (you will see a small channel the bolts slide in. __________________ JB4 G5, Stage 3 LPFP, Stage 2 MOTIV PI, VM 6466 ST, Custom OCC W/ SS lines, ER FMIC, ER CP W/HKS BOV, M3 control arms, M3 guide rods, M3 upper links, M3 front & rear sway-bars, HPA rear toe arms, Wavetrac LSD, HPF Gen 2, DEFIV kit, KW clubsport, Delrin solid SF bushings, stoptech rotors, Rogue Tranny Mounts, 1M bumper, M3 CF hood, M3 fenders, M3 OEM sideskirts, Mtech rear bumper, CSL trunk, MORR VS8.2 rims 245/295
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-03-2013, 04:26 AM	#37
froop Colonel 174 Rep 2,682 Posts Drives: 08 AW 6MT E82 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Sydney, Australia iTrader: (3)	Hey Rob, thanks for the DIY! Can I ask if you just reused all of the mounting bolts? ECS sells a front control arm kit with new bolts and nuts etc but I'm wondering if it's necessary to buy new ones. __________________ froop's AW 135i Build Thread
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-28-2013, 10:31 PM	#39
maupineda Major 516 Rep 1,025 Posts Drives: E86 Z4MC Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Detroit, MI iTrader: (3)	thanks to robc1976. I just installed mine but they are quite challenging, Particularly the wishbone, what a bitch, it is as if the M3 subframe is different as the arms just dont go in, I had to bend the frame ends and file it down, glad it is aluminum or it would have taken forever, even so it took me 7 hours to complete the job although I changed the tie rods as well.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-30-2013, 06:50 PM	#42
NSFW 335i Lieutenant 108 Rep 559 Posts Drives: 08 e92 335i Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: ny iTrader: (7)	Are those custom alignment specs, 335i specs or m3 specs? __________________ 08 E92 335i AW Coral Red 6MT Fully Loaded\|AA DP\|BMS DCI\|JB4 G5\|Milltek full exhaust\|SSK\|Stett CP\|Tial bov\|Tinted window\|HID Fogs\|M3 Front\|Mtech Rear\|VMR V710\|ACS pedals\|V1 hardwired\|BMW Performance Parts-Shift knob-Boot-E-Brake-SteeringWheel\|CF Parts CSL trunk-V35 Hood-ACS roofspoiler\|Red Pre-LCIs\|Tow hook Plate\|Clutch Stop\|
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-08-2013, 09:23 AM	#43
mrgreenwood Private 7 Rep 58 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Pompano Beach, Florida iTrader: (0)	How do you torque the arms at the ball joint?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-09-2013, 11:28 PM	#44
chris98m3 Captain 132 Rep 727 Posts Drives: 2016 f80 m3,e90 07 335,2014 f1 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: peekskill ny iTrader: (1)	I just installed my control arms without lifting the hub to tighten the bolts. Now its all out of wack what bolts should I tighten
	Appreciate 0 Quote