DIY M3/OEM Upper & Lower Control Arms

Azntincan · 11-08-2020, 07:08 PM

Just changed the front control arms to m3 OEM parts. The rear control arm(wishbone) was a B**** to put back into the subframe. We used a extension rod to expand the subframe a few mm. Then used a back end of rubber mallet and hammered it in to the space. Once we were able to get the bushing and the subframe slightly aligned, we placed a nail punch through one side and hammered it until it aligned on the other side. Now it was perfect for the bolt.
FYI, displacing the alignment, made it easier to remove and but back the bolt.

Dovydas.B · 04-15-2021, 08:56 AM

Guys, how did you managed to torque the wishbone and tension strut to the wheel bearing with T40 to 175 NM??? Because I don't see how can I use socket with torque wrench when there is a need to hold that the inner thing with T40.

Doing the m3 arms (front/rear) tomorrow.

mantis · 04-15-2021, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azntincan

Just changed the front control arms to m3 OEM parts. The rear control arm(wishbone) was a B**** to put back into the subframe. We used a extension rod to expand the subframe a few mm. Then used a back end of rubber mallet and hammered it in to the space. Once we were able to get the bushing and the subframe slightly aligned, we placed a nail punch through one side and hammered it until it aligned on the other side. Now it was perfect for the bolt.
FYI, displacing the alignment, made it easier to remove and but back the bolt.

its my understanding that all the M3 control arm bushing spacers(metal) are in need of being ground down a few thousandths to fit in the non M3 subframes

jamesfawcett · 06-25-2021, 05:31 AM

Sorry to dig up an old thread, but I can see it's already been dug up before

Anyone got the part number for the headlight level regulating rod, is it 37142283867 ?

Thanks
James

CreativeS · 12-21-2021, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamesfawcett

Sorry to dig up an old thread, but I can see it's already been dug up before

Anyone got the part number for the headlight level regulating rod, is it 37142283867 ?

6 month's later, but... yes!
And you need 2x 07129905817.

End of january they're going to do the upgrade on my E90 325i.

Richard Feynman · 01-06-2022, 03:55 PM

Thank you!

StradaRedlands · 03-09-2022, 10:58 PM

Well, I hoped to get it all done today, but that stupid wishbone threw my plans sideways. I'll take a little off it tomorrow, and hope I didn't gouge the subframe too much trying to force it in there. Front/torsion went in fine. I figured I'd be in and out in less than an hour. But still on the passenger side at this point. Dremel to the rescue tomorrow! Used hand tools and everything came off fine. One nut was really stiff and I had to really lean into it, the T40 bit holding the bolt never snapped!

R3dLeader · 03-29-2022, 12:26 PM

Is there a rough estimate for setting the toe to an acceptable value after the M3 arm install? I read 3.5 turns of the tie rod to toe out after the install will get you close. I think this came from the 1 series forums.

I plan to get a proper alignment later, but I think it should be possible to correct the toe approximately for now. At least so I can drive to the alignment rack lol.

Worst case, I could break out the strings and try to measure toe.
Worst worst case: my tie rods will be frozen

EDIT/UPDATE: Control arm install went smoothly except for the fact that the left thrust arm FCP sent me appeared to be a counterfeit from Malaysia. The aluminium had a totally different luster to it indicating different manufacturing process, the nut did not have the nylon lock, and other differences. It was pretty rough.

I had to order the left arm from Eeuroparts and it arrived as the genuine German TRW arm. I have pictures to compare the 2 if anyone is interested. The other 3 arms from FCP were genuine. Of course I contacted them and they are returning it and had discovered the problem on their own the day prior. They didn't inform their customers who purchased this kit....

Adjusted the left tie rod 3 turns as this should get the toe close. No issues with the tie rod. Tried to adjust the right tie rod and of course it was seized! The final step of my install.

New tie rods arrived yesterday and will complete that over the next few days. Will get a shop to check the toe but I'm curious how close my 3 turns (plus tie rod replacement) will get me. Stay tuned.

jurek_purek · 11-29-2022, 03:24 PM

hey
do you have some part no. for this parts?

thanks

kolopn · 08-26-2023, 04:14 AM

Just for buying info - Tension struts (big one arms) are being made in Malaysia - Ball joints now are made of chocolate, and going to fail very quick (In my experience after mounting new ones, ball joints starting to knock after 2-3 months of daily use).

TexasBimmerGuy · 06-05-2024, 02:02 PM

OP, I know I'm late to the party, but I'm doing this upgrade tomorrow. I'm watching the FCPEuro video and they say you should replace the clip-on nut for the thrust arm bolt. They didn't include those in the M3 upgrade kit. Did you replace those nuts? I don't see any mention of that in your tutorial (which is awesome BTW!) Thank you.

11-08-2020, 07:08 PM	#133
Azntincan New Member 2 Rep 5 Posts Drives: BMW e93 2010, MB GLE 2020 Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: New York iTrader: (0)	Just changed the front control arms to m3 OEM parts. The rear control arm(wishbone) was a B**** to put back into the subframe. We used a extension rod to expand the subframe a few mm. Then used a back end of rubber mallet and hammered it in to the space. Once we were able to get the bushing and the subframe slightly aligned, we placed a nail punch through one side and hammered it until it aligned on the other side. Now it was perfect for the bolt. FYI, displacing the alignment, made it easier to remove and but back the bolt.
	Appreciate 1 StradaRedlands6468.50 Quote

04-15-2021, 08:56 AM	#134
Dovydas.B Private 10 Rep 56 Posts Drives: E92 335i LCI Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Lithuania iTrader: (0)	Guys, how did you managed to torque the wishbone and tension strut to the wheel bearing with T40 to 175 NM??? Because I don't see how can I use socket with torque wrench when there is a need to hold that the inner thing with T40. Doing the m3 arms (front/rear) tomorrow.
	Appreciate 1 mantis278.00 Quote

06-25-2021, 05:31 AM	#136
jamesfawcett Second Lieutenant 52 Rep 190 Posts Drives: 335D E91 Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: West Yorkshire iTrader: (0)	Sorry to dig up an old thread, but I can see it's already been dug up before Anyone got the part number for the headlight level regulating rod, is it 37142283867 ? Thanks James
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-06-2022, 03:55 PM	#138
Richard Feynman New Member 3 Rep 6 Posts Drives: E90.325i.6MT, F22.M235i.6MT Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: San Diego iTrader: (0)	Thank you!
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03-09-2022, 10:58 PM	#139
StradaRedlands Brigadier General 6469 Rep 3,866 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 330i MT Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: SoCal iTrader: (3) Garage List 2006 BMW 330i [8.45] 2009 BMW 328i Touri ... [8.00] 2013 BMW X5 35i [7.80] 2011 BMW 528i [8.70] 2006 Mazda3 [5.50]	Well, I hoped to get it all done today, but that stupid wishbone threw my plans sideways. I'll take a little off it tomorrow, and hope I didn't gouge the subframe too much trying to force it in there. Front/torsion went in fine. I figured I'd be in and out in less than an hour. But still on the passenger side at this point. Dremel to the rescue tomorrow! Used hand tools and everything came off fine. One nut was really stiff and I had to really lean into it, the T40 bit holding the bolt never snapped! Last edited by StradaRedlands; 03-09-2022 at 11:28 PM..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-29-2022, 12:26 PM	#140
R3dLeader Second Lieutenant 163 Rep 228 Posts Drives: e92 and e93 335i Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: West Coast iTrader: (0)	Is there a rough estimate for setting the toe to an acceptable value after the M3 arm install? I read 3.5 turns of the tie rod to toe out after the install will get you close. I think this came from the 1 series forums. I plan to get a proper alignment later, but I think it should be possible to correct the toe approximately for now. At least so I can drive to the alignment rack lol. Worst case, I could break out the strings and try to measure toe. Worst worst case: my tie rods will be frozen EDIT/UPDATE: Control arm install went smoothly except for the fact that the left thrust arm FCP sent me appeared to be a counterfeit from Malaysia. The aluminium had a totally different luster to it indicating different manufacturing process, the nut did not have the nylon lock, and other differences. It was pretty rough. I had to order the left arm from Eeuroparts and it arrived as the genuine German TRW arm. I have pictures to compare the 2 if anyone is interested. The other 3 arms from FCP were genuine. Of course I contacted them and they are returning it and had discovered the problem on their own the day prior. They didn't inform their customers who purchased this kit.... Adjusted the left tie rod 3 turns as this should get the toe close. No issues with the tie rod. Tried to adjust the right tie rod and of course it was seized! The final step of my install. New tie rods arrived yesterday and will complete that over the next few days. Will get a shop to check the toe but I'm curious how close my 3 turns (plus tie rod replacement) will get me. Stay tuned. Last edited by R3dLeader; 04-08-2022 at 12:58 PM.. Reason: Update info
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11-29-2022, 03:24 PM	#141
jurek_purek New Member 0 Rep 27 Posts Drives: F30 325d Join Date: May 2021 Location: DE iTrader: (0)	hey do you have some part no. for this parts? thanks
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08-26-2023, 04:14 AM	#142
kolopn Private 38 Rep 80 Posts Drives: E92 325i N52B25 Join Date: May 2023 Location: Poland iTrader: (0)	Just for buying info - Tension struts (big one arms) are being made in Malaysia - Ball joints now are made of chocolate, and going to fail very quick (In my experience after mounting new ones, ball joints starting to knock after 2-3 months of daily use).
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-05-2024, 02:02 PM	#143
TexasBimmerGuy Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: 2009 328i Join Date: Jan 2024 Location: Round Rock, TX iTrader: (0)	OP, I know I'm late to the party, but I'm doing this upgrade tomorrow. I'm watching the FCPEuro video and they say you should replace the clip-on nut for the thrust arm bolt. They didn't include those in the M3 upgrade kit. Did you replace those nuts? I don't see any mention of that in your tutorial (which is awesome BTW!) Thank you.
	Appreciate 0 Quote