Use the following checklist as a guide for control arm replacement. On page 9 we have listed all of the necessary torque specifications for the E36 rear suspension to cover the control arms as well as any other replacements/repairs you may be performing at the same time.
Raise and securely support the vehicle.
Remove both rear wheels.
Remove both lower control arm bolts on each side.
Remove both lower control arms.
Install the new ECS Tuning adjustable control arms in place.
Install and hand tighten the bolts.
Reinstall and torque the rear wheels.
Lower the vehicle onto the wheels so it is at ride height.
Torque the bolts to the proper specification with the wheels at ride height. Perform a four wheel alignment/tighten the turnbuckle lock nuts.
Use the following checklist as a guide for control arm replacement. On page 10 we have listed all of the necessary torque specifications for the E46 rear suspension to cover the control arms as well as any other replacements/repairs you may be performing at the same time.
Raise and securely support the vehicle. Remove both rear wheels.
M3 models only: Remove the rear reinforcing brace.
Remove rear underbody shields and insulation as necessary.
Unbolt the rear differential from the subframe (this will be required for clearance to remove the inner control arm bolts). Support the rear trailing arms using a jack or adjustable jack stand.
Remove both lower control arm mounting bolts, pushing the rear differential towards the rear as necessary to remove the bolts. Remove the original control arms.
Install the ECS Tuning control arms into place.
Install and hand tighten the bolts.
Reinstall and torque the wheels, then lower the vehicle onto the wheels so it is at ride height.
Torque the control arm bolts with the vehicle at ride height, then reinstall braces and shields as necessary.
Perform a four wheel alignment/tighten the turnbuckle lock nuts.
E36 Rear Suspension Torque Specifications
Differential to subframe front M12 bolt …………………………………………………………………………….. 95 Nm (70 Ft-lbs)
Differential to subframe rear M14 bolt……………………………………………………………………………….77 Nm (57 Ft-lbs)
Drive axle collar nut to drive flange……………………………………………………………………………………250 Nm (184 Ft-lbs)
Drive axle collar nut to drive flange M3 Models…………………………………………………………300 Nm (221 Ft-lbs)
Drive axle to differential flange M8 Torx Bolt…………………………………………………………………….64 Nm (47 Ft-lbs)
Drive axle to differential flange M10 Torx Bolt…………………………………………………………………..83 Nm (62 Ft-lbs)
Drive axle to differential flange M10 Ribbed Bolt …………………………………………………………….. 100 Nm (74 Ft-lbs)
Driveshaft to differential flange with CV joint M8 bolt …………………………………………………….32 Nm (23 Ft-lbs)
Driveshaft to differential flange with U-joint M10 ribbed nut………………………………………….80 Nm (59 Ft-lbs)
Driveshaft to differential flange with U-Joint M10 compressed nut………………………………..60 Nm (44 ft-lbs)
Lower control arm to subframe M12 bolt ………………………………………………………………………….. 77Nm (57 Ft-lbs)
Lower control arm to trailing arm M12 eccentric bolt……………………………………………………….110 Nm (81 Ft-lbs)
Shock absorber to trailing arm……………………………………………………………………………………………77 Nm (57 Ft-lbs)
Subframe to body ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 77 Nm (57 Ft-lbs)
Trailing arm bracket to body……………………………………………………………………………………………….77 Nm (57 Ft-lbs)
Trailing arm to front bracket ………………………………………………………………………………………………. 110 Nm (81 Ft-lbs)
Upper control arm to rear subframe M12 Bolt …………………………………………………………………..77 Nm (57 Ft-lbs)
Upper control arm to trailing arm M12 Bolt……………………………………………………………………….110 Nm (81 Ft-lbs)
Wheels…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..100 Nm (74 Ft-lbs)
• A note about torque to yield or “stretch” bolts: Many bolts will have a torque speci cation listed in the format – xx Nm+xx degrees (xx Ft-lbs+xx degrees). These bolts are torque to yield bolts, commonly referred to as “stretch” bolts. The correct procedure for torquing these bolts is: Stage One – torque them to the Nm or Ft-lb speci cation. Stage Two – tighten each one the additional speci ed number of degrees. To prevent over torquing it is important to mark each fastener with paint immediately after performing the second stage or “stretching” of the bolts.
A “ribbed” or “non ribbed” bolt or nut is identified by the contact surface of the nut or bolt. See the illustration below.
E46 Rear Suspension Torque Specifications
Differential to subframe front M12 bolt …………………………………………………………………………….. 110 Nm (81 Ft-lbs)
Differential to subframe rear M14 bolt……………………………………………………………………………….174 Nm (128 Ft-lbs)
Drive axle collar M24 nut to drive flange……………………………………………………………………………250 Nm (184 Ft-lbs)
Drive axle collar M27 nut to drive flange……………………………………………………………………………300 Nm (221 Ft-lbs)
Drive axle to differential flange M10 x 20mm torx bolt…………………………………………………….83 Nm (61 Ft-lbs)
Drive axle to differential flange M10 x 46mm bolt (black)………………………………………………..100 Nm (74 Ft-lbs)
Drive axle to differential flange M10 x 46mm bolt (silver-always replace)………………………80 Nm (59 Ft-lbs)
Driveshaft to differential flange M10 compression nut ……………………………………………………. 64 Nm (47 Ft-lbs)
Driveshaft to differential flange M10 torx bolt …………………………………………………………………. 85 Nm (63 Ft-lbs)
Lower control arm to subframe M12 bolt ………………………………………………………………………….. 110 Nm (81 Ft-lbs)
Lower control arm to trailing arm M12 eccentric bolt……………………………………………………….110 Nm (81 Ft-lbs)
Shock absorber to trailing arm……………………………………………………………………………………………100 Nm (74 Ft-lbs)
Subframe to body M12 bolt, M12 nut to mounting stud…………………………………………………..77 Nm (57 Ft-lbs)
Subframe M12 mounting stud to body ……………………………………………………………………………… 90 Nm (66 Ft-lbs)
Trailing arm to front bracket ………………………………………………………………………………………………. 110 Nm (81 Ft-lbs)
Trailing arm bracket to body……………………………………………………………………………………………….77 Nm (57 Ft-lbs)
Upper control arm to rear subframe M12 bolt ………………………………………………………………….. 77 Nm (57 Ft-lbs)
Upper control arm to trailing arm M12 bolt……………………………………………………………………….110 Nm (81 Ft-lbs)
V-Brace to differential or body M10 bolt ……………………………………………………………………………59 Nm+90 deg (44 Ft-lbs+90 deg)
Wheels…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..120 Nm (90 Ft-lbs)
Interested in purchasing?
ECS Adjustable Rear Control Arms E36/46
For maintaining your suspension geometry in lowered vehicles, adding the correct adjustment capabilities by installing adjustable control arms is paramount.
