Trying to decide on Upper Control Arms brands...

[APN-535i]

I don't know if I should go with Lemforder uppers with poly or stock, or with Meyle arm with a HD stock bushing.

I am going to do a rebuild of my front end. Since I am going to do it all at once, price does come into play a little... OK, maybe a little more than a little...

Any suggestions from those who have more experience than yo...?

[Steve Haygood]

ok here ya go with my thoughts

Meyle with HD are on spl this month 100 a pair, (plus approx 6.00 shipping)
Meyle,in the past was not a brand I would have env considered,but I have been told that their quality has recently improved, we'll see and at that price....it's tough to turn down

if it was my car, there are 2 choices
Lemforder with 750 or Lemforder with Grunts(poly) 140 vs 135 each

[John SCB]

If you have anything over 16" wheels, I suggest Lemforder with poly bushings. I hope that Meyle quality has improved as Steve suggests but they used to be called "warranty in a box".

[robeyff]

Another vote for urethanes - they made an incredible difference in my 5 - also had aluminum LCAs -dont know if you can get good aluminum uCAs, I would imagine so - I'm putting together another 5, that's whats going on mine - can't beat'em.

[Steve Haygood]

never have seen aluminum uppers, and FWIWm,the cats meow is the e31 uppers with spherical balljoint/bushings


[Edit by Steve Haygood on [TIME]1130880779[/TIME]]

[robeyff]

never have seen aluminum uppers, and FWIWm,the cats meow is the e31 uppers with spherical balljoint/bushings

Thanks Steve - I wonder why no Aluminum UCAs? Design not lend itself to aluminum stress #s? I'm going to get the new shell and start transferring engine, trans, etc. next week, will prob. be looking for susp. parts (since I sold mine) - have you got some e31 arms? The engine and trans I have are top notch, prob. not going to do any fancy tuning; what I will be focusing on is dropping weight - aside from composite body panels (I'm working on it) I realize my options for eliminating excess pounds are limited, but any suggestions you have will be appreciated. I prob. won't have another chance to build an E28 more or less from the ground up again, so I'd like to get it right. Thanks!

[Steve Haygood]

I havethe e31 arms and they are a direct drop in. I would guess the uppers not being in aluminum is all about stresses

[rodpaine]

[QUOTE="APN-535i"]I don't know if I should go with Lemforder uppers with poly or stock, or with Meyle arm with a HD stock bushing.[/QUOTE]
Andrew,
Drove a friends '87 535i with Lemforder/Grunts on various roads in Vermont and the things were too noisey. Too much road surface noise coupled into the cab for my taste, running on Pilots. When it comes time for mine, I'll have Steve send me Lemforder with 750i bushings. That feels like a nice configuration, especially on an E28 with E32 front brakes and much less road noise coupling into the cab.
FWIW,
-Rod

[APN-535i]

Thank Rod. I think I will order them, along with the rest of my front end goodies.

Steve, how do you take payment? Paypal, Check...

[2monkeysayoyo]

So what's the goin' rate on the e31 uppers?

[Steve Haygood]

I take plastic AND.....cash of course and checks too....

e31 lowers are 144.00ea in the good brand

[Edit by Steve Haygood on [TIME]1130989905[/TIME]]


[Edit by Steve Haygood on [TIME]1130994376[/TIME]]

[L_N_Love]

Drove a friends '87 535i with Lemforder/Grunts on various roads in Vermont and the things were too noisey.

I have Lemforders with grunts and have no noise at all.....tight as a tick ...no shimmy...noise...etc. Something else must be the cause with your friends car.

[APN-535i]

The thing that kills me is that Meyle arm with a HD stock bushing is about $60+ cheaper the Lemfords. I don't race, but enjoy a good handling car. I drive a little faster than I should, but am careful, since I have a family, and because of "the family" thing, I need to watch every $.

Steve mentioned that the Meyle's are beefier, and I think they are on special this month... (correct me if I am wrong Steve)...

[pdx 528e]

[QUOTE="APN-535i"]Steve mentioned that the Meyle's are beefier, and I think they are on special this month... (correct me if I am wrong Steve)... [/QUOTE]

They are noticeably beefier when held next to the oem part, and the bushing looks to be the same construction as the E32(750) part, except actually made to fit our cars without machining. That price is a steal too.

[Steve Haygood]

[QUOTE="APN-535i"]The thing that kills me is that Meyle arm with a HD stock bushing is about $60+ cheaper the Lemfords. I don't race, but enjoy a good handling car. I drive a little faster than I should, but am careful, since I have a family, and because of "the family" thing, I need to watch every $.

Steve mentioned that the Meyle's are beefier, and I think they are on special this month... (correct me if I am wrong Steve)... [/QUOTE]

Correct , on sale this month

[I'm the DRIVER]

I currently have the Meyle UCA and LCA that I installed in the spring of this year which I bought locally. I guess Its the updated one because the bushings on the UCA had somekind of plastic stiffener compared to the oem one it replaced. Fast forward to now, the front end started to shimmy again. I loosened the through bolts and preloaded it again and it went away temporarilly. I do a lot of driving btw.

[APN-535i]

They are noticeably beefier when held next to the oem part, and the bushing looks to be the same construction as the E32(750) part

What is different about the e32 bushing. Do they last longer? Are they softer? Higher or lower durometer?...

[Techboy]

I would go with the Lemforders. I have used them for years on my own vehicles and many others and they are a great quality part albeit a little more expensive.