M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS

GENERAL => Off-topic discussion => Topic started by: manuel on December 18, 2009, 10:52:55 AM

Title: doubt about M3 offset control arm bushings for E30
Post by: manuel on December 18, 2009, 10:52:55 AM

Hi, I need to change my front control arm bushings, can I use the M3 offset bushings without replacing the control arm?, will they fit?
Anyone know the part number?
Thanks

Title: doubt about M3 offset control arm bushings for E30
Post by: DesktopDave on December 18, 2009, 12:22:02 PM

They do fit, I'm considering swapping mine out because they're shot.  Can't recall the PN.  It'll need an alignment afterwards.  I'm going to do it all at once, new arms, new CABs, new strust & springs.  Then I only need a single alignment.

Title: doubt about M3 offset control arm bushings for E30
Post by: Chalino on December 28, 2009, 12:19:46 PM

What does the "offset" do??

Title: doubt about M3 offset control arm bushings for E30
Post by: DesktopDave on December 28, 2009, 02:30:39 PM

The rear bushing on the stock e30 has a centered hole for the front control arm.  The M3 bushing is offset, the hole is moved toward the center of the car about 1/2" to change the suspension geometry.  The rubber is designed for greater durability too.  It makes turn-in sharper and increases caster IIRC, to sharpen the handling.  I'd figure it's best for track cars, but plenty of people on here upgrade to them, especially if they're adding an e36 steering rack.

They're required for a 5-lug conversion too, along with mid-90s M3 control arms.

Title: doubt about M3 offset control arm bushings for E30
Post by: Chalino on December 28, 2009, 02:52:15 PM

Quote from: DesktopDave;83743

The rear bushing on the stock e30 has a centered hole for the front control arm.  The M3 bushing is offset, the hole is moved toward the center of the car about 1/2" to change the suspension geometry.  The rubber is designed for greater durability too.  It makes turn-in sharper and increases caster IIRC, to sharpen the handling.  I'd figure it's best for track cars, but plenty of people on here upgrade to them, especially if they're adding an e36 steering rack.

They're required for a 5-lug conversion too, along with mid-90s M3 control arms.

I see...thanks Dave! I'm in the process of replacing pretty much every busing/mount on my 318is and was unsure as to what exactly was the hoopla about regarding these CABs. Worth the extra $30??

Title: doubt about M3 offset control arm bushings for E30
Post by: superj on January 14, 2010, 07:18:11 PM

i had htem on my 89 325i and it felt alot more solid on the highway then my wife's 87 325IS did with regular cabs.  i have a set for the 318 that i will put on sometime here soon.

i press them in and out of the lolipop and then press them back onto the car without removign the control arms.  steering wheel puller works great for pulling and bottle jack works great for reinstall :)