Control Arms

HB Chris

HB Chris

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The control arm mystery has been solved, at least for me. We have discussed the 74 as having a longer control arm as it is listed in RealOEM, the short one is 381mm and the long one is 402mm.

The coupe has always had the 381 control arm. Only the e3 beginning in 74 got the 402 control arm with the longer tension strut as well.

Short 31 12 1 101 387/388
Long 31 12 1 112 011/012
 
Last edited:
HB Chris said:
The control arm mystery has been solved, at least for me. We have discussed the 74 as having a longer control arm as it is listed in RealOEM, the short one is 381mm and the long one is 402mm.

The coupe has always had the 381 control arm. Only the e3 beginning in 74 got the 402 control arm with the longer tension strut as well.

Short 32 12 1 101 387/388
Long 32 12 1 112 011/012
Click to expand...

Chris,

Part #'s are slightly off, its:
Short 31 12 1 101 387/388
Long 3112 1 112 011/012

BMW is Making the long arms. I just bought a set for my 74 e3 from faulknerbmwpartssourse.com for 199.98 each. That was the best price I could find. I spoke with Carl Nelson first just to confirm. He said I really had no other choice. He recommended I order from BMW.
There are other manufacturers making the shorter arms but not the longer ones. Carl said that Lemforder makes the longer ones for BMW so they're good quality. Better be for $200 each.

John
 
JMinNJ said:
Chris,

Part #'s are slightly off, its:
Short 31 12 1 101 387/388
Long 3112 1 112 011/012

BMW is Making the long arms. I just bought a set for my 74 e3 from faulknerbmwpartssourse.com for 199.98 each. That was the best price I could find. I spoke with Carl Nelson first just to confirm. He said I really had no other choice. He recommended I order from BMW.
There are other manufacturers making the shorter arms but not the longer ones. Carl said that Lemforder makes the longer ones for BMW so they're good quality. Better be for $200 each.

John
Click to expand...

Thanks John, fixed
 
E12 control arms are also 381mm. The inner bushing inner diameter is too small, however, so you have to replace it with the correct E3/E9 one.
 
TedS said:
E12 control arms are also 381mm. The inner bushing inner diameter is too small, however, so you have to replace it with the correct E3/E9 one.
Click to expand...
Yes, this is what Ben at LaJolla told me years ago and what I did with my 72 Bavaria. Worked well but you need a press. I do believe the bushings themselves are still available.
 
bavbob said:
Yes, this is what Ben at LaJolla told me years ago and what I did with my 72 Bavaria. Worked well but you need a press. I do believe the bushings themselves are still available.
Click to expand...
Right. It seemed like a good idea to put the information in this thread since supplies of the different brands tend to ebb and flow. The bushings are indeed readily available.
 
A few guys are offering E24-E28 control arms with spherical bushings pressed in. I don't see why it can't be done here with some research as to the bushing that would fit. Nothing but rave reviews on handling I can find the email for one fellow in Germany , known as a straight guy, to deal with, who is offering them if anyone is interested
 
I don't see why it can't be done on an an E9 if there is enough "meat" on the arm to machine it to take the bearing. The bearing might fit as is?? [email protected] Fellows name is Wolfe Gossage. He is actually a wheel guru but kind of pioneered this. I guess an email won't hurt
 
Bert Poliakoff said:
I don't see why it can't be done on an an E9 if there is enough "meat" on the arm to machine it to take the bearing. The bearing might fit as is?? [email protected] Fellows name is Wolfe Gossage. He is actually a wheel guru but kind of pioneered this. I guess an email won't hurt
Click to expand...
If I remember correctly (a very big if), the bushing used in the E28 control arm was from a 7 series which was milled down to fit.
 
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