Suspension help…

[EThirtyinCT]

nope. all the available choices (E30, couple different E36 variants, E30 M3) are dimensionally similar enough that the strut should be able to at least bolt up.

I think we have the anomaly here. The tie rod. Have some proper ones coming today so we’ll try that.

[kronus]

nope. all the available choices (E30, couple different E36 variants, E30 M3) are dimensionally similar enough that the strut should be able to at least bolt up.

[EThirtyinCT]

just to settle things up here, I have a set of strut housings on the bench.

The steering linkages are labeled L and R.




Assembled correctly.



Left is on the left, right is on the right, for both photos.

Note that these have roll center spacers installed, yours may look different, etc etc. The ones in OP's photos are assembled correctly.

Awesome. Good stuff.

Beyond the linkages, could there be any issue with the currently run control arms messing any of this up?

[kronus]

just to settle things up here, I have a set of strut housings on the bench.

The steering linkages are labeled L and R.




Assembled correctly.



Left is on the left, right is on the right, for both photos.

Note that these have roll center spacers installed, yours may look different, etc etc. The ones in OP's photos are assembled correctly.

[nsubre]

The front had Ackermann steering which is so the outside wheel goes around a larger circle in a turn than the inner one. The way that works is if you draw a line from the strut steering ball joint through the strut bottom ball joint and continue the line \from both sides the two lines will meet at the line of the rear axle. So with the steering ball joint in front of the strut bottom ball joint the steering ball joint should be further out than the steering strut ball joint for the line to go toward the center of the car, not the other way.
Larry.

[EThirtyinCT]

Hope I didn’t start a shit storm! Lol

[1990m3]

How? The slot is not centered, it is offset to one side? Hmmmm

Maybe the wrong knuckle on the wrong strut, this would make the control arm and steering arm mounts, hit the rotor, if you could reverse it on the same strut? No?

Now I'm confused lol



T

I don't recall exactly, but like 10+ years ago I put them on and hooked up the control arms and had ridiculous negative camber and then realized my error. It was kind of funny actually, gave me a good laugh anyway.

[Reelizmpro]

Yeah, I think the bottom knuckles are on the wrong side, not the entire struts. If you look on the bottom they are attached by 4 bolts. You need to pay attention to the orientation of the them as 2 of them are different sizes.

[hardtailer]

Fit the left knuckle on the right strut. It would actually move the steering arm away from the disk

[HANDBLT]

you can absolutely bolt them on incorrectly -- spoken from experience!

How? The slot is not centered, it is offset to one side? Hmmmm

Maybe the wrong knuckle on the wrong strut, this would make the control arm and steering arm mounts, hit the rotor, if you could reverse it on the same strut? No?

Now I'm confused lol



T

[jimmy p.]

BMW Driver's/left side parts usually end in odd #s, passenger's/right side are even #s. I believe the knuckles have the part numbers car in them.
Brake caliper brackets go towards the rear of the car.
Offset LCA bushings offset to to outboard of the car.
The E30 or E36 racks should not make a difference.

[1990m3]

The knuckles can't be reversed. They are slotted off to one side so only work one way.

T

you can absolutely bolt them on incorrectly -- spoken from experience!

[Narayan3]

I would hesitate to risk my life driving a car with critical suspension work done by someone who can't figure L vs R. You should double check if everything is tightened down properly after you get the car...

[EThirtyinCT]

The knuckles can't be reversed. They are slotted off to one side so only work one way.

T

Got it. Many thanks

[HANDBLT]

Thank you Joe, so, meaning like the above mentioned, they are installed on the wrong side (the entire housing), or do you mean the knuckles themselves should be attached differently (ie. 'reversed' as you say?)

Sry for the amateur hour questions...struggle bus

The knuckles can't be reversed. They are slotted off to one side so only work one way.

T