control arm bushings

[socalguy]

i recently had my check up on my 328is
and i need 2 things,

1. control arm bushings for the rear
2. right inner tie rod.

I read somewhere that you can get after market control arm bushings
that last longer... is this true? if so which company should i get them from?

and the same for the inner tie rod, are there aftermarket ones? that will last longer?

[El Presidente]

urethane bushings will last longer by far. Brand doesn't really matter, just the matrial. Check with our sponsor, he should carry some.

[Autotechnica]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but there is no control arm in the rear, only a rear trailing arm. Also, there are no aftermarket Urethane rear trailing arm bushings. The only part you can upgrade to is the M3 one which is slightly stronger. $40CDN each side.

I recommend using the TMS/GC rear trailing arm enforcer/reinforcements to keep alinment straight and eliminate play.

The rear trailing arm in E36's is a weak point in it's suspension.

Bry

[socalguy]

ok thanks i will llok into it i have to get them asap!

what is gc?

and what about the right inner tie rod, cant do anything?

oh and bry i found rear control arm bushings at turner motor sport

thanks for the info.

[Autotechnica]

Originally posted by socalguy@Mar 25 2004, 04:46 AM
ok thanks i will llok into it i have to get them asap!

what is gc?

and what about the right inner tie rod, cant do anything?

oh and bry i found rear control arm bushings at turner motor sport

thanks for the info.

Yeah sorry I'm on crack. There are rear control arm bushings, I don't know why I said that there weren't any.

There are aftermarket tie rods, but they aren't improvements over the stock ones. I find the stock tie rods last quite a long time, so I would just use the original ones. I'm not sure if steering too much actually wears out tie rods sooner (when you turn the wheel to full lock and you hear that whining noise). However, there is a kit you can buy from Turner MS called the "steering rack stop kit", it just prevents you from turning too much.

You can get M3 control arm bushings which are also rubber. However they pack more rubber inside the bushing so it's stiffer. Aftermarket companies also make Urethane bushings which last a really long time, I would recommend either of them.

GC = Ground Control. Even if your rear trailing arm bushings aren't worn, I would look into these parts anyways. The rear trailing arm bushings are a very common failure in all E36's. People don't even know they're worn till they have severe symptoms. If you have a worn rear trailing arm bushing, your alinment will be off. A worn bushing allows for too much play, and if you hear a "clunk" (metal to metal contact) in the rear, most likely the bushing is worn out.

Bryan

[bimmerfan620]

I have the rear trailing arms by BMP design and they work magnificant. Heavy duty construction and well worth the $400 for the pair...

[socalguy]

ok yea i think i am going to go with the rear control arm bushings from turner motor sports. and same with the tie rod. thanks for the help.

[Autotechnica]

I remember why I said that the rear doesn't have control arm bushings. Because in all the 10 years I've owned E36's, I have never once replaced my rear control arm bushings. I even race and Auto-x the car occasionally. This part on the car rarely wears out. Are you sure it's the rear control arm and not the trailing arm? I've got 230,000km's and the rear control arm is still in tip top shape.

Bry

[socalguy]

i hope i am right it the right part. my mechanic
showed me what it looked like and explained how he has to
take it out. he also told me the prices I would think that it
was the rear trailing arm- except that costs about $350+
and he said it would be about 40$.

so i am going to order them off TMS.

Thanks for the help Bry, your very helpful.

[Autotechnica]

Originally posted by socalguy@Mar 26 2004, 02:14 PM
i hope i am right it the right part. my mechanic
showed me what it looked like and explained how he has to
take it out. he also told me the prices I would think that it
was the rear trailing arm- except that costs about $350+
and he said it would be about 40$.

so i am going to order them off TMS.

Thanks for the help Bry, your very helpful.

Thanks, at least somebody thinks I'm helpful

Anyways, you don't have to replace the entire trailing arm if the bushings are worn out. You just have to replace the bushings which are approx. $30-$40 each. If you can find a skilled mechanic to remove them it shouldn't affect your alinment in the rear, if not, you'll have to do a rear alinment after the install.

I'll post some pictures of the trailing arm and control arm's in the rear just to make sure it's what you're looking for.

Bry

[Autotechnica]

Rear control arms.. looks like a fork.

[Autotechnica]

Rear tailing arm.. this isn't the best picture. However, the trailing arm is in the shape of an "L"

The arm goes right up into the chassis.

Bry