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04-25-2022, 04:04 PM | #1 |
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TRW has moved tension strut manufacturing to Malaysia
For anybody looking to replace their tension struts (sometimes referred to as a control arm), I have a PSA for you.
The tension struts were manufactured by TRW as the OEM supplier for the car in Germany. You can buy them as TRW branded, which is the exact same part as the OEM with the BMW stamp scratched off for about 1/3 of the price as the actual OEM ones. I was speaking to German Auto Solutions about monoballs, and they informed me that all of the right side tension struts are coming out of Malaysia, and they are not quite the same. Their supplier (FCP euro) has listed the items as out of stock, as the left and right side are now mismatched and they are trying to get this sorted out. Presumably the left side will also come out of Malaysia once German made stock is depleted. I made an order through bimmerworld for the tension struts as they were reasonably certain that they had German made arms in stock, but could not visually confirm. (I really really should have had them visually check, but the guy on the phone did not have the ability to get to the warehouse and quickly check). I placed an order and when they arrived, I got a German made left tension strut, and a Malaysian made right. I called every place I could find and everyone had the Malaysian right arms. I finally found someone who had a German right side, 1 left in stock, visually confirmed to be the German arm. For anybody needing arms right now, be VERY careful. I wouldn't want to mix and match these arms. It might be totally fine, but that's just not how I roll. Left and right need to be identical. Anyway- I took some photos and wanted to share so people could see the differences: Visually, here's what I can see:
This is just what I can tell without opening the bag. Haven't measured anything. Very curious what the story is going to be for the official OEM arms. |
04-25-2022, 04:14 PM | #2 |
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Actually looking at it again- there is a few other things I just noticed as well. The metal on the Malaysian arm is thicker and a slightly different shape as it approaches the ball joint compared to the German arm.
(found a picture of a German right to compare) The ball joint does appear to be different. The bottom plate of the ball joint is visually different. |
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04-28-2022, 05:00 PM | #4 |
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I got my German right tension strut in, and took a picture of it next to the Malaysian version, so you can get a better like/like comparison. Difficult to get a decent picture with them still in the bag.
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05-04-2022, 03:13 AM | #5 |
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Apparently I bought these at the right time then. Both sides are German from GAS, order placed April 4th.
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05-19-2022, 04:22 PM | #7 | |
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For now, if you want the german arms, OEM is likely the only way unless you can find someone that has old stock of the german arms. |
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05-25-2022, 01:52 PM | #8 |
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Has anyone purchased a set of TRW very recently and can confirm if vendors are still shipping out mismatched sets?
I had emailed GAS recently on whether their inventory had matched arms and had not received a response yet.
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05-25-2022, 05:25 PM | #9 |
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Where's the proof that the new ones are worse?
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05-25-2022, 06:53 PM | #10 |
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I never said they were worse.
I said they are different, and at this point an unknown variable. They could be better, but we have no data. The bigger concern at this point is you have no choice but to mix and match arms at this point unless you go OEM, as I don't think anybody has Malaysian left arms yet. FCP euro has halted sales and currently de-listed the TRW arms over this matter. |
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05-25-2022, 07:11 PM | #11 | |
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05-25-2022, 07:33 PM | #12 |
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I recently replaced all my arms, I never looked at the boxes for where they were made but have a few arms leftover, one says Czech Republic one says Europe. I also have been told, just recently funny enough, that with the European Union and some other obscure laws over there, goods aren't always made where the packaging states they are. Source was the CEO of Motorcar parts of America, a company that manufactures aftermarket oem style car parts.
Edit: looks like the CZ arm was packaged 21st week 2021 and the EU one is 46th week 2019
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05-25-2022, 09:23 PM | #13 | |
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Will the packaging be damaged if you took a look and compared them to the notables stated above for the arms made in Germany ("OE Spec")?
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05-25-2022, 10:09 PM | #14 | |
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That being said- I'm really curious if those two rear arms are identical or not. The design changing with the Malaysian tension strut arms is the odd bit. |
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05-25-2022, 10:53 PM | #15 | |
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I'm kind of curious what kind of reseller pushback there has been. ECS I'm sure sells a ton of these arms. They are commonly used as an upgrade on the regular 3 series. FCPeuro delisting the arms tells me there has to be some sort of conversation going on in the backend. |
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05-25-2022, 11:00 PM | #16 |
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I purchased all the arms as a package together, I didn't use the new toe arms, they're new in the box, I can open them and take some pics if you're interested.
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05-25-2022, 11:45 PM | #17 | ||
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05-25-2022, 11:47 PM | #18 | |
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No need to open them up since I'm looking into the front arms thank you sir.
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06-24-2022, 12:40 PM | #20 | |
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TRW: German v Malaysian Considerations...
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https://youtu.be/-LBx04UeYLI
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06-24-2022, 03:50 PM | #21 | |
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The regular non M arms aren't really an option unless you are going to have monoballs installed in them, due to them having an oil filled bushing instead of the solid rubber bushing in the TRW //M arms. You absolutely would not just want to swap a stock TRW arm for a non-M arm if you arent touching the bushings. Last I spoke to GAS, they were considering just moving to the non M arms and selling monoballs pre-installed in that only, due the TRW Malaysian issue. That video was an interesting watch. Thanks for sharing. |
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07-20-2022, 10:13 AM | #22 |
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Since FCP is showing these in stock, are they the ones made in Malaysia?
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