E36 FCAB Offset vs. Centered

ismail · 11-29-2011, 02:37 PM

Hi,

Need some help, car is at the shop right now getting the FCAB changed, however the tech has asked me which position it should be installed in to get the best camber. He says there are two positions centered and offset. I have no idea so thought I would post it up. These are stock bushings for a 98 328is with the sport suspension.

Checked the Suspension overhaul FAQ over on BF, however it does not provide much info except that the centered are better because they are on the later M3.

Pelican part # for reference
31-12-9-064-875-M36

Thanks,
Ismail

ismail · 11-29-2011, 02:37 PM

Car will be dropped 1.6" in the front and 1" in the back - going with a spring and strut/ shock setup.

**T.Dot_E30** · 11-29-2011, 02:41 PM

95 M3 or 96+ Control Arms?

The control arms determine what bushing should be used.
Only 95 M3s came with offset CABs.

Non-Ms & 96+ M3 Control Arms = Centred CABs
95 M3 Control Arms = Offset CABs

Correct me if i'm wrong someone, but I think i got it right.

325isdan · 11-29-2011, 03:22 PM

I am pretty sure you can only put in the CAB in one way. You buy either centered or offset. The offset ( I believe) will give you a tighter steering feel. Any E36 CAB will fit on a E36 or E30.

The CAB does not have any effect on camber.

ismail · 11-29-2011, 04:12 PM

Thanks guys for the quick reply...wrong part# u guys were correct.

Tech backed away from the bushings! So glad he called me before deciding to rip out the old ones - Kudos to him.

Will have to order new ones.

In other news have b30 M3 offset LCABs for sale!

Dr. Flyview · 11-30-2011, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T.Dot_E30

95 M3 or 96+ Control Arms?

The control arms determine what bushing should be used.
Only 95 M3s came with offset CABs.

Non-Ms & 96+ M3 Control Arms = Centred CABs
95 M3 Control Arms = Offset CABs

Correct me if i'm wrong someone, but I think i got it right.

That's the way things are set up stock. Keep in mind the M3's have different geometry set ups than non-M's as well. The 96+ M3 geometry with centered bushings is similar to the 95 M3 with offset bushings because the control arms are a little different. I THINK non-M's have the 95 M3 control arm shape, so I decided to run offset front control arm bushings on my non-M. The other extreme is 96+ control arms with offset bushings. This pushes the wheel even further forward for more ?castor.

Axxe · 11-30-2011, 09:37 PM

Non-m and 95 m3 (us only) = normal e30 geometry control arms. Offset bushing is upgrade on non-m cars. 96-99 m3 = centered solid bushing and caster modified control arms (almost triple the cost of meyle HD's). This is why most do Meyle HD non-m arms (same as e30) and then do the solid offset 95 m3 or e30 m3 CABs. This is what I have and caster is right in line for 96-99 m3 alignment specs.

SiR · 11-30-2011, 11:54 PM

run the proper one...

96+ m is centered. running the offset(on 96+ m) gives you way too much caster and is silly to use.

325isdan · 12-01-2011, 07:03 AM

I am pretty sure that FCAB have no effect on caster all they will do is tighten up steering feel if you use offset. You can also go solid mount from TreeHouseRacing for even more steering tightness.

To adjust caster and camber you need to use ( and this is where i am not 100% sure) the strut mounts or strut hats ?? from a 96+M3 to change the geometry of the suspension not FCAB.

**T.Dot_E30** · 12-01-2011, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 325isdan

I am pretty sure that FCAB have no effect on caster all they will do is tighten up steering feel if you use offset. You can also go solid mount from TreeHouseRacing for even more steering tightness.

To adjust caster and camber you need to use ( and this is where i am not 100% sure) the strut mounts or strut hats ?? from a 96+M3 to change the geometry of the suspension not FCAB.

The FACBs on e30s and e36s do effect Caster.

You are correct that you need Camber plates to adjust camber, most camber plates don't allow you to adjust Caster.

Dr. Flyview · 12-01-2011, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Axxe

Non-m and 95 m3 (us only) = normal e30 geometry control arms. Offset bushing is upgrade on non-m cars. 96-99 m3 = centered solid bushing and caster modified control arms (almost triple the cost of meyle HD's). This is why most do Meyle HD non-m arms (same as e30) and then do the solid offset 95 m3 or e30 m3 CABs. This is what I have and caster is right in line for 96-99 m3 alignment specs.

Yup pretty much what I said

ismail · 12-01-2011, 03:08 PM

I have regular non-m control arms - so from what u guys are saying is that this bushing will work.

Reason I originally got the M3 one is because it is solid, and I read somewhere that it was an upgrade.

Will post pics of the drop - car feel has improved significantly and the car rides much quieter now.

SiR · 12-02-2011, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 325isdan

I am pretty sure that FCAB have no effect on caster

incorrect

ismail · 12-02-2011, 01:00 PM

okay for those of you guys that installed the 95 M3 offset bushings on non-m/ Meyle control arms.

How did you align the bushing in the lollipop? A pic would be ideal but an explanation would help also.

Axxe · 12-02-2011, 02:40 PM

Offset towards the frame rail (mounting part). Basically the whole point is to increase caster, which requires moving the rear of the control arm outward, towards to outside of the car (the side). Or you could just align the arrows.