Control Arm Bushings Question.

So, I took my E46 to the dealer today to get a NY state inspection. He came out and told me that the car passed, BUT they noticed that the CAB are starting to go. He recommended having them replaced in the near future. he quoted me, $1142(includes alignment). I said, I'll look into it. Any thoughts? Yes, I know the dealer who is trying to bang me with lubing up first? Thanks!

That's pretty steep given you can get the Meyle HD control arm set from BMA for $329.
Do it yourself over a weekend and save the money, it's not that bad to do. The only trick is to not beat the hell out of the outer ball joints but to let the sit overnight with penetrating oil on them.

Originally Posted by TurnersInOz

That's pretty steep given you can get the Meyle HD control arm set from BMA for $329.
Do it yourself over a weekend and save the money, it's not that bad to do. The only trick is to not beat the hell out of the outer ball joints but to let the sit overnight with penetrating oil on them.

+1

they're a bitch to get off.

If it's just the bushings, they are around 80-100 at most places online. The dealer is ripping u off.

Originally Posted by sandman512

So, I took my E46 to the dealer today to get a NY state inspection. He came out and told me that the car passed, BUT they noticed that the CAB are starting to go. He recommended having them replaced in the near future. he quoted me, $1142(includes alignment). I said, I'll look into it. Any thoughts? Yes, I know the dealer who is trying to bang me with lubing up first? Thanks!

Front ? Rear? All? Front cabs are easy. $200 all in. Never had rear ones done so can't comment but $1142 seems extremely high even for cabs all round.

Originally Posted by eneka

+1

they're a bitch to get off.

Why is that? Just hack through the old rubber bushing to get the outer bracket off and then use a bearing puller on what's left. Front cabs at least.

Originally Posted by sandman512

So, I took my E46 to the dealer today to get a NY state inspection. He came out and told me that the car passed, BUT they noticed that the CAB are starting to go. He recommended having them replaced in the near future. he quoted me, $1142(includes alignment). I said, I'll look into it. Any thoughts? Yes, I know the dealer who is trying to bang me with lubing up first? Thanks!

The price is slightly high; however they are probably looking at replacing the entire control arm to include inner and outer ball joints as well as control arm bushings. I just changed out my control arms, bushings, inner ball joints and outer ball joints and i saved a ton of cash but it was a two and a half hour job. You will need a pickle fork and a set of box socket set wrenches. A power pickle fork is a bonus. Additionally have your bushing pressed in prior to delivery. Lastly you will need an alignment. just my two and a half cents worth.

Thanks for the replies guys. Additional info, this is for the front control arm bushings ONLY, he said that if I leave it this way and the control arms go bad, it will be more like $2400. I have a good friend who is an INDY, who will be able to do this. Can someone point me in the right direction where to buy some front CAB. Thanks!

I found these at Turner Motorsports: FCAB

Found these at OEMBIMMERPARTS: OEM

I purchase my new parts at either Partsgeeks.com or Bavauto.com...

I saw the ones at Bavauto, more expensive then the others.

How many miles on the odometer...

DUDE!!!!! Take a look at this



Forget all the commentary and focus on:

How long it takes to get the old cabs off (about 10 minutes including the bolts)
and how long it takes to put the new cabs on (about another 10 minutes including the bolts).

(You can buy the fcabs complete. Cheaper than paying someone to piss about on a bench cleaning the old ones up)

Add another 10 minutes for chit chat and banter and you have half an hour.

If you want to pay someone $1000 for that then go ahead.

You DO NOT need an alignment by default. Once the cabs are on then go back and have it done if the steering is wobbling or pulling to one side.
But you don't necessarilly need it doing. In any event a wheel alignment doesn't cost a grand either.

Get a quote for the fcabs only.

Z child--- 42,xxx
Ray--- I saw that video, my INDY friend will be doing it(he has the lift, tools), at this point, just trying to figure out where to buy them.

EDIT: After watching the video and being that I need to REPLACE the CAB, how the stealer came up with $1142 boggles my mind. Thanks!

My recommendation is the same as the video, make sure your ball joints are in good shape as well... If you have OEM control arms I would strongly suggest replacing both ball joints and control arm bushings. Just my two and a half cents worth...

Thanks Z, much appreciated. The service guy actually said to my surprise, everything looks great, just the FCAB. I'm going to order from OEM BIMMERPARTS. Thanks!

Ive got 87k on my M3 and just replaced the FCABs with some vollig polly ones for $87. It was easy as hell to do. But idk if you mean all the bushings or just one set are going bad

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Bimmer App

Originally Posted by Eisenheim

Ive got 87k on my M3 and just replaced the FCABs with some vollig polly ones for $87. It was easy as hell to do. But idk if you mean all the bushings or just one set are going bad

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Bimmer App

With the poly ones have you noticed any squeaking? I need to replace all my bushings but I'm afraid to go to poly from rubber

Originally Posted by rjskalet

With the poly ones have you noticed any squeaking? I need to replace all my bushings but I'm afraid to go to poly from rubber

Nope. No squeaking at all.

These are the ones I got. http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-BMW-E46-...0bf6b5&vxp=mtr

Honestly, I was a little skeptical on getting them. But upon receiving and installing the, they seen pretty good actually. No play at all, and no noise.

I'm just going by what the service manager said. He did mention that everything else except the front control arm bushings looked to be in good shape, BUT if I don't replace them I could start ruining other components. I'm ordering up a set tomorrow from www.oembimmerparts.com. Thanks!

Just wanted to update this thread. Just wanted to update this thread, wound up buying the CAB'S from BAVAUTO(got them the next day). Went down to my INDY(who has been a friend for many years). In about 1/2 hours we were done. Boggles my mind how a dealer can justify there prices. Best part, NO CHARGE. Thanks!