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I was told that the front lower control arm rearward bushings are loose on my 325ci. The shops estimate was $100 parts and $320 for labor for both sides. What is a typical labor cost to replace them? Also what does a wheel alignment usually cost on these cars?
Thanks for any insight you can give me.
Last edited by Oldduffer; 11-17-2017 at 11:04 AM.
Member
Find another shop.
Parts are not that expensive and this is a DIY job with marginal skills. Even easier if you have a lift available. A total of four bolts hold the CAB's in place and you can access them all after removing the protection plate. I did this job in under an hour with a lift. Paid less than $40 for the parts (New Bushing with Carrier) and have enjoyed the last 2400 miles of driving with no steering wheel shake while braking.
Last edited by All2kool; 11-18-2017 at 10:11 AM.
Wagon meister :)
BMW Tech Expert
I can get alignments done here in Germany for 80 bucks at a tire shop and about 125 at a dealership.
Those bushing take exactly 1 hour to replace, and you really don't need any special tools to do so, just a bit of elbow grease to push them back on. But if you do it yourself, I like this set of tools. Then if you have to do it again, you have the tools.
Darin
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M-Flight Member
Member
Alignment costs for all 4 corners range from $100 with a 6 month guarantee at Sears to $250 at the dealership.
Alpine 318ic FTMFW!
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Thanks for the info guys, after looking at the parts for sale online, I was wondering why the labor would be so much. I'll be ordering the parts online and getting someone else to put them on. I guess I'll steer clear of that shop in the future. Thanks again; Howard
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Already pressed in:
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...6-31126757623l
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...-31126757623my
Find a local bmw nut and throw him a 6 pack or 2 for the job.
Member
I followed this video when I changed both control arms, very easy to you yourself. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cZ5...SOoJg&index=10
Member
The mech isn’t very good. An easy way to remove the bushing is to remove the 2 bolts that hold the bushing carrier to the chassis. Then, place a large open end wrench (I have a 36mm) on the shaft in front of the bushing. Hit the wench with a mallet or large hammer. Typically takes 2 or 3 whacks to get the bushing and bracket off.Originally Posted by nuby
the metal plate the mech removed is not a skid plate. It’s a chassis re-enforcement panel. It’s a critical component of the chassis. The 16mm bolts ARE SINGLE USE BOLTS. That is, they must be replaced with new bolts when reinstalling the plate. Why? The bolts, when torqued and turned, are stretched. They do not return to their “new” dimensions. Yes, they are expensive (~$3 each), but reusing then can compromise the chassis.
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