Re: Suspension (archive)

1) Yes this is the front control arm. You can replace just the ball joint but it is cheaper and easier to replace the whole arm. I bought some a year ago for my 325 and paid 69.00 for the whole arm. There are 2 joints on it and getting someone to press them in correctly will cost way more than that. You also need to replace the control arm bushing, these wear out way too quick, there is a pair on ebay now for 22.00 you will have to have these pressed in but should only be 5-10 for labor.
2)I've never heard of anyone wearing out/breaking a roll bar, but I guess it is possible. They do have replacable ends that wear and also the bushings can wear but you generally dont need to get a new bar. The control arms do come with the ball joints.
3)I think it is a do it yourself project altough the last one I did, I had 1 nut that wouldnt come off and had to loosen the whole front subframe, drop it 2 "s and cut it off(I didnt cut the subframe, I cut the bolt). You are only talking about 10 bolts for both sides but an impact wrench and a couple of 12" extensions and swivels are needed. Also look at the steering rack for wear at the joints while it is apart. Good luck

OK, this pertains to my e30 1985 318i, but I know you suspension gurus would know this....
I went to Midas today because I knew I either had a worn or broken shock in the rear...Midas was only place open and I just wanted an estimate. Well, turns out I have $1200 of stuff to be fixed....including a sway bar and 2 ball joints...the sway bar is $300 and the 2 ball joints are $526. I know places sell the ball joints themselves for $20 each..but the guy said the ball joint couldnt be replaced by itself...it was part of an arm and the whole arm had to be replaced...ok 3 questions...
1-What arm is this?! Do control arms have ball joints? This is on my front. If control arms have ball joints and I buy one from BavAuto...will the ball joint already be on there??
2-I can get a used sway bar for $65....A M3 one at that...is a sway bar a wise part to get used or no? I dont need the sway bar to last hundreds of thousands of miles...as Im selling car soon anyways..so it needs to be able to do the job until the car goes out completely...it has 235,000 miles...but still runs like new. The guy said the car really shouldnt be driven now because the ball joint can fall off at any time and I could veer into a tree (making it think this is a control arm hes talking about...$60.00 on Ebay for a pair instead of $525.00)
3-Tie rods, sway bars, control arms...is this a job for a mechanic or a do it yourself'er, thanks so much!!

Follow Ups:

[ Follow Ups ] [ 5-series (E34) Message Board ] [ Msg. Board FAQ ]

Questions, comments, or problems, please visit the Roadfly help desk.