E36 front bottom arm twisting

[keithr]

Used my E36 M3 on the recent gravel Argyll Stages and o/s front bottom arm twisted along section from inner joint to hub pushing the wheel back in the arch. Had Meyle HD units fitted but must have taken a good knock and suppose weight of engine won't help. Positive is it didn't break just twisted.

Is there a stronger bottom arm available that does not have the cut outs along its length? Trying to avoid the cost of bespoke bottom arms.

[kmsrallying]

Hi Keith R

I'm sure Garry Muir will be along in a second with the details of the arms the guys in Finland are making (rally Corsa Shop or something). I did the full SRC in 2016 with a compact and only had to replace one arm for the Galloway hills as the outer ball joint was showing some play.

I was told to use Lemforder parts by the original builder of my old car and had no issues.
I believe Lemforder is what BMW actually fit themselves.
My new car is going together using Lemforder parts.

I would accept I was probably not travelling as quickly as you but we had a few bumps and jumps along he way.
I'd certainly recommend Lemforder as was recommended to me.

Regards

The other Keith (S)

[keithr]

Keith, I know about the bespoke arms that Marko makes for the E36 but plan was to try and use as many std parts as possible to keep costs down. I'll have a look at the Lemforder units. What model are you building?

[kmsrallying]

Another compact, using the alloy block 2.8 (cheap as chips)
I bought a caged shell through Garry from one of his mates up there.
Bit to do but i'm getting there...wish i'd just bought a complete car again

I made a series of bad decisions since 2016 (first one was selling the BM) but i'm back on track again....
I'll get it finished and logbooked this year do a few John Parker Forest test days if I can, then back out next year, possibly a limited programme pick a few events, then year after full SRC again

[Overthelimit]

We just use cheap bottom arms from ebay and treat them as a consumable.
They need a pretty good bash to bend them and as you say, they don't break, just bend a little, so at least you can keep going.
If you fit strengthened ones, is there a risk of the next weakest link breaking if you hit anything?
Bottom arms are easy and quick to change

[Garry.M]

I'm sure Chris Ransley said to only use Lemforder arms as well