front off side wishbone

[weyzi]

just took my car into kwik fit for a mot. and they have failed it saying it needs a new off side wishbone. they have put on the mot cert "off side front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint" it been on for a service with bmw about 3 weeks ago and they never picked it up the steer and feel seems same as it always has perfect.

does it sound like they are trying to change it for nothing? they are charging £300 but getting a quote from bmw see what they come back with anyone got an idea on cost?

[Rutkowski]

Did they show you the faulty item?

[weyzi]

Did they show you the faulty item?

he showed me front tyre which he said was wearing on the inner side. i have not had it replaced with them was going to get a quote from bmw and let them have a look at it see what they think.

just seemed abit like they was trying to find faults so i would get repairs done there which i would never do. they quoted me £300 and saying i would be paying alot more at bmw.

[karbonkid]

These are common and do wear, more so if tracking the car and more of an excess to get it changed as you dont want it going! I had N/S fail on last MOT. Cost around £400 from memory. Euro Car parts supply them for £219 Linky (http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/BMW_3+Series_M3_3.2_2003/p/Car-Parts/Suspension-and-Steering/Suspension/Suspension-Arms-and-Joints/?616110415&1&54f663c36a43d160c9c4efdbf4f57f14ae472fcb&SUAR), so could always DIY, not difficult to change.

[weyzi]

These are common and do wear, more so if tracking the car and more of an excess to get it changed as you dont want it going! I had N/S fail on last MOT. Cost around £400 from memory. Euro Car parts supply them for £219 Linky (http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/BMW_3+Series_M3_3.2_2003/p/Car-Parts/Suspension-and-Steering/Suspension/Suspension-Arms-and-Joints/?616110415&1&54f663c36a43d160c9c4efdbf4f57f14ae472fcb&SUAR), so could always DIY, not difficult to change.


cheers mate for info. will take it to bmw to get it replaced dont fancy trying to repair it myself will prob mess it up :hahaha:

[glendog74]

I had my OSF replaced last year under warranty. The wishbone is around £275 from memory for the part. With labour it was over £400. There's a thread on here somewhere.

Remember, you will need a geo/kds check afterwards - something that I wouldn't trust Kwik Fit to do...

[weyzi]

I had my OSF replaced last year under warranty. The wishbone is around £275 from memory for the part. With labour it was over £400. There's a thread on here somewhere.

Remember, you will need a geo/kds check afterwards - something that I wouldn't trust Kwik Fit to do...

i have got bmw warranty taken out will it be covered for a replacement then? would defiantly not trust kwik fit for any repairs, would bmw do the check when they replace it ?

[mattCSLnut]

These are common and do wear, more so if tracking the car and more of an excess to get it changed as you dont want it going! I had N/S fail on last MOT. Cost around £400 from memory. Euro Car parts supply them for £219 Linky (http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/BMW_3+Series_M3_3.2_2003/p/Car-Parts/Suspension-and-Steering/Suspension/Suspension-Arms-and-Joints/?616110415&1&54f663c36a43d160c9c4efdbf4f57f14ae472fcb&SUAR), so could always DIY, not difficult to change.
What were the "tell tale" signs of a worn out lower wish bone on yours KK ?

[karbonkid]

Tbh I didn't feel anything, but when MOT'd there was excess play in the ball joint and needed replacing. I didn't think twice about it getting changed as its crucial to have it tip top when driving enthusiastically on track. Probably change the O/S next season irrespectively.

[mattCSLnut]

Tbh I didn't feel anything, but when MOT'd there was excess play in the ball joint and needed replacing. I didn't think twice about it getting changed as its crucial to have it tip top when driving enthusiastically on track. Probably change the O/S next season irrespectively.

I'm thinking of changing mine irrespectively as well, as part of preventative medicine, as mine have done a few miles :whistle:
One of our fellow SG CSL owners on here changes them annually :thumbs:

[sfh3l]

Weyzi
For what it's worth, I replaced the two wishbones on my wife's E46 (non-csl) earlier this year, along with the rear bushes they mount on. It was easy enough on that car and the csl is no different, with the possible exception of a bit less room around the nuts on the top of the inner ball joints.
You'd need a decent bearing separator for the outer ones though, as every BMW I've done this job on they are always real b@ggers to get apart.
Check that the ECP ones are good enough as often their bits can be a bit on the cheap side. If in doubt, use C3 (www.c3bmw.co.uk (http://www.c3bmw.co.uk)) as they supply OEM stuff and are very good.
Good luck though, whichever way you go.

[Bounce]

These are common and do wear, more so if tracking the car and more of an excess to get it changed as you dont want it going! I had N/S fail on last MOT. Cost around £400 from memory. Euro Car parts supply them for £219 Linky (http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/BMW_3+Series_M3_3.2_2003/p/Car-Parts/Suspension-and-Steering/Suspension/Suspension-Arms-and-Joints/?616110415&1&54f663c36a43d160c9c4efdbf4f57f14ae472fcb&SUAR), so could always DIY, not difficult to change.Also the Lemforder ones from Euro car parts are OEM,and a lot cheaper than BMW will charge you.If you look at the ones from ECP you can see where they have had to file the BMW name off them.;)

[s.mac]

Mine failed earlier this year on the same thing. It was at murketts for some bits doing, which they did very well under warranty, then a month later with only the mileage that I had done to get home I took it to the local BMW dealer for the mot, they failed it ! Murketts couldn't believe it. I think the local guys were just trying it on !! Done under warranty which I had to argue about ...

[weyzi]

Mine failed earlier this year on the same thing. It was at murketts for some bits doing, which they did very well under warranty, then a month later with only the mileage that I had done to get home I took it to the local BMW dealer for the mot, they failed it ! Murketts couldn't believe it. I think the local guys were just trying it on !! Done under warranty which I had to argue about ...

£550 bmw have quoted me. seems really steep. do you think i could blag it under warranty then?

[glendog74]

£550 bmw have quoted me. seems really steep. do you think i could blag it under warranty then?

It is a warranty item.

[Bounce]

It is a warranty item.They wouldn't do mine under warranty,classed as wear and tear.Mind you i was over 50k miles,less miles may stand a chance at the right dealer.;)

[glendog74]

They wouldn't do mine under warranty,classed as wear and tear.Mind you i was over 50k miles,less miles may stand a chance at the right dealer.;)

My car was at around 55k miles and they had an 'inkling' that i track it... :whistle:

[s.mac]

£550 bmw have quoted me. seems really steep. do you think i could blag it under warranty then?

yes especially if it was at another dealers not long ago and wasn't spotted. The local dealer said no to me 1st and then I told them to check what had been done under warranty 3 weeks earlier :whistle:
sorry sir it appears it is covered was the reply, mine now fuck off and do it you robbing bastards

well thats what I wanted to say :hahaha:

[weyzi]

took the car to bmw yesturday. verdict on the wishbone issue, they pass the mot for me and said the wishbone doesnt need replacing. said in about 12month time they would change it but kwik fit should not have failed it for that. £35 beer money wasted by kwik fit not having a clue.