FuturisticConcept Art BMW E36 with a V8 on a bottom dollar budget

[Jdesign]

Holiday Update!

I attempted to work on this and managed to break more stuff. 

Rear end felt really wonky and loose as I mentioned earlier so I had a chance to put it on the lift and take a closer look. Turns out that most of the bushings are in "fair" condition but could be replaced with nice stiff Delrin. But despite that, this was not my issue.

That's when I then noticed that the cam/eccentric blots for the lower control arms were wayyyyy off of each other. GOD DUMMIT (P.O."JIM-BOB")  those eccentric bolts are not the kind you just tighten down with your baby gorilla strength. Ughhh. So I pulled out my tools to try and adjust them to an even amount from left to right in hopes that I would gain some symmetry in the rear camber adjustment. That's when I realized that it wasn't going to be an easy task. I got one side free and adjusted it close to the zero mark and cinched it back down. Then moved to the other side, and that's where I ran into problems. First it was an impact, nothing. Then a breaker bar, nothing. Then I used some penetration oil, nothing. So I got a bigger breaker bar, and this is where I personally made a mistake. I should have used the torch first and broke the sucker free, but NOPE. Went in like popeye and snapped the head of the eccentric bolt fucking clean off. NOICE.

So following this, I then ensued with a good 6 pack, lots of swearing, and a good 3 hours of my life. I managed to get the bushing out, all the hardware, and proceeded to urinate all of my holiday spirit onto said bushing and eccentric bolt.

Needless to say I will be ordering

• Eccentric bolts
• Brakes lines(I lost one when the bushing was engulfed in flames) 
• Adjustable control arms
• Control arm bushings

If anyone is parting an E36, I would like to steal some hardware from your suspension.

[jc43089]

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.

[Jdesign]

jc43089 said:

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.

[jc43089]

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?

[Jdesign]

jc43089 said:

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.

[stealthbimmer]

Jdesign said:

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.

[GunMetalGrey]

I dig the translucent red wheels!

[Jdesign]

GunMetalGrey said:

I dig the translucent red wheels!

Too late. The mass majority voted black with read tire letters

[GunMetalGrey]

Jdesign said:

Too late. The mass majority voted black with red tire letters

[Jdesign]

GunMetalGrey said:

Dont get me wrong, I like all of the ideas I proposed, otherwise I wouldn't have asked.

[Jdesign]

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.

[GunMetalGrey]

Install mirrors near the underbody so you can see the purple.

[Jdesign]

GunMetalGrey said:

Install mirrors near the underbody so you can see the purple. 

Thats silly.

[stealthbimmer]

Jdesign said:

Thats silly.

So, what your saying is, to go with the current state of the car it would be perfect.

[stealthbimmer]

Time to step up your game 

[Daggerty]

Those toe arms are solid for the price. I bought a set 4 years ago the bushings are starting to crack but $50 for a set, sore Dick deal.

[Jdesign]

stealthbimmer said:

Time to step up your game 

Holy shit, challenge accepted.

[B C]

he sure 1-upped the lumber jetta

[Jdesign]

Snap said:

he sure 1-upped the lumber jetta

For reference:

For future reference:

(Looks like I need stiffer rates in the rear)

[Earl]

Is that second one in Africa? The only place I can think that would have a MK2 taxi lol