Lemforder Upper Control Arm Bushing wrong size?

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gskrills
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Lemforder Upper Control Arm Bushing wrong size?

Post by gskrills »

I am currently replacing my upper control arms on my '89 635Csi and I bought the 4 pc Lemforder kit from FCP Euro : https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-co ... ecesteel-l

I went to install the new UCA and I noticed the bushing is 6 mm smaller in width than the one I removed. Am I ok to install this? I feel like I might have the wrong part but almost all sites I see say this Lemforder part will fit.
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baders
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Re: Lemforder Upper Control Arm Bushing wrong size?

Post by baders »

The part numbers certainly seem correct. Have you contacted FCPEuro ?
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2002 E46 M3 / Topaz Blau Metallic / Black Nappa / 6 speed SMG software tuned / Bilstein PSS10 Coilovers / CMP RACP reinforcement
gskrills
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Re: Lemforder Upper Control Arm Bushing wrong size?

Post by gskrills »

Not yet. It's the weekend, otherwise I would. I plan to when they're open.
wattsmonkey
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Re: Lemforder Upper Control Arm Bushing wrong size?

Post by wattsmonkey »

The one you removed looks like the reinforced version from the E32, which needed to be ground to size. Is it possible the larger bush was forced into place?
"Most of it necessary; all of it enjoyable." LJKS
'84 635CSi, dogleg...itbs and supercharger????? Eaton Mess
wattsmonkey
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Re: Lemforder Upper Control Arm Bushing wrong size?

Post by wattsmonkey »

Can’t get picture to work on this iPad, but can confirm uca bush on a spare arm removed from an e24 is just over 50mm wide as per one you just bought.
"Most of it necessary; all of it enjoyable." LJKS
'84 635CSi, dogleg...itbs and supercharger????? Eaton Mess
gskrills
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Re: Lemforder Upper Control Arm Bushing wrong size?

Post by gskrills »

After looking up E32 UCA's and their bushings, it looks like you are correct. The old one looks exactly like that: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-co ... 21139999my

Do you have any idea why or how this is possible on my 6 series? So far I see my solutions as being ordering new bushing and having a shop press them in the new parts or ordering new control arms and trying to send the ones I have now back to FCP Euro.
brickwhite
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Re: Lemforder Upper Control Arm Bushing wrong size?

Post by brickwhite »

I would stick with Myle HDs for Uppers...send the LEMS back.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-up ... 21132354my

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gskrills
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Re: Lemforder Upper Control Arm Bushing wrong size?

Post by gskrills »

Assuming that the steel portion of the meyle and lemforder are likely almost identical, you can see that the ones pulled out of my car have a much wider bushing race than the ones pictured in the FCP Euro link. I'm beginning to think the previous owner managed to shove E32 bushings / control arms in there. I'll try to get a picture of the mount to see if anyone else is in agreement.
gskrills
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Re: Lemforder Upper Control Arm Bushing wrong size?

Post by gskrills »

Here is the UCA mount on my car. I placed the UCAs in the gap just for reference (they are aimed towards the back of the car). It looks like it is bowed out towards the mounting holes. I measured around 57mm gap at the mounting holes and 51mm gap a bit closer to the chassis. You can also see the gap I currently have with the new Lemforder UCAs vs what was in there.

I am ok with bending these back to the right gap if we come to the conclusion that the wrong UCAs were in there to begin with. What do you guys think?

(don't mind the super scary exhaust welds :/ I have a Super Sprint on the way!)
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tschultz
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Re: Lemforder Upper Control Arm Bushing wrong size?

Post by tschultz »

Certainly seems like they were forced in there and the sheetmetal bowed out a bit. I would try it but would not use them if there any side to side slop.

I like Meyle HD as a compromise of cost vs lifecycle. You can get the replacement bushings for something like $40 and then press them into the standard arms, even a worn out pair if the ball joints are good.
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bpoliakoff
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Re: Lemforder Upper Control Arm Bushing wrong size?

Post by bpoliakoff »

wattsmonkey wrote: Sun Feb 24, 2019 10:42 am Can’t get picture to work on this iPad, but can confirm uca bush on a spare arm removed from an e24 is just over 50mm wide as per one you just bought.
I think The "Monkey" is correct. Years ago on the old Roadfly forum this was discussed many times and the answer was as wattsmonkey said. To buy the heavier duty bushing and then grind to size. This one probably wasn't ground.
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gskrills
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Re: Lemforder Upper Control Arm Bushing wrong size?

Post by gskrills »

Yup, that seems to be the consensus. I will be installing the correct ones and bending the mounting brackets back into shape in the process. Thanks everyone for the help on this!
Pod
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Re: Lemforder Upper Control Arm Bushing wrong size?

Post by Pod »

Interesting thread! Good luck with the installation.
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