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Thread: E36 control arms, are E30 able to be used instead?

  1. #11
    Join Date
    May 2004
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    Japan
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    congrats and thanks for the feedback. I am not in a hurry, but it would be nice if you can post pics later and details how you did it+ details in your car, built year etc, as for the others not that much involved and us two it is quite confusing what fits where and which parts numbers you finally used.

    When I have to replace the ball joints on my 1998 M3, I will use the E30 version as mentioned above, that is what I found on the internet.

  2. #12
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    Dec 2012
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    Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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    Hey shogun, Jim again. I have another q for you. my trip meter and odometer have gone blank. i was told it was a common problem in bmw, it was on and off for a while, now it doesnt come on at all. The service lights still work. Do i have to replace the whole thing, or is there a way to fix it?

  3. #13
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    Do you see any numbers when you shine with a flashlight (in OZ you say torch) on it? If so, maybe just the bulbs are defective or have bad contact
    Pelican Technical Article: Replacing BMW Gauge Cluster Light Bulbs
    Z3 Odometer light fading - Bimmerfest - BMW Forums
    Remove and replace the tan-based bulbs with a screwdriver.
    BMW e36 3 series replace instrument panel light bulbs gauge cluster DIY - YouTube
    Insert the key into the ignition and turn it so you can rotate the steering wheel. Make sure that your battery is disconnected—if you turn on the ignition with the gauge cluster disconnected, the air bag computer will sense a fault and will trigger the air bag warning lamp which can only be reset by a special tool, which I have on offer in classified ads, but you can avoid that. You should be able to slide it by with the wheel turned. Hope it helps!
    http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/tech...es/Pic3-01.jpg
    Here is a photo of the rear of the E36 gauge cluster. Each one of the plastic tabs is the back side of an instrument bulb. The black ones indicate individual lamps (like the ABS warning lamp), whereas the green ones are used for backlighting the gauges. The tan ones are used to illuminate the LCD/odometer display. Be sure to make a note of which bulbs are burned out before you pull the gauge cluster. The yellow arrows point to the five screws that must be removed to access the inside of the gauge cluster (see Project 91). 1: Temperature warning. 2: Right turn signal. 3: Left turn signal. 4: Oil pressure warning. 5: High-beam indicator. 6: Battery-charging indicator. 7: Low-fuel-level warning. 8/9/10: Gauge cluster illumination. 11: AST warning. 12/13: LCD/odometer illumination. 14: Air bag warning. 15: Catalytic converter warning. 16: Parking brake indicator. 17: Brake fluid warning. 18: Brake pad wear warning. 19: ABS warning. 20: Seatbelt warning. 21: System check control. 22: Automatic transmission warning. 23: Not enabled. 24: Check-engine warning. 25: Convertible anti-roll warning. 26: Not enabled. 27: Rear fog lamp. 28: Front fog lamp.

  4. #14
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    Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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    Thanks Shogun, i will give it a go and let you know. As always, i apprecieate the help.

  5. #15
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    I found another good info and DIY write up here

    E36 M3 Front Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement
    E36 M3 Front Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement | BMW E36 DIY

    just for the case that the link disappears I copy the most important here:


    This article covers the DIY approach to pressing in new ball joints into an e36 front control arm.

    Many Enthusiasts aren’t aware you’re able to press in new ball joints to the e36 M3 Control arms. By pressing out your old ball joints, reusing the control arm, and pressing in new e30 ball joints, you can save yourself hundreds of dollars vs buying a whole new assembly.

    You’ll need the following parts:
    2x Lemforder Ball Joint #1
    Brand Lemfoerder
    Item Weight 12 ounces
    Product Dimensions 3.2 x 3.2 x 2.8 inches
    Item model number W0133-1627524-LEM
    Manufacturer Part Number W01331627524LEM
    Lemforder Ball Joint : Amazon.com : Automotive

    2x Lemforder Ball Joint #2
    Brand Lemfoerder
    Item Weight 15.2 ounces
    Product Dimensions 5.5 x 4 x 2.5 inches
    Item model number W0133-1626314-LEM
    Manufacturer Part Number W01331626314LEM
    Amazon.com: Lemforder Ball Joint: Automotive

    Torin T51201 Shop Press – 12 Ton
    Torin T51201 Shop Press - 12 Ton : Amazon.com : Automotive
    We recommend the ball joints shown above, as they are Heavy duty replacements with metal inserts. They’re also from the cheapest location we could find online.

    You’ll first need to remove the front control arm. You can find DIY e36 Control arm removal instructions here.
    E36 Front Lower Control Arm Replacment DIY | BMW E36 DIY
    There are two tools that are essential for this job:
    22mm Flex-Head Ratcheting Wrench
    (When removing the center ball joint nut, space is very limited, using a standard wrench you’re only able to turn the nut a quarter of a revolution at a time, and must flip the wrench each turn. A ratcheting wrench will save you considerable time and agony, trust me.)
    Pickle Forks (Necessary for removing the balljoint from the subframe and hub)
    A nice video showing the removal of the front lower control arm on an E36 chassis.

    Torque specs:
    - Ball joint to cross member 85 Nm / 62 ft-lb
    - Ball joint to steering arm 65 Nm / 48 ft-lb
    - Bushing carrier (lollipop) to body 47 Nm / 34 ft-lb
    - Sway bar drop link (M8) 42 Nm / 31 ft-lb
    - Wheel to hub 100 +-10 Nm / 74 +-7 ft-lb

    With the arm removed, mark the indentations on the control arm from the ball joints. It’s important the new ball joints are aligned in the same manner as the old. Use paint or a sharpie to mark the location of the ball joints before pressing them out.
    Press the old ball joint out in a similar fashion as show here.
    Here you can see the control arm with the old ball joints pressed out. Note how on some e36 models the ball joints used plastic braces which fail easily. The new Lemforder balljoints we are replacing them with are an all metal construction.
    Now simply press in the new ball joints in the same manner as you removed them, pay attention to the orientation marks you created earlier. Finally install the control arms in the reverse order they were removed, and marvel at your work. By simply pressing in new bushings, the total cost of the repair not including a press is only around $120. Cheaper than one complete control arm assembly.

  6. #16
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
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    Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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    Hey Shogun, i think i got an old message today. i havnt been on this site for a while, so thought it would be nice to catch up. i have finally worn out the suspension on the front of my car, i have new bilstiens to be put on, just havnt got around to it yet. my mate has just done his bmw, and although its an e30, he said it wouldnt be that much difference. i receiently had some trouble with the pcv valve. idleing rough and i had no idea why. my mate to the rescue again. he found the problem in a flash. the price of a new valve almost gave me a heart attack though, but these things happen. i am thinking of traiding up if i can afford it. i think my engine is getting a little tired and although i love my car, i think its now time for a newer modle. this one was my first bmw, and i will never forget it. its a great car. i hope whoever gets it will be able to afford to take better care of it than i was. Hopeing to find another bmw, perhaps something after 2000. see how i go.

  7. #17
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    I just found these for a 1998 E36 M3 from Detroit Axle: https://www.detroitaxle.com/shop/sus...vmk=BMW&vmd=M3
    1998 BMW M3 Lower Control Arm w/Ball Joint – Front, Passenger Side Part #K80532 $45.26
    1998 BMW M3 Lower Control Arm w/Ball Joint – Front, Driver Side Part #K80531 $42.75

    that seems "super cheap" + is backed by a 10-year warranty, anyone ever tried these from Detroit Axle? Do not need them now, was searching the net for the 1996-1999 lower control arms to check prices and google search showed them.

  8. #18
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    long thread with many pics and part numbers which clarifies all questions: E36 M3 Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement with E30 https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...ight=balljoint

    1996 + E36 M3
    the BMW part numbers for the E30 joints are:
    31121126254 for the outer joint
    31121126253 for the inner
    Last edited by shogun; 07-23-2022 at 07:54 AM.

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