Re: E34 Steel/Al Control Arms

[kohlbren-m-d@xxxxxxx]

ThreedB <ThreedB@domain.elided> wrote:

> Can I use steel control arms in my 95 540ia?
> 
> The car has aluminum arms now with 90kmi and dead bushings.  The Bentley
> manual said you can replace the bushings in the steel arms but the aluminum
> arms need to be replaced.  Is this a geometry issue or merely a materials
> issue?

I think that the geometry is the same.  I recall a discussion
on the E28-based M535i.org list where folks were using the E34
aluminum arms as direct replacements for the steel arms that
used to be installed in the E28.  Their reasoning was to reduce
unsprung weight.  While this would be true, I think folks would
be hard pressed to notice the difference.

> I want to know if I can buy new steel control arms (@$45 ea.)
> instead of aluminum (@$145 ea.).

You would be well served to poke around the best E34 resource
on the net:

http://www.bmwe34.net/

and specifically:

http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/maintenance/suspension/lower_arm.htm

Also, the following forum is of very high quality, with
plenty of folks with significant model specific knowledge:

http://www.bimmernut.com/wwwboard/e34/

Finally, check with the following supplier for your parts
needs.  They give a discount if you mention the bmwe34.net
site and that is after offering what are reputedly the
lowest prices around:

http://www.bmaautoparts.com/

Good luck,
Mike Kohlbrenner

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