Y'all are probably already aware not to order E21 parts from them, but, moment of weakness they had them in stock and I thought I'd get to it sooner than I did.  

Brand is Suspensia, p/n IZX0J5TA0852/3 (for whatever reason I ordered right/left, turns out you use the  one with the donut for both sides...).

Can't return them (see above).

So, E21 guys, all three of ya, pay attention.  ; )

irish44j (Forum Supporter)
irish44j (Forum Supporter) MegaDork
12/1/23 11:50 p.m.

IDK, I ordered plenty of e21 parts from them with no issues. Maybe the problem is the "Suspensia" brand rather than the AC Delco, Delphi, or Mevotech that are also available for the e21 at Rockauto? IDK. 

Why can't you return them? RA has always taken non-fitting parts back when I've had issues over many years of ordering from them.  

 

 

matthewmcl
matthewmcl Dork
12/2/23 9:44 a.m.

In reply to irish44j (Forum Supporter) :

If you wait too long to identify that you got the wrong part, you miss the return window.

stuart in mn
stuart in mn MegaDork
12/2/23 10:57 a.m.

Do the parts cross reference from e28 tie rod ends?  It's probably best to stick with dedicated BMW parts specialists for these old cars, I like Blunttech but there are others who are good too.

matthewmcl said:

In reply to irish44j (Forum Supporter) :

If you wait too long to identify that you got the wrong part, you miss the return window.

Yep!

stuart in mn said:

Do the parts cross reference from e28 tie rod ends?  It's probably best to stick with dedicated BMW parts specialists for these old cars, I like Blunttech but there are others who are good too.

Not sure on the E28 cross, and/but, the place I ordered the rest of the stuff was out of stock on these.  First time I've ever gotten a bum part from RA. 

Just throwing it out there for knowledge.

Not catastrophic, I don't daily the E21, I just enjoy driving it as often as is possible, so it bummed me out.  I love driving it as much as love driving the Miata now that I've got a nice suspension on it.

adam525i
adam525i SuperDork
12/2/23 2:10 p.m.

E21 gets a rack (lucky!), E28 has a steering box and linkage setup so very different. 

Update:

URO units are no help (I've had decent luck with that brand), they don't come with locking plates that will work.

Didn't really want to go the blue locktite route just yet, either.

Delphi units with VW locking tabs will work, though!

The VW LP's aren't washer style, they only bend in two discrete locations, so they won't work unless you have a hexagonal inner socket on the tie rod.

I'll get pics up tomorrow of what it looks like; tried to get a pic up of  the style locking plates I used, wouldn't let me upload.

But there is hope for something other than blue locktite!

 

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