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front lower control arm bushings



 
 
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  #1  
Old July 18th 05, 09:03 PM
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Default front lower control arm bushings

Howdy,

My dealer is recommending that I replace the front lower control arm
bushings on my 1999 323i. My BMW has about 57,000 miles on it, and the
quote for replacing them is around $550.00. Is this a reasonable
price? Do I really needs these replaced based on the amount of miles
that I have on the car?

Thanks!

Ads
  #2  
Old July 18th 05, 09:41 PM
JB
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> wrote in message
oups.com...
> Howdy,
>
> My dealer is recommending that I replace the front lower control arm
> bushings on my 1999 323i. My BMW has about 57,000 miles on it, and the
> quote for replacing them is around $550.00. Is this a reasonable
> price? Do I really needs these replaced based on the amount of miles
> that I have on the car?
>

It's a bit of a low mileage for new bushes unless you drive like an animal.
Even so, the bushes are only £12-£18 each and allowing 30mins for pressing
the old ones out and new ones in $550 seems outrageous.
Complete new arms are only about £50ea complete.
Find a new dealer.

JB


  #3  
Old July 18th 05, 09:42 PM
Troika
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If I remember BMW had problems with 99 323 control-arm??.
> wrote in message
oups.com...
> Howdy,
>
> My dealer is recommending that I replace the front lower control arm
> bushings on my 1999 323i. My BMW has about 57,000 miles on it, and the
> quote for replacing them is around $550.00. Is this a reasonable
> price? Do I really needs these replaced based on the amount of miles
> that I have on the car?
>
> Thanks!
>



  #4  
Old July 18th 05, 10:53 PM
Dave Plowman (News)
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In article .com>,
> wrote:
> My dealer is recommending that I replace the front lower control arm
> bushings on my 1999 323i. My BMW has about 57,000 miles on it, and the
> quote for replacing them is around $550.00. Is this a reasonable
> price? Do I really needs these replaced based on the amount of miles
> that I have on the car?


You'd know if you did - you'll get wheel wobble at about 50-60 mph.

--
*If I worked as much as others, I would do as little as they *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.
  #5  
Old July 18th 05, 11:35 PM
JRE
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JB wrote:

> wrote in message
roups.com...
>
>
>>Howdy,
>>
>> My dealer is recommending that I replace the front lower control arm
>>bushings on my 1999 323i. My BMW has about 57,000 miles on it, and the
>>quote for replacing them is around $550.00. Is this a reasonable
>>price? Do I really needs these replaced based on the amount of miles
>>that I have on the car?
>>
>>
>>

Assuming an E46, he

This is an outrageous price for lower control arm bushings, which take
about 5 minutes each to replace and cost about USD100 in parts. It's a
very reasonable price for replacing both lower control arms, which are
about USD400 the pair and a pain in the neck (and elsewhere) to replace
because the internal hex socket at the top of the inner ball joint shaft
is difficult to reach and will be partly filled with rust, making it
difficult to remove. It's an especially reasonable price for both
control arms and the bushings. (I normally do my own work but had
someone offered USD550 for both arms and the rear bushings I'd have
taken them up on it.)

From the price, I suspect that they really meant replacing the lower
control arms. If they really meant just the bushings, run in the other
direction at best speed. ;-)

>It's a bit of a low mileage for new bushes unless you drive like an animal.
>Even so, the bushes are only £12-£18 each and allowing 30mins for pressing
>the old ones out and new ones in $550 seems outrageous.
>Complete new arms are only about £50ea complete.
>Find a new dealer.
>
>
>

These are forged aluminum arms with unreplaceable pressed-in ball
joints. The bushings mount separately near the junction of firewall and
floor.

>JB
>

  #7  
Old July 24th 05, 03:08 PM
Malt_Hound
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Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
> In article .com>,
> > wrote:
>
>> My dealer is recommending that I replace the front lower control arm
>>bushings on my 1999 323i. My BMW has about 57,000 miles on it, and the
>>quote for replacing them is around $550.00. Is this a reasonable
>>price? Do I really needs these replaced based on the amount of miles
>>that I have on the car?

>
>
> You'd know if you did - you'll get wheel wobble at about 50-60 mph.
>



On an E36? That's not my experience...

-Fred W
  #8  
Old July 24th 05, 08:24 PM
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Default

Wow, thanks guys for all of the responses!

I don't seem to feel wheel wobble (unless its something settle which I
don't notice.)

I did ask why it was so expensive, and the service guy said it was
because of the labor involved (it would take 2-3 hours to do the
replacement.)

  #9  
Old July 24th 05, 10:45 PM
Dave Plowman (News)
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Default

In article >,
Malt_Hound > wrote:
> > You'd know if you did - you'll get wheel wobble at about 50-60 mph.


> On an E36? That's not my experience...


Ok. But just about any wear anywhere on strut suspension can result in
wheel wobble.

--
*Upon the advice of my attorney, my shirt bears no message at this time

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.
 




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