Front Control Arms - Need Help

[HiMiles]

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

[superdad]

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

[thekubiaks]

Guys,
It is very likely that your control arm bushings are worn out. They are known to be weak and wear out quickly. The symptoms you describe are very close to this problem. As 75% of the BMW dealers will try to do, these guys are trying to screw you too. Find an independant BMW mechanic and tell him to check your control arm bushings. You are looking at about $200 bucks to replace the front bushings......

[MarvelPhx]

There is also a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) for vibration or instablity under braking for certain E46. I would look into it.

TSB: 34 07 98 issued in JUL 99 -

Brakes - Twitch in Steering Wheel With Rapid Application

[superdad]

Yea the dealer told me that it was warped brake rotors, so they changed those out and it had the same twitch in it.Then they told me that my right ball joint was bad. I had that checked at a local shop and they said the dealer is full of sh-t.So I 19's with the eibach pro-kit. They told me that my offset was "astronomical from factory". My new wheels have a 41mm offset compared to a 40mm factory.They are running outta stuff to say is wrong with it.I wish I had read this post about a month ago.I would be a happy camper by now.Anyone have the set up I have or Know anyone that has it? The dealer told me to get a camber kit, but my alignment shop said I dont need one.
Anyway, so if I get the control arm bushings in it, the shake should go away?Is this more common when you lower your car?

[apar328i]

On 2003-03-08 22:28, MarvelPhx wrote:
There is also a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) for vibration or instablity under braking for certain E46. I would look into it.

TSB: 34 07 98 issued in JUL 99 -

Brakes - Twitch in Steering Wheel With Rapid Application



I had the same problem and I believe it was fixed under the TSB Marvel mentioned above.

[Darius]

If you fix something under TSB is that same as recall? Is it free or you have to pay for it?

[MarvelPhx]

A recall has to be fixed by BMW even if the vehicle is out of warranty... they are usually safety related such as the auxilary fans catching fire...

A TSB is a "known issue resolution" but will only be covered under the warranty period such as the sunroof clips and window regulators...

[superdad]

I had a TSB of 34 04 01 done. I dont even know what that is.Is it the same thing as the other one above?I would like to know the difference.
Oh my car keeps stalling over speed bumps.
So its going in the shop in about 2 weeks.
If my steering wheels is twitching and I have new brakes and rotors and my car IS in alignment could my control arm bushings be the couse of that? I have 34k in miles on my car.How often do the ball joint go to hell on our cars?
Can you use a front stress bar with a camber kit?I have 19's with 41mm offset w/ eibach pro-kit springs.For some reason my alignment people said I need a camber kit to get back in factory specs.I thought that with those springs that I wouldnt need a camber kit?Something doesnt seem right to me.
Marvel you gotta help me out here or give me some insight on what the hell to do.