Are Alu and Steel LCAs interchangable?

[Ferret]

Just having a nosey at the parts shops for some lower control arms as I noticed my balljoints are totally shot at... and there's steel and aluminium lower control arms.

There's a massive price difference of nearly double for the alu control arms so I was wondering if they're interchangable? Lemfoerder parts would be real nice but I really dont want to have to shell out $140/arm.

[632 Regal]

no need to pay for aluminum, steels are fine and do interchange. I didnt notice any difference at all.

Just having a nosey at the parts shops for some lower control arms as I noticed my balljoints are totally shot at... and there's steel and aluminium lower control arms.

There's a massive price difference of nearly double for the alu control arms so I was wondering if they're interchangable? Lemfoerder parts would be real nice but I really dont want to have to shell out $140/arm.

[rob101]

Yes they are interchangeable I believe the aluminium arms are M5 arms.

[Ferret]

no need to pay for aluminum, steels are fine and do interchange. I didnt notice any difference at all.

cool, for the replies guys, the balljoints are moving enough in the current alu arms that if you give the wheel a firm smack, it moves a good inch :O only noticed it while I was doing the brakes...

Might as well do the bearings while I'm under there as they've started to howl.

Damn this cars turned into a liability lol.

Is there space to get a ball joint separator in there? (Which I've already got handy) or will it need something more substantial like a pickle-fork?

[rob101]

cool, for the replies guys, the balljoints are moving enough in the current alu arms that if you give the wheel a firm smack, it moves a good inch :O only noticed it while I was doing the brakes...

Might as well do the bearings while I'm under there as they've started to howl.

Damn this cars turned into a liability lol.

Is there space to get a ball joint separator in there? (Which I've already got handy) or will it need something more substantial like a pickle-fork?

if you're using new arms you can just use a pickle fork and don't have to be careful and use a seperator. but I think you can use either.

[Barney Paull-Edwards]

be careful to get the right bearings if you go to G&S,early and late are different due to a difference in the stub axle,the wrong ones will go again fast and G&S do not know the difference.Check the flanges on yours(assuming they were original) are the same as supplied.There is a thread somewhere showing this.Keep at it and good luck,no better car when its right!

[632 Regal]

You might want to upgrade the bushing to the M/5 bushing. I did and wont look back.

cool, for the replies guys, the balljoints are moving enough in the current alu arms that if you give the wheel a firm smack, it moves a good inch :O only noticed it while I was doing the brakes...

Might as well do the bearings while I'm under there as they've started to howl.

Damn this cars turned into a liability lol.

Is there space to get a ball joint separator in there? (Which I've already got handy) or will it need something more substantial like a pickle-fork?

[Bellicose Right Winger]

My 10/92 build 525i has/had the aluminum arms. I've replaced (1) w/steel due to a bad ball joint.

Paul Shovestul

Yes they are interchangeable I believe the aluminium arms are M5 arms.

[rob101]

My 10/92 build 525i has/had the aluminum arms. I've replaced (1) w/steel due to a bad ball joint.

Paul Shovestul

interesting....

[yaofeng]

My 95 used to alumunum too. I replaced with steel.