cracked lower arm bushings!

[m3f_00poop6x_6dca3456a4]

check engine light came on, timing belt made squeeking noise....sent in to stealer for under warranty repair and they changed the timing belt.



Then they told me there was more, but not related to the belt...but the lower arm bushings and what not around there....it's cracked!!! how the heck?! they want $900+ to repair and not under warranty! How the heck do my lower arm bushings crack?!?! I don't even drive hard and no pot holes anywhere.



What do you guys think? I'm taking my car back and sending it somewhere else to look at it.



what would make more sense is that i did get in a wreck spinning out and hit a curb at 10mph...but the stealer repaired "everything ( rims, wish bone, all the shocks, anything suspension related almost.)" as they say under insurance....and the arm bushings may be related but it would be THEIR fault for not seeing that and replacing it. The wreck was about 10 - 11 months ago.

[m3f_PurpleM3Pursuit]

this is why i need to make sure they get mine fixed completely.. i have no idea what to do though.. i don't think u can force it on anyone and i don't know if its worth ur time to bring up a lawsuit.. how hard is it to fix???

[m3f_WytLytnyn]

You may want to see if TC Kline Racing or UCC Motorwerks makes an improved replacement. It will probably be cheaper or similar in cost and better in quality. I'm sure a German shop will come to an arrangement in terms of labor to put it in after you obtain the replacement part.



I've heard control arm bushings are a pain to get out of the arms...

[m3f_M3 Imola GT]

How do the bushings crack? there rubber. Theyre easy to get out using a drill and a hack saw blade! Whats more likely is the trailing arm needs replacing. If this had been replaced when repaired under the insurance, the new trailing arm would come with the bush pre installed (thats how they are sold). So somthing is wrong there, is the dealer reliable??

[m3f_00poop6x_6dca3456a4]

I don't think any stealer is reliable, they just want money the easy way....but if these bushings aren't under my warranty then I'm gong to bring it to a shop I know. I have had too many problems with the stealer. Thanks for the info guys!



I'm taking my car to an import(strictyly euro) place today, if they are cheaper might as well replace these things with performance ones from UUC or wherever. What do you guys think? Do I even need to change these things?



I called the stealer and now they said that they told me that the bushings are worn, not cracked....I KNOW THEY TOLD ME CRACKED! Now they said worn, cause I KNOW this has to be related to the accident. Darn them! I spent 3 hours arguing that they told me cracked, that's what made my heart sink when I heard them say that....I wouldn't feel that depressed if they told me worn in the first place.

[m3f_Moriarty]

Somehow I think that you're mistaken. First, your car doesn't have a timing belt, it has a chain, and I've never seen one replaced. Second, the bushings can crack, rubber gets hard over time and it splits, though $900 seems excessive for that repair. I would think it would be closer to $400. Perhaps they meant that they were going to replace both front control arms and bushings, that would be closer to the $900 charge.



Side note, please stop calling the dealer "the stealer". Its unfortunate that some shops and dealers are corrupt, but they are the exception not the rule. All of the dealers in my area are very good w/ only a few corrupt techs here and there. BTW, the medical field charges a hell of a lot more for their goods/ services than mechanic do, but I don't see you guys calling doctors "the stealer".



Also, most independents are not the way to go. BMW dealerships have the tools, equipment, knowledge, and experience to fix your car correctly, most independents do not. I've seen more ****** up cars come to me from independents than the other way around.

[m3f_00poop6x_6dca3456a4]

Originally posted by Moriarty

Somehow I think that you're mistaken. First, your car doesn't have a timing belt, it has a chain, and I've never seen one replaced. Second, the bushings can crack, rubber gets hard over time and it splits, though $900 seems excessive for that repair. I would think it would be closer to $400. Perhaps they meant that they were going to replace both front control arms and bushings, that would be closer to the $900 charge.



Side note, please stop calling the dealer "the stealer". Its unfortunate that some shops and dealers are corrupt, but they are the exception not the rule. All of the dealers in my area are very good w/ only a few corrupt techs here and there. BTW, the medical field charges a hell of a lot more for their goods/ services than mechanic do, but I don't see you guys calling doctors "the stealer".



Also, most independents are not the way to go. BMW dealerships have the tools, equipment, knowledge, and experience to fix your car correctly, most independents do not. I've seen more ****** up cars come to me from independents than the other way around.



I don't call all dealers "stealers". Just this one, I know the bushings are rubber and rubber can harden. The "how do the bushings crack?" question was a rhetorical one. The things is, they replaced my front lower control arms less than a year ago, which come with new bushings. That's why I ask how they crack if they're new.



And don't tell me what the timing chain is, tell the BMW dealership, they told me all this. They already told me they replaced it.



The mechanics are great, I know them and go to car meets with them, I also know all the parts department people. It's just those what you call thems that work under the advisor.



I enjoy going to the Lexus dealership a lot more than the BMW one, they are much nicer and do more than they live up to. I only wish Lexus would be able to work on my car or BMW would give me the same honesty and service as Lexus. Unlike my dealership.



This is a new dealership BTW, I live 1hr from downtown and that was where I sent my car, much better than here.



I'm sorry if I offended you but this is not the first time I had a situation like this with this particular dealer. Even my friend who is a mechanic there told me if I wanted things done to my car, bring it to him if he ever has time. The dealer charges way too much and replace the whole assembly if only small piece is bad.



If only all dealers were like your's.

[m3f_00poop6x_6dca3456a4]

Checked the bushings myself with my mechanic friend, perfect....not cracked but worn down. Two front tires just need alignment and newer ones. The stealer....



Anyone know if there are performance bushings? And where I can get them? UUC or AA or somewhere