E46 Arms on an E36 Compact Issues

[ferniefan]

Hi Guys,

I've seen elsewhere that with adjustable top mounts (to compensate for camber) E46 lower control arms can give an extra 25mm track width per side.

I've got the required E46 Powerflex 60mm lower control arm bushes (with 0.5 extra caster) and pressed them into the e36 lollipops.
The problem comes when I try to fit the control arm onto the car. With the front inner balljoint in the subframe the 'lollipop mount' doesn't line up with the mounting points. This suggests that the distance between the inner balljoint and the RCAB is too long. The arm is pressed fully home in the bush etc.
The potential pitfall I may have found is that I've used 'Starline' lower control arms from eurocarparts.

Does anyone have any experience doing this modification and/or does anyone know any differences with pattern/aftermarket control arms compared with OEM?

Any help appreciated (pulling my hair out a bit with this one)

Thanks

[gartrac]

Never done this conversion but it would appear that you have to grind/file the arm to allow the bush to go further on

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3K-0EpeghBU 4 minutes into the video

There is a rear bush conversion available but can't find a UK supplier

https://www.condorspeedshop.com/products/e30-e46-offset-control-arm-conversion-bushings?variant=1145719097

[ferniefan]

Thanks, hopefully thats all it is

[jerseypug]

i have e46 arms on my compact but did it by grinding down the aluminium to make round and kept going until it all fitted. I had to go full positive camber on the top mounts otherwise it would have been way too much negative camber if you see what i mean

[ferniefan]

Hi jerseypug.

Yes funnily enough I watched your videos a few times to see how you had done it.

Frustratingly i think the version of powerflex bushes (e46 with aluminium outer) I have simply won't work for this application. I see on your car you used the E36 bushes and grinding the arms to suit those.

May I ask (off topic) did you retain all the standard 318ti power steering pump, cooler, reservoir etc, or did you upgrade?

Thanks

[jerseypug]

i went z4 unassisted rack with a corsa assisted column and did away with the pump. i had lots of problems with the steering locking up usually during a handbrake and trying to straighten up. i tried all sorts to stop it from happening and the ps column did the trick