The Random E46/ZHP Question Thread

I feel like I've seen this asked somewhere else before but can't recall what the answer was.

Are front control arms considered a wear and tear part?

I need to invest in new front shocks so I'm looking into what else needs to be done. I don't think my PO replaced the FCAB so i was going to add them to the list but didn't know where ZHP gurus stood on the control arms themselves.

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Originally Posted by joeybananaz18

I feel like I've seen this asked somewhere else before but can't recall what the answer was.

Are front control arms considered a wear and tear part?

I need to invest in new front shocks so I'm looking into what else needs to be done. I don't think my PO replaced the FCAB so i was going to add them to the list but didn't know where ZHP gurus stood on the control arms themselves.

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They do go bad. I think it was BP who said he had to replace his control arms cause the ball joint came undone (It could’ve been someone else). On the other hand Rob (sockethead) said his looked fine when he replaced them at 150k ish miles...


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thanks for that. always wondered if i should just got a refresh kit from ecs or fcp or get everything piece by piece.

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Originally Posted by joeybananaz18

thanks for that. always wondered if i should just got a refresh kit from ecs or fcp or get everything piece by piece.

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Refresh kit is the way to go. Lemförder is the OEM for factory replacements.

Here's a basic kit:
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...zhp4piecekit-l

Here's the baller kit:
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-8-piece-control-arm-kit-e46-zhp8piecekit-l


I highly advise staying away from Meyle control arms and bushings. I've replaced my control arms AND FCABs with Meyle and every single one of those had to be replaced within 30k miles (the next year).

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Originally Posted by ZHPizza

@Yankeefan there is definitely a locator pin on the FSD's that is supposed to seat down into the carrier. Not getting that down in there would explain both your increased ride height and the sway bar connection being off. I'll snag a pic of mine in the morning.

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Didn't get a shot of the pin but it slides down in between the two halves of the lower mount there where the bolt goes throughhttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...51b1c3ad4a.jpg

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Originally Posted by ZHPizza

Didn't get a shot of the pin but it slides down in between the two halves of the lower mount there where the bolt goes through

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Good call; I missed that. I'll fix that problem. I also ordered 2 new Lemforder sway bar links last night. The car is driving fine right now around town. Thanks a lot for the help!

I've been getting a knocking noise usually somewhere in the middle of turning left, but it's not exactly consistent. It's more of single occurrence rather than a continuing noise. I thought it was the swaybar end-link loosening up, but I checked and it seems solid. Unless I checked the wrong side. The noise was somewhat similar. Any ideas?

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Originally Posted by az3579

Refresh kit is the way to go. Lemförder is the OEM for factory replacements.

Here's a basic kit:
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...zhp4piecekit-l

Here's the baller kit:
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-8-piece-control-arm-kit-e46-zhp8piecekit-l


I highly advise staying away from Meyle control arms and bushings. I've replaced my control arms AND FCABs with Meyle and every single one of those had to be replaced within 30k miles (the next year).

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As always BP, you’re a wealth of knowledge. Might go baller. Not because I know I definitely need to, but simply because I don’t recall my P.O. doing much on the front end. I’m taking a “while I’m at it” position in an attempt to recreate that brand new zhp feel.
Just need to check what kind of struts I have up front, koni or bilstein, as those need replacing too.


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Originally Posted by holyc0w

I've been getting a knocking noise usually somewhere in the middle of turning left, but it's not exactly consistent. It's more of single occurrence rather than a continuing noise. I thought it was the swaybar end-link loosening up, but I checked and it seems solid. Unless I checked the wrong side. The noise was somewhat similar. Any ideas?

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I had a similar issue when I got the car but went away after I replaced the sway bar end links. Are the tie rods old?


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Originally Posted by san

I had a similar issue when I got the car but went away after I replaced the sway bar end links. Are the tie rods old?


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Tie rods are new. I drove a few miles today and it didn't happen again. I'm sure it will be back tomorrow.