1998 328i E36 Alignment

[perrysh]

I replaced the tie rods using the Pelican Tie Rod Super Kit. There is still rotational movement in both wheels when force is applied to the wheels held at 3 and 9 o'clock. Any ideas as to why this still occurs and what to do about it?

[Manolito]

Control arm bushings. If they have never been replaced, they are overdue.

Use stiffer-than-stock bushings. OEM bushings for a 328 are very mushy. Many folks use M3 bushings, but you have to get them from a model year of M3 that used centered rather than offset bushings so they will work on 328 control arms.

The book says to use solvent to mount the bushings so they adhere to the control arm. I use dish soap as a lubricant so I don't have to race the clock to get the bushings in place and set the car down to ride height before the solvent dries. I have done two e36s and two e46 and they are all working fine.

If you have not replaced your ball joints yet, they are probably due as well. They last only about 125-150k miles on good roads, much less on the track or on bad roads. If you need ball joints, don't bother trying to press them in. That is a PITA even with the correct tools. Just get a whole new control arm with two new ball joints attached. If you find that a bump or slight curve at highway speed triggers a high speed wobble of one front wheel, you need ball joints ASAP.

[perrysh]

You were right. I replaced control arms and bushings and had it professionally aligned. It was a challenge separating the ball joints and forcing the bushing on the new arms. I found that a shaving gel worked better than dish washing soap as a lubricant. Car drives well now. Thanks again.