Date: Mon, 23 Jul 2001 13:40:01 -0500 From: Neil Maller Subject: Re: FS: H&R Sport springs for 95 M3 on 7/21/01 1:25 PM, "Dan Hermann" wrote: >>> BMW made the upper spring diameter smaller starting in 96, presumably to >>> provide clearance for the highly offset bearing hats they introduced at >>> the same time.<< > > out of curiosity, are these "bearing hats" the same as the upper spring > plates? i'm trying to locate them on the ETK parts CDROM and i can't find > anything that fits that description. Dan, Different people use different terminology. And BMW has an English language all of its own. Follow this route in the ETK: Main Group ---> 31 Front axle ---> 10 Front axle suspension ---> 31_0239 Guide Support/Spring Pad/Attaching Parts. Part 1 is the "Guide Support" (aka Bearing Hat, aka Bearing Plate) which bolts into the strut tower. Part 8 is the "Upper Spring Plate" (aka "Upper Spring Perch") which supports the top of the spring (via a rubber pad, Part 9). It's this spring plate which is smaller in diameter on the 95 M3 than the 96 M3, to match the smaller spring top diameter. Neil 96 M3