FuturisticConcept Art BMW E36 with a V8 on a bottom dollar budget
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Bummer, I am sure you found that the issue is the V down the length of the bolt holds the deluxe car rusting solution spread on the roads by the DOT and seizes solidly to the inner bushing sleeve. You can replace the lower bushings with the same ball joint that is called for at the upper outer control arm spot. M cars have ball joints in both locations from the factory. Antiseize is your friend. I have some stock lower control arms free if you want them but I doubt you do. Adjustable ones are great but again antiseize is your friend. With the adjustable ones you just use a regular bolt not an eccentric because you don't need that tiny adjustment any more when you have a turnbuckle style to adjust length.
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Bummer, I am sure you found that the issue is the V down the length of the bolt holds the deluxe car rusting solution spread on the roads by the DOT and seizes solidly to the inner bushing sleeve. You can replace the lower bushings with the same ball joint that is called for at the upper outer control arm spot. M cars have ball joints in both locations from the factory. Antiseize is your friend. I have some stock lower control arms free if you want them but I doubt you do. Adjustable ones are great but again antiseize is your friend. With the adjustable ones you just use a regular bolt not an eccentric because you don't need that tiny adjustment any more when you have a turnbuckle style to adjust length.
Good point. I wasnt thinking about that. I can just slam some normal hardware in there and get adjustable arms. Sweet deal.
And yeah, the nice midwest slurry of salt and corrosion has taken its tool. It seems like all of the front suspension is new but the rear is untouched for the most part.
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Now that I think about it some aftermarket arms come with bolts for the outer end included. At least my UUC ones for my good e36 did. The ones on my beater look like "el-cheapo" ebay ones and the stock bolts are still in there. The cheap ones work just fine but the coating isn't great and they rust and lock up without antiseize. Have I mentioned I use antiseize on everything?
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Now that I think about it some aftermarket arms come with bolts for the outer end included. At least my UUC ones for my good e36 did. The ones on my beater look like "el-cheapo" ebay ones and the stock bolts are still in there. The cheap ones work just fine but the coating isn't great and they rust and lock up without antiseize. Have I mentioned I use antiseize on everything?
Like a cheap anal lube, yes you have. eBay is sponsoring this "build" so I guess I will also need to order another 5 gallon drum of Anti-seize. I can probably just mount it on the roof rack.
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If anyone is parting an E36, I would like to steal some hardware from your suspension.

You're welcome to whatever you need off my turd. Ill likely be flipping it on its side within the next week for easy access to the underside.
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I dig the translucent red wheels!
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I dig the translucent red wheels!
Too late. The mass majority voted black with read tire letters
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Too late. The mass majority voted black with red tire letters

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Dont get me wrong, I like all of the ideas I proposed, otherwise I wouldn't have asked.
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I finally did something...ehh bought something.
I purchased some adjustable rear control arms as the ones in the car are factory, and I wrecked the old bushings as you saw earlier in this thread.
These were $50 on eBay, and to my surprise, the quality is way better than I expected. I assume they were cheap because no one wants purple control arms.
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Install mirrors near the underbody so you can see the purple.
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Install mirrors near the underbody so you can see the purple.
Thats silly.
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Thats silly.
So, what your saying is, to go with the current state of the car it would be perfect.
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Time to step up your game
Holy shit, challenge accepted.
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he sure 1-upped the lumber jetta
For reference:

For future reference:

(Looks like I need stiffer rates in the rear)
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