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'02 330i Sport Lower Front Arms Issue

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All,

I had new front springs and front lower wishbones fitted in January 2019. I recently noticed a rattle at the front, and when I took it for MOT today, I asked the inspector to check. He immediately found the front inner ball joints on the wishbones were knackered. I had a look underneath too, and initially thought the nuts were loose, but sure enough it's the inner joints themselves that are completedy shagged. After 9000 miles. Surely that can't be right?

I sopke to the garage that fitted them (who I trust to do a good job), and they said bring it in on monday to have a look, but since it's over 12 months since they were fitted, they are no longer under warranty.

I do remember there was an issue finding the correct wishhbones, becasue they are for an Sport version. Strangely, I had no problem finding a selection of makes from Euro Spares just now, and I also previously replaced the originals myself with no supply issues back in 2012 when I first got the car.

Any comments/advice on spec of the Sport wishbones, or how long they should last?

Thanks.

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Driven normally on normal roads, they should last 100k+ miles. Mine have 130k miles on them.

If you weren't using BMW parts, maybe it's worth trying them out. The official dealer will be able to guarantee to supply you with the right parts with perfect fitment. I would consider BMW parts more heavy duty than the after market parts even if the latter are from OEM's.

Edited by E46Driver330Ci
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What brand did you fit?

My OEM BMW ones are on 150k - still rock solid.

Meyle HD control arms have a 5yr warranty and interchangeable ball joints. They're the only ones i'd consider fitting.

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Thanks guys - I'm not sure what make they are. I'll ask.

Anyone happen to know what OEM wishbones cost? I'm guessing it's a hell of a lot.

And how about spec differences for a Sport version?

Cheers.

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Never tried them. Feel free to report back your experience: https://shop.bmw.co.uk/INTERSHOP/web/WFS/BMWUK-21972-Site/en_GB/-/GBP/ViewStandardCatalog-Browse?CatalogID=Teile_Welt-UK&CategoryDomainName=BMW-Teile_Welt-UK&CategoryName=StructureGroup_2170702732753069

If you have the part number, things may or may not be cheaper here after adding in the shipping: https://www.lllparts.co.uk/en/

To save on shipping, you can just call up your local official BMW dealer, then order and collect. Easiest if you know the part number. Alternatively, they will be able to find the parts for you once they have your car details. There is only one type of control arm for your car.

If BMW's own parts site is slow, you can browse for part numbers here: https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/select

Lastly, if there is something wrong with your car or because of bad installation, even with BMW parts, things will still break. So, it all depends on why your control arms are keep breaking.

Edited by E46Driver330Ci
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If you asked your garage to supply and fit them then 9/10 they would've just fit the cheapest ones available. I believe Febi are OEM manufacturers but there's others available too.

Generally speaking the sport arms are a little "beefier" than the SE arms if you want to buy OEM/BMW parts..

Meyle HD ones though are beefier than sport arms so suitable for all E46's except M3 I believe.

Over the years there's really only ever been one recommendation on this forum for the arms - Meyle HD.

https://smile.amazon.co.uk/CONTROL-ARMS-WBONE-MEYLE-HD/dp/B0068MGN6O/ - £200 for the entire set on Amazon.

Edited by momo
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Thanks both. It looks like repair kits only are available from BMW, and that ball joint isn't replacable.

I'll take it in on Monday, see what he says, but I think I'll get some of the £200 off Amazon and do it myself again.

Will it need re-tracking?

Do you guys always replace the steel undertray/brace screws as recommended by the manual?

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The install instruction requires the bolts to be stretched I think. So, if you want proper install designed for 155 mph autobahn driving, then replace. For 20 mph London driving, you can probably get away with no bolts at all - my speculation :). It all depends on your preference and risk aversion level. Ebay bolts are much cheaper. But the quality and grade-authenticity of those can't really be assured - they are new, however, and good enough for non-critical applications. Internet searching the bmw bolt numbers usually reveals their size and grade.

You will know if it needs tracking when it starts to drive funny, and the steering wheel jerks in a way you don't like. Proper installation for the lollipops should be followed or they will expire very quickly.

Edited by E46Driver330Ci
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Getting the measurement right is critical. Here's for the Ci: https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e46-330ci-cou/repair-manuals/31-front-axle-front-suspension/31-12-wishbones-struts-including-rubber-mounts/2Xfee7L

Find similar section for your car.

A large F-clamp or a ratcheting strap can be used for pressing on the new lollipop. Must press in the center to avoid risking tearing the bush rubber. Use a "cup" of the right size as part of the press will help. I can't remember what I used, maybe a socket or a large washer.

Edited by E46Driver330Ci
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Thanks for the info everyone.

I took the car back to the garage where they were fitted. He confirmed they were indeed very shagged, but since they are now 16 months old, he can't return them to the supplier. I've not driven it at all for the past 3 months, so in effect they've only done  around 9000 miles.

He did say that if I got the suggested Meyle arms off Amazon, he would fit them for free.

So I think since it's not his fault, the offer for free fitment is quite resonable. I was going to fit them myself to save some cash, but not having to crawl under the car and buy a ball joint splitter is a bonus.

So there we go.

Cheers.

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1 hour ago, momo said:

That's very nice of them!

I thought so. I'm going to give him some cash for doing it anyway - I don't think it's right to take stuff for free off small businesses these days. He always does a good job, and has got me out of a couple of sticky situations at short notice if/when I can't be bothered to do jobs on the car myself, or if I've needed an ECU reset after I've replaced some daft bit of engine or whatever.

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Thanks all - the arms are fitted now.

Now for another issue:

I needed a new rear tyre, which I got fitted at the local place. Becasue of the new arms, I asked them to check/adjust the tracking (4 wheel alignment). This was done last at Kwik Fit when the old front arms were fitted only 18 months ago.

So they did the check and said all four wheels were way out. For example, ignoring the front, the rear toe was +0.05 & -0.01 (total +0.04), and they now adjusted it to +0.13 and +0.18 (total +0.31). Nothing changed at the rear apart from the new tyre.

Caster and camber they said they couldn't adjust, but they are all over the place according to the sheet.

So either Kwik Fit or the new place got it wrong. They got the data from a database via the reg. number, but it's listed as just 330i sedan/coupe/touring. Mine is a Sport version, so presumably it'll be different?

When I called back to question it they said that's all the data they had, and that it was a new system that they handn't used much. That really filled me with confidence. They did say they'd correct it if it was wrong.

So does anyone have the definitive data from the manual for Caster, Camber and Toe for an '02 E46 330i Sport please?

I can find nothing definitive online.

Cheers!

 

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Never use Kwik Fit or the likes to do an alignment. Find somewhere local that does "Hunter" alignment (it's an alignment station manufacturer), they should be able to do it. Camber is adjustable to a degree, but not much.

Has it been lowered? That throws out caster, if so I wouldn't worry about that too much. I think toe is done by moving the rear trailing arm? I think there's the same type of eccentric bolt on there as for the camber.

(About 5mins in for Camber adjustment nut).

All-in-all it sounds like this place have no idea how to do this.. So I wouldn't trust them and get it done from a proper Hunter equipped shop.

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37 minutes ago, momo said:

Never use Kwik Fit or the likes to do an alignment. Find somewhere local that does "Hunter" alignment (it's an alignment station manufacturer), they should be able to do it. Camber is adjustable to a degree, but not much.

Has it been lowered? That throws out caster, if so I wouldn't worry about that too much. I think toe is done by moving the rear trailing arm? I think there's the same type of eccentric bolt on there as for the camber.

(About 5mins in for Camber adjustment nut).

All-in-all it sounds like this place have no idea how to do this.. So I wouldn't trust them and get it done from a proper Hunter equipped shop.

Thanks,

As it happens I called the garage this morning that fitted the arms, to ask about settings, He said to go to a setup specialist just down the road from him. I wish I'd have asked him before.

It's just a shame I've now paid for the job to be done wrong - or at least it's highly likely it's wrong, and since they've siad they'll re-do for free I can't really do much about it. Live and learn.

Cheers!

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1 hour ago, McPikie said:

Guys, I needed new arms for my 320d Msport and just ordered some off eBay. Are there actual differences in the Msport bottom arms? I thought it was just the dampers and springs which were different?

I think OEM Sport and SE were different. But if you get MeyleHD ones they fit both (they're beefier/stronger than any OEM arm)

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