Differences between E3/E9 and E12 struts?

dang

dang

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Does anyone happen to know what the difference is between E3/E9 front struts and E12 struts? I don't need to know numbers, just wondering what's different. Camber, caster, toe? I used E12 struts to modify for the air suspension I'm putting on my E3 and when I put the car on the ground for the first time after modifying the struts the toe seems to be off. I guess any camber and caster differences don't matter because I changed it to match the E3 struts anyway, but the toe has me baffled. I assumed the spindle is in line with the machined groove on the bottom of the strut that bolts to the steering arm. Do you think the E12 spindles are at a slight angle from the groove? I may have to add some photos to help explain it.
 
teahead said:
isn't toe adjustable?
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Yes, I'm not worried about it being different, I was just surprised that it was. With E12 steering arms being longer maybe they have the groove at a lightly different angle than the early shorter arms. Anyway, I think I got my answer.
 
HB Chris said:
I don’t think underside of strut is any different, but I do think camber may be different on the e12.
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I knew camber was different and @Mike Goble thinks it may be as much as 3deg different, but I'm convinced that the tow is also different. Most likely the steering arm (whatever it's called) has the slot for the strut at a slightly different angle in relation to the arm. I don't know what else it could be. I'll do a garage tow alignment tomorrow night and see how it goes.
 
IIRC the E12 struts will give you considerable positive camber, surely a bigger concern than the toe ? Also I am sure E12 steering are are shorter than E3/9 not longer...
 
roundel said:
IIRC the E12 struts will give you considerable positive camber, surely a bigger concern than the toe ? Also I am sure E12 steering are are shorter than E3/9 not longer...
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I modified the struts so the camber difference didn't matter, and you're probably right about the steering arms. I didn't change those and after a string line alignment last night is looking good.
 
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