Question re replacing control arms

[edd91]

Hi,

I have a 1998 323i - I took to a mechanic to have the front control arms replaced. When it was returned to me, it was obvious the car was very high and wheels would get stuck on end of range turns.

I took it to another mechanic who happened to inspect the car a week prior, who said that the shock absorbers were incorrectly installed (too high up in the clamp). Now, he also says they were not like this when he looked at it a week before.

The steering definitely wasn't a problem before having the control arms replaced. I spoke to the mechanic who replaced the control arms he says "1000%" they did not touch the shock absorbers. He says perhaps the control arms he used are a slightly different shape and combined with the shocks problem it's causing the steering problems.

I personally don't believe the mechanic who replaced the control arms, however I've watched videos of the procedure and it does not seem to require changing the shock absorbers.

Does anyone have any thoughts about how this might have come about? My two theories are: 1) His shop assistant did unclamp the shocks and reclamp them and didn't tell the boss; 2) For some reason unknown to me they changed the shocks. The current ones are Bilsteins which he was at pains to point out, could they have wanted whatever was on there for some reason? I will ask the past owner if he remembers the car having Bilsteins.

Many thanks for your views

[bluptgm3]

A 1998 323 is an E36 or E46?

When it was returned to me, it was obvious the car was very high and wheels would get stuck on end of range turns.

This sounds like an E46 issue, seems like the shocks could be lowered into the spindles and re-clamped.

What do you mean by ‘get stuck’?

Do you have a photo of the Forward Lower Control Arms?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[edd91]

A 1998 323 is an E36 or E46?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hi, it's an E46.

[shogun]

Then add the E46 to your profile, and RHD, automatic yes/no, helps us to help you

My Cars: 1998 BMW 323

[edd91]

Then add the E46 to your profile, and RHD, automatic yes/no, helps us to help you

Thanks for the suggestion I have done this

[shogun]

Moved to E46 forum

[Critter7r]

He may have installed the bushings upside down. Look under the car at the point where the bracket contacts the frame rail. There shouldn't be any space, the flat part of the mounting ear should lay flat on the frame rail. If it looks like the bracket is perched on top of 2 posts, they're on upside down.

[Critter7r]

Any update on this?

[harrier]

Have you checked that the strut is properly seated in the knuckle? There is a notch and slot and you can loosen the bolt, rotate the strut and it should engage the slot and go further into the knuckle

Hi,

I have a 1998 323i - I took to a mechanic to have the front control arms replaced. When it was returned to me, it was obvious the car was very high and wheels would get stuck on end of range turns.

I took it to another mechanic who happened to inspect the car a week prior, who said that the shock absorbers were incorrectly installed (too high up in the clamp). Now, he also says they were not like this when he looked at it a week before.

The steering definitely wasn't a problem before having the control arms replaced. I spoke to the mechanic who replaced the control arms he says "1000%" they did not touch the shock absorbers. He says perhaps the control arms he used are a slightly different shape and combined with the shocks problem it's causing the steering problems.

I personally don't believe the mechanic who replaced the control arms, however I've watched videos of the procedure and it does not seem to require changing the shock absorbers.

Does anyone have any thoughts about how this might have come about? My two theories are: 1) His shop assistant did unclamp the shocks and reclamp them and didn't tell the boss; 2) For some reason unknown to me they changed the shocks. The current ones are Bilsteins which he was at pains to point out, could they have wanted whatever was on there for some reason? I will ask the past owner if he remembers the car having Bilsteins.

Many thanks for your views

[Critter7r]

Have you checked that the strut is properly seated in the knuckle? There is a notch and slot and you can loosen the bolt, rotate the strut and it should engage the slot and go further into the knuckle

If the shop removed the strut from the knuckle to replace control arms, he seriously needs to find a new shop.