Front Control Arms - Need Help [Archive]

View Full Version : Front Control Arms - Need Help

11-01-2002, 07:15 PM

Marvel, I need your help on this (Anyone's feedback is appreciated as well)
I took my car in for a 27-point inspection along with an oil change (since I don't have a spot to do it myself), anyway, I also had a vibration in my steering wheel that looked like balancing problem. So I asked the BMW dealership (horrible service agents by the way /forums/images/smiles/icon_mad.gif ) to look into that & balance the wheels if they saw that appropriate. I get a phone call with the following diagnosis:
Front Lower Control Arm, r&r (ADD for Alignment & MUST REPLACE AS SET) with the following estimate:
31-12-6-758-520 (Wishbone) for $204.25
31-12-6-758-519 (Wishbone Left) for $204.25
32-21-1-095-267 (Nut) 2 for $1.16
31-32-1-090-633 (Hex Nut) 2 for $2.34
31-12-6-757-623 (Bracket Set) for $123.63
31-10-6-757-145 (Clip) 2 for $13.44

Labor of 4.5 hours was $391.00
Parts total was $549.07
Tax & Misc was $79.19

Which made the estimate for $1,019.26 and that is without balancing & alignment which is an extra $199.00 Oh boy....

Part of the annoying thing is a twitch in the steering wheel when you do a sudden and quick step on the brake pedal, along with a constant vibration in the steering wheel while driving.

My question is: did anyone have a similar problem? and Marvel, do you have an idea on how big of a project changing the control arms (if it takes them 4.5 hours, it would take me a day probably!) As always, all feedback is highly appreciated.
Thanks & God bless /forums/images/smiles/icon_frown.gif

HiMiles

11-01-2002, 07:18 PM

This post is for me by the way.
HiMiles

Darius

11-01-2002, 07:33 PM

HiMiles,

I had the exact same problem. At times when I did hit the brakes suddenly, the steering wheel shook a little. I had it fixed at the dealer. The total parts and labor was $450.

Darius

11-01-2002, 07:35 PM

By the way they only had to change this part 31-12-6-757-622. That took care of the whole problem.

HiMiles

11-03-2002, 09:31 PM

Darius, do you happen to have the detailed bill that the dealership provide?

MarvelPhx

11-03-2002, 10:55 PM

Have you already had the work done and are you still under warranty?

HiMiles

11-04-2002, 12:08 PM

Todd, I haven't done the work yet and my car is not under warranty. I had them give me an estimate so I can figure out what I need to do. I am digging the Bentley manual page by page to see if it's doable, but i have quite few questions that you might be able to help me with.
God Bless

MarvelPhx

11-04-2002, 01:19 PM

Well, the tool needed to press the control arms free of the bushings is custom, but you can probably rig something to do it.

I would have BMW check on the TSB for the control arms to see if it is covered that way as well.

apar328i

11-04-2002, 02:32 PM

I'm not sure if it's the same problem but I also had a steering wheel shake when I applied my brakes. I reported it to the dealer several times then finally when I had my 30K mile service they said there was a TSB out and they fixed the problem. They replaced all kinds of shit in the front end under warrantee. My car is a '99 328i, I'm not sure if the problem was apparent in newer models. I'd have them check for a TSB before you shell out all that $$$. I think they should fix it even if your car is not under warrantee, the TSB has been out for awhile.

[ This Message was edited by: apar328i on 2002-11-04 16:35 ]

Darius

11-04-2002, 04:15 PM

Himiles,

I do have the detailed bill somewhere!

HiMiles

11-04-2002, 05:52 PM

Pardon my ignorance guys, what does the TSB stand for?
Todd, do you know if it needs a special press to put the bushing in the bracket set?

Darius

11-04-2002, 07:55 PM

Himiles,

On my repair order it says that both of my front control arm bushings were worn out. They had replaced them and that cured the problem.

MarvelPhx

11-04-2002, 11:49 PM

TSB = Technical Service Bulletin

I know BMW has a special tool, looks kinda like a steering wheel puller to remove the control arms from the bushings.

HiMiles

11-05-2002, 09:45 AM

apar328i,
do you happen to have what was done on your car under TSB? there's a list that they print with the dealer info where the car was originally bought and a list of all the stuff that was recalled. I just had 2 things on recall that i've changed:
THermostat Campaign 11.07.01
PCV Valve Vent Hose 11.09.01
I also have all the stuff changed but in codes and digits.
Todd, is there any way I can get explanations of what was changed through these codes & digits?
Thanks for all your help guys.

apar328i

11-05-2002, 12:50 PM

On 2002-11-05 11:45, HiMiles wrote:
apar328i,
do you happen to have what was done on your car under TSB? there's a list that they print with the dealer info where the car was originally bought and a list of all the stuff that was recalled. I just had 2 things on recall that i've changed:
THermostat Campaign 11.07.01
PCV Valve Vent Hose 11.09.01
I also have all the stuff changed but in codes and digits.
Todd, is there any way I can get explanations of what was changed through these codes & digits?
Thanks for all your help guys.

I'll look for the receipt to see what all they did under the TSB. What ever they did solved the problem, there is no more steering wheel shake when braking.

Darius

11-05-2002, 07:18 PM

Is the PCV valve, the Engine pressure regulator valve? Or is it something else?

[ This Message was edited by: Darius on 2002-11-05 21:19 ]

HiMiles

11-05-2002, 08:19 PM

Darius, this is the explanation of the PCV replacement:
PCV Vent Hose 11.09.01 Emissions Recall 02E-A01 (Replace Vent Case Ventilation Hose. DC 0011660100 WP 1 LBR 0053184 .5)
This is exactly how it was worded on my bill. You probably had this changed already though since the recall date is from 2001?
Let me know.

Darius

11-05-2002, 11:19 PM

I am not sure if it was changed I have to ask the dealer.
The reason I was asking was because my dealer had changed the engine pressure regulator valve and vacuum hose. I had to pay for it so I wanted to make sure that this is not PCV valve we are talking about.

apar328i

11-06-2002, 08:54 AM

On 2002-11-06 01:19, Darius wrote:
I am not sure if it was changed I have to ask the dealer.
The reason I was asking was because my dealer had changed the engine pressure regulator valve and vacuum hose. I had to pay for it so I wanted to make sure that this is not PCV valve we are talking about.

PVC stands for Positive Crankcase Ventilation. I believe it's different than what what the dealer had changed. The valve is basically a "vent" for the engine. Over time they can get clogged up with gunk from the oily air that is escaping from the engine. I'm not sure how often that is in the BMW. I think it's usually replaced when tune ups are performed.

HiMiles

11-06-2002, 10:02 AM

Darius. I think I still need to change the vacuum hose, I'm not sure. When I first bought it, they told me i needed to change that. It would really help me if you told me what they replaced so I can do the same and see if I can change it myself. What are the symptoms of this piece though?

apar328i, I am visiting Phoenix in November. Are you going to make it to the Pavillionon the 23rd?

apar328i

11-06-2002, 01:48 PM

Yeah, I'm going to try to make it. I'll dazzel everyone with my bone stock 328 /forums/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif

[ This Message was edited by: apar328i on 2002-11-06 15:49 ]

apar328i

11-07-2002, 05:45 PM

HiMiles,

I sent you an email with the list of things they did on my front end. I hope it is what you're looking for.

HiMiles

11-07-2002, 07:56 PM

apar328i, I didn'tget the email. Can youresend it to me please? Thanks
HiMiles

Darius

11-07-2002, 09:34 PM

HiMiles,

The symptom was a whistling noise comming from under the hood. Especialy when in gear. Air was getting sucked in through the oil cap. When I would loosen up the oil cap a bit, the suction of air thru oil cap got much stronger and louder.

HiMiles

11-07-2002, 10:28 PM

Darius, I don't have the whistling noise yet, thank God. So I'm sleeping on it for now. Thanks for the feedback

apar328i

11-08-2002, 08:27 AM

On 2002-11-07 21:56, HiMiles wrote:
apar328i, I didn'tget the email. Can youresend it to me please? Thanks
HiMiles

I'll try to send it again this evening, it's on my home machine.

superdad

03-08-2003, 04:49 PM

HImiles!
We need to talk! my car is doing the same thing yours did!PLEASE e-mail me
cwcepps@hotmail.com

my dealer doesnt know their ass from their bellybutton and they dont have a clue on how to fix it. I would like to meet with you so you can drive my car to see if its doing the same thing yors did.ASAP

Thanks~superdad

03-08-2003, 04:49 PM