M3 front lower control arm not fitting into chassis

dubluv17 · 05-24-2020, 02:59 PM

Has anybody not been able to get the front lower control arm into place on the chassis side of the arm? I noticed that it's ever so slightly wider than the stock one that I pulled out. I just can't get it all the way in to line up with the holes. I've even tried tapping it with a hammer. It was pretty tough to get the stock one out compared to the upper. Just curious if anyone else has had this problem and how they resolved it. Thanks.

FWIW, this is the part I'm referring to.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...m3-31102283578

HP Autosport · 05-24-2020, 04:54 PM

the subframe is alum., go ahead and spread the opening a little and that is all you need to get these to go in.

dubluv17 · 05-24-2020, 07:44 PM

I definitely thought about that, but couldn't think of a way to go about it. Have you done that before? Thanks for your input.

dubluv17 · 05-24-2020, 07:47 PM

I also thought about freezing the arm and then installing it.

desertman123 · 05-25-2020, 01:26 AM

Use a combo of nuts/bolt/washers to spread where it goes in slightly

juld0zer · 05-25-2020, 04:42 AM

I shaved the balljoint a tiny bit until it just slipped in. The gap is actually big enough but over time, the subframe has been compressed in that region

dubluv17 · 05-25-2020, 08:04 AM

Thanks, I'll give those things a shot. I appreciate the help.

dubluv17 · 05-25-2020, 12:47 PM

Spreading the mount with a bolt and two nuts worked beautifully! Thanks again!

Thunderguts · 05-28-2020, 11:59 AM

Yep, I used a brake piston compressor to spread the mount enough that the arm would fit. Once it was in, it just take a few whacks with a mallet to get it into place.

GetShifty · 11-08-2020, 02:26 PM

Yea, these aren’t direct fit like we’re led to believe but there pretty close. Getting alignment dialed in is the next hump to over come. Max I could go was -1.1 to -1.2 with 0 toe.

05-24-2020, 02:59 PM	#1
dubluv17 Private First Class 11 Rep 172 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Millcreek, UT iTrader: (0)	M3 front lower control arm not fitting into chassis Has anybody not been able to get the front lower control arm into place on the chassis side of the arm? I noticed that it's ever so slightly wider than the stock one that I pulled out. I just can't get it all the way in to line up with the holes. I've even tried tapping it with a hammer. It was pretty tough to get the stock one out compared to the upper. Just curious if anyone else has had this problem and how they resolved it. Thanks. FWIW, this is the part I'm referring to. https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...m3-31102283578
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

05-24-2020, 04:54 PM	#2
HP Autosport Supreme Allied Commander 3812 Rep 54,307 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Santa Barbara, AP, Brembo, GIAC, Koni, Ohlins, Performance Friction, www.hpautosport.com iTrader: (36)	the subframe is alum., go ahead and spread the opening a little and that is all you need to get these to go in.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-24-2020, 07:44 PM	#3
dubluv17 Private First Class 11 Rep 172 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Millcreek, UT iTrader: (0)	I definitely thought about that, but couldn't think of a way to go about it. Have you done that before? Thanks for your input.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-24-2020, 07:47 PM	#4
dubluv17 Private First Class 11 Rep 172 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Millcreek, UT iTrader: (0)	I also thought about freezing the arm and then installing it.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-25-2020, 01:26 AM	#5
desertman123 E82 Mudflap Ambassador 2214 Rep 2,219 Posts Drives: '08 128i Join Date: May 2016 Location: Orlando, FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 1992 Honda Beat [9.50] 2008 BMW 128i [10.00] 2014 BMW 528i [10.00]	Use a combo of nuts/bolt/washers to spread where it goes in slightly __________________ My 2008 128i - Sparkling Graphite/Beige - Sport pkg - 6MT - Click me! Parents' 2014 528i - Mineral White/Ivory White - fully loaded Instagram @Andreys_128i and @Honda.Bito
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-25-2020, 04:42 AM	#6
juld0zer Lieutenant Colonel 480 Rep 1,600 Posts Drives: Prev 135i 7DCT, Now 130i 6sp Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: 2153 iTrader: (0)	I shaved the balljoint a tiny bit until it just slipped in. The gap is actually big enough but over time, the subframe has been compressed in that region
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-25-2020, 08:04 AM	#7
dubluv17 Private First Class 11 Rep 172 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Millcreek, UT iTrader: (0)	Thanks, I'll give those things a shot. I appreciate the help.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-25-2020, 12:47 PM	#8
dubluv17 Private First Class 11 Rep 172 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Millcreek, UT iTrader: (0)	Spreading the mount with a bolt and two nuts worked beautifully! Thanks again!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-28-2020, 11:59 AM	#9
Thunderguts Captain 776 Rep 992 Posts Drives: 2009 128i Sport MT Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: DFW iTrader: (0)	Yep, I used a brake piston compressor to spread the mount enough that the arm would fit. Once it was in, it just take a few whacks with a mallet to get it into place. __________________ Official BMWP Whore - BMWP suspension kit w/ M3 arms, BMWP big brake kit, BMWP intake w/Mishimoto tube, BMWP exhaust, BMWP carbon strut brace, BMWP short shifter, and BMWP carbon spoiler. OZ Leggera HLT w/ 245 square setup.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-08-2020, 02:26 PM	#10
GetShifty New Member 2 Rep 7 Posts Drives: Bmw 135i Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	Yea, these aren’t direct fit like we’re led to believe but there pretty close. Getting alignment dialed in is the next hump to over come. Max I could go was -1.1 to -1.2 with 0 toe.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search