<e30 suspension> control arm boots, etc.

[Rob Clark <rclark@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Well, I just finished installing shocks/springs on my 87 325is.  (I went 
with Bilstein Sport shocks + Eibach HD springs... I like the firmer ride.)  
I replaced the rear shock mounts, but decided to wait on the front mounts 
until I have a chance to autocross with this setup...  I think I might 
want more negative camber on the front, to reduce understeer.

Anyways, in the process of taking out the front struts, I noticed that the 
boots protecting the ball joint that connects the control arm to the strut, 
and the boots protecting the joint between the strut and tie-rod are broken. 
Can the boots be replaced individually, or do I need to replace the whole 
control arm.  (I remember hearing that the ball joints can't be replaced 
separately from the control arm.)  I think the tie-rod joint boot might have 
been broken while using a pickle fork to get the joint apart, but I think 
the control arm joint boot has been split for a while...  how can I tell if 
the ball joint itself has gone bad?

On a related note, I have read that the e46 uses an aluminum control arm.  
Has anyone figured out if this will fit an e30?  


Also, I accidentally bottomed out the car.  (Opps!)  It doesn't look like I 
did much damage, but some of the undercoating is scratched.  Is there 
anything I should be doing to protect from rust?


Thanks

- --Rob


PS.  I used the bentley to guide me through the process, but I had to figure 
out a number of tricks along the way... some of these may be obvious to 
someone who has done this type of work before, but if anyone is interested, 
I could post my experience.

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