From digest.v7.n351 Mon Sep 29 21:20:58 1997
From: rbrowne_at_erols.com
Date: Mon, 29 Sep 1997 20:02:40 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: <E36>TSB on early E36 Ball-joints

Oh yeah...as a followup to my E36 Ball-Joint Replacement post.. while perusing the list of Technical Service Bulletins, I noticed Bulletin # 31 01 94 (4063) entitled
"Front Ball Joint". This bulletin covers all 1992-1994 E36's with a production date prior to 10/93.
"Situation": The bonding of the rubber in the lower control arm ball joint may loosen over time, possibly causing noises from the front-end, slight increases in steering play in center position, or brake vibration felt in steering under light braking. <snip>
" Ball joints manufactured since 11/93 have been modified to prevent this occurence. The production date can be found on the lower bar of the ball joint. During the 1995 model year, an additional modification in the form of an anti-twist lock will be phased into production. "

The bulletin is about 10 pages and contains step-by-step replacement instructions with graphics. Also includes the factory labor allowance which is "8 FRU", whatever that means.

FWIW

Ron Browne
1992 318is
Bowie, MD
87,000 miles