I have a 2001 M3 that needs a new control arm/bushing/ and ball joint. i have all the parts and a good idea of how to do it. I am just wondering if anyone has done this before and there is any "little tricks" to easing the prosses.

if you could i would like a discription of your prossess. Thanks!

I have a 2001 M3 that needs a new control arm/bushing/ and ball joint. i have all the parts and a good idea of how to do it. I am just wondering if anyone has done this before and there is any "little tricks" to easing the prosses.

if you could i would like a discription of your prossess. Thanks!

which parts are you replacing....since different terminology is often used.....take a look at this picture, so we can identify the one's you are working on.

http://members.roadfly.org/stmedina/TIS Pics/RearAxelAssembly.jpg

DOH!...Wrong picture!

http://members.roadfly.org/stmedina/Parts Pics/E46M3RearEnd.jpg

sorry i should have been more clear. it is the front, right (pass.) control arm....doh! If you have a diagram of that it would be perfect!

that picture is the only one in the TIS...it is for both sides...since they mirror eachother, you should be able to point out the parts that need changing...

look above, the one with the maroon type

man, I need a TIS ETK ;)

The pics you posted are of the rear suspension. Hes doing the front control arms. Any way, make sure to have a pickle fork to separate the ball joints from the subframe. Prob also help to have some penetrating oil on hand for nuts that are tough to break loose. On E36s, the nut near the motor mount is the hardest but its doable with some patience and strength. Good luck.

Jared -

How does your car with the euro engine do against E46 M3's? Are you pulling faster lap times??

well, i have a full shop and just about any tool i can think of. I am just looking for some advice from someone who has done this one. i know all the little "tricks" for the porsches, just not the BMWs....

If someone could PM or e-mail (fast98m3@hotmail.com) the corrrect procedure that would be great!
Thanks

sorry i should have been more clear. it is the front, right (pass.) control arm....doh! If you have a diagram of that it would be perfect!

OH Shoot, My bad.....Front Arms...sorry.

even easier, more room to work....

one thing you will need, so get the parts now....is 12 new bolts for your bottom support plate....they are to be torqued at 59nm, plus a 90' turn...

the "lollipops" are quite easy to work on...simply need to press out the old bushings press in the new....or you could replace with GC front control arm bushings...just an idea....

The other bushings, there isn't much to them, simply press/cut them out, replace.....

A ball end separator would be nice, careful to not mess the rubber seal...

BMPdesign sells one that works perfect...no messing to the steering rod ball ends...

taking the arm off, and having it in front of you will make the job easier....

this isn't difficult work.....

although i've reused the bolts on support plate and lollipops before, why take that chance when they are so cheap...i'll post the TIS of the front tonight...sorry my bad.

http://members.roadfly.org/stmedina/GC Stuff/GC Front Bushing Maintenance.jpg

sorry i should have been more clear. it is the front, right (pass.) control arm....doh! If you have a diagram of that it would be perfect!

OH Shoot, My bad.....Front Arms...sorry.

even easier, more room to work....

one thing you will need, so get the parts now....is 12 new bolts for your bottom support plate....they are to be torqued at 59nm, plus a 90' turn...

the "lollipops" are quite easy to work on...simply need to press out the old bushings press in the new....or you could replace with GC front control arm bushings...just an idea....

The other bushings, there isn't much to them, simply press/cut them out, replace.....

A ball end separator would be nice, careful to not mess the rubber seal...

BMPdesign sells one that works perfect...no messing to the steering rod ball ends...

taking the arm off, and having it in front of you will make the job easier....

this isn't difficult work.....

although i've reused the bolts on support plate and lollipops before, why take that chance when they are so cheap...i'll post the TIS of the front tonight...sorry my bad.

http://members.roadfly.org/stmedina/GC Stuff/GC Front Bushing Maintenance.jpg

Underside shot as well, so ya know what it all looks like..

http://members.roadfly.org/stmedina/underside.jpg

Jared -

How does your car with the euro engine do against E46 M3's? Are you pulling faster lap times??

From most of the track events, I have been running faster lap times. Its up to the driver basically. At the Glen a couple of weeks ago, I'd have them in the turns but on the back straight I'd let them pass since I was tacking out 5th w/ the 3.73 and they had the 6th gear to go to. The process would repeat a couple of laps unless I got a good shot out of the esses and held the front position.

6th gear to go to. The process would repeat a couple of laps unless I got a good shot out of the esses and held the front position.

what rear end were the e46m3's running.....stock e46m3 5th gear tacks out at 160 plus....

thanks for the help!

what rear end were the e46m3's running.....stock e46m3 5th gear tacks out at 160 plus....

Just running stock rearends. Im not saying they tacked out 5th, Im stating I had to hold the RPMs constant when they could keep accelerating and pass me. Sorry for the confusion.

Sorry for the confusion.

My Bad....Beautiful car.