[fatjoez]

I have a 2007 e90 335i m-sport suspension
vibration when braking at highway speeds + rock back/forward at slow speed stop

mechanic diagnosed control arms / thrust arms.

Is this kit all I need to do full front control arm/tension strut replacement?
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...e-e90-e90kit-l

Are the bushings included in the control arm kit?

or do they need to be purchased separately (links below)

Bushings (are these 2 the same thing?)
1. https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...90-31120393540
2. https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...x1-31126763719

Bolts
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...-31106763928kt

Anything else needed? Ball joints?

reference: http://www.etkbmw.com/bmw/EN/search/...CE/31/31_0814/


edit: product description on ECS says bushing is pre-installed. FCP Euro Q&A says nuts included. Does this mean all I need is the kit?
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-lemforde...126769797~lem/

[Go Horns!]

If you are replacing front control arms, get the TRW M3 ones.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...rade-bmwmcakit

If you call FCP Euro, they will tell you what you need.

[mweisdorfer]

If you're over 100k, do your tie rods and swaybar links "while your in there". I agree with the above poster. Get the m3 control arm kit and the M3 control arm bolts. You wont be sorry or have buyer's remorse on that one.

[fatjoez]

Thanks.

I researched the M3 arms and Meyle HD which is supposed to be between Stock & M3.
Decided to keep OEM arms for comfort reasons.

I contacted FCP euro. They said bushings are pre-installed so don't buy separately, nut bolt kit is required though

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by fatjoez

Thanks.

I researched the M3 arms and Meyle HD which is supposed to be between Stock & M3.
Decided to keep OEM arms for comfort reasons.

I contacted FCP euro. They said bushings are pre-installed so don't buy separately, nut bolt kit is required though

I wouldn't touch Meyle HD. If you want OEM spec, go with Lemforder. I have the M3 arms. No comfort lost.

[fatjoez]

Originally Posted by mweisdorfer

I wouldn't touch Meyle HD. If you want OEM spec, go with Lemforder. I have the M3 arms. No comfort lost.

Thanks I ordered Lemforder lower control arm + torsion strut
+ Bolt kit

[SE7EN335]

Originally Posted by mweisdorfer

I wouldn't touch Meyle HD. If you want OEM spec, go with Lemforder. I have the M3 arms. No comfort lost.

Is there anything wrong with Meyle HD?

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by SE7EN335

Is there anything wrong with Meyle HD?

When I did my M3 control arms both front and rear, I did a lot of research before I went ahead and did the install myself. The guy who did the main diy on M3 control arms, in the front, had Meyle HD tie rods done. They only lasted 6 months, and then had to be replaced. He replaced them with Lemforder.

A buddy of mine owns an e46. He replaced the front sway bar links with HD's two years ago, and the boots were already ripped after 30k. He too just replaced them with Lemforder.

[mjn77]

I remember reading somewhere that if you use the M3 front control arms, you need to use the M3 bolts?

[fatjoez]

Originally Posted by mjn77

I remember reading somewhere that if you use the M3 front control arms, you need to use the M3 bolts for the shocks?

Don't think so.

I checked the part numbers inside the "M3 Bolt Kit" on FCP Euro.
Same bolt part numbers that come with the OEM control arm repair kit.

[mjn77]

Originally Posted by fatjoez

Don't think so.

I checked the part numbers inside the "M3 Bolt Kit" on FCP Euro.
Same bolt part numbers that come with the OEM control arm repair kit.

Ok, thanks. I'll check the part numbers.

[fatjoez]

Originally Posted by mjn77

Ok, thanks. I'll check the part numbers.

Go to the reference URL I posted above (also below)
http://www.etkbmw.com/bmw/EN/search/...CE/31/31_0814/

Then click on part #12 Locking Nut
31 10 6 767 496
You'll see it's the exact same part number as in the FCP Euro M3 bolt kit

Then click on part #11 Hex bolt with washer
31 10 6 763 928
You'll see it's the exact same part number as in the FCP Euro M3 Bolt kit

Same stuff just order the bolt kit

[mjn77]

Originally Posted by fatjoez

Go to the reference URL I posted above (also below)
http://www.etkbmw.com/bmw/EN/search/...CE/31/31_0814/

Then click on part #12 Locking Nut
31 10 6 767 496
You'll see it's the exact same part number as in the FCP Euro M3 bolt kit

Then click on part #11 Hex bolt with washer
31 10 6 763 928
You'll see it's the exact same part number as in the FCP Euro M3 Bolt kit

Same stuff just order the bolt kit

Thanks. I'll order a set on Saturday as they're also a use once bolt.

[rulonger]

The M3 control arm kit that I bought came with the single use nuts and the headlight rod.

[mjn77]

Originally Posted by rulonger

The M3 control arm kit that I bought came with the single use nuts and the headlight rod.

Yes, FCPEuro sell the kit.

[Donutz]

How do you guys know that bolts are one-time use only? Are they aluminum?

[fatjoez]

Originally Posted by Donutz

How do you guys know that bolts are one-time use only? Are they aluminum?

The way they screw in / tighten the bolt deforms itself to create a tight seal.
Once you remove them they are deformed & can't be reused to achieve the same seal.
There's posts all over the forum where people explain this.

They're cheap so don't think too much about it just buy them.
No point cutting corners here!

[=C=]

I couldn't undo the control arm bolts. I snapped one of my torx sockets trying to get them loose. Is there a method in removing the bolts?

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by =C=

I couldn't undo the control arm bolts. I snapped one of my torx sockets trying to get them loose. Is there a method in removing the bolts?

Kroil oil soak it for 24 hours

Use an air gun on it. You should get it to move about 3/8th of an inch before the nut will just spin.

Then use a sawszall or a hack saw with a metal blade.

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by mjn77

I remember reading somewhere that if you use the M3 front control arms, you need to use the M3 bolts for the shocks?

I think you mean M3 bolts and nuts for the control arms. M3 bolts and nuts don't exist for the struts and shocks.

[mjn77]

Originally Posted by mweisdorfer

I think you mean M3 bolts and nuts for the control arms. M3 bolts and nuts don't exist for the struts and shocks.

Yes!

But it looks like the bolts are the same for M and non-M.

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by mjn77

Yes!

But it looks like the bolts are the same for M and non-M.

I think they are close. When I did the m3 control arms front & back, the bolts looked exactly the same. The m3 bolts might be made of a stronger metal to compensate for the increases resistance of the stiffer bushings and natural negative camber of -.75 when you have these arms.