Broken part help

[shane159]

Hi guy's,

Took my drivers side front wheel off yesterday and noticed there's a movable device/thingy broke:bigcry:
Unsure what it is or what it does but it's located under the drivers side wheel arch on the inner wing and connects to the wish bone.

Does anyone know what it is and what it's for and the cost of replacing it?

Thanks.;)

[karbonkid]

Got xenon's? more than likely its your auto level from your technical description.

[shane159]

Got xenon's?


Yes mate

[sfh3l]

This part is the sensor/switch that is supposed to level the lights automatically. For a factory fit xenon set up this levelling is a legislative requirement and you have one of these on one front corner and one back corner to sense the car's attitude.

I think they are about £80. I found that the same part was broken on my wife's E46 325 Sport and ended up getting one for about £20 from the US (used) from eBay. Check www.realoem.com (http://www.realoem.com) to see what other BMW's the part is common for as it will help widen the search a bit.

Easy DIY once you have the part.

Good luck.

[karbonkid]

http://img816.imageshack.us/img816/5337/picture1wj.png (http://img816.imageshack.us/my.php?image=picture1wj.png)

Which part is busted?

Parts List >Here< (http://bmwfans.info/parts/catalog/E46/Coupe/Europe/M3_CSL-S54/RHD/N/browse/front_axle/headlight_vertical_aim_control_sensor/)

[shane159]

Thanks for the help guys, it's the plastic arm thats broke also the bit that holds it on the wishbone is missing too.

I'll keep a eye out for a second hand one now I know what it is.:beer:

[outnumbered]

I took my winter wheels off today & found that I had this same fault. On my car, the plastic lever was fine, but the clip that attaches the connecting rod to the wishbone had snapped. So I took the rod off, cut out the bushing from the bottom, and have currently cable-tied it to the wishbone. I guess I'll replace it in due course with the correct part. I seem to be collecting common faults on my car, so am just waiting for the bloody alternator to go now !

[phoenixcsl]

They are prone to breaking, the metal is very thin and it can rust away, 2 min job to replace once you get a new one.