Just fudged my driver's side rear control arm....

[Ryans323i]

I know I don't have a ZHP, but I trust you guys can help me.

Just completely fudged up my driver's side rear lower control arm. :crying Details later. What am I in for? :blink

1999 323i sport
Price, Part numbers, yada yada.......

Damnit! :help

Edit:

Ok it now looks like this:
1786

Should look like this:
1784

[danewilson77]

It depends on the details of what you did.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[SureShot434]

I kno its not an affiliate of the site but they r on sale for $39


http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/details/QQBMWQQ323iQQReplacementQQControl_ArmQQ19982006QQR EPB285501.html

[Ryans323i]

I was testing my new 20mm spacers. I only have the spacers, not the bolts. So I was holding the tire on while the BF jacked the suspension up to see if it would rub. He used the rear control arm as a jacking point. (The car was already in the air and on jack stands, we didn't think the arm would bend.)

[Hornung418]

Those arms bend all the time. If you have the opportunity to get adjustable LCAs, do it now! Lucy is begging for some Rear Camber ;)

[Ryans323i]

Awww you remember my car's name, that actually makes me feel a little better. I don't think camber is in her near future right, especially since the parts are ~$50. That also makes me feel better.

[mimalmo]

Yeah, those are cheap Ryan. They're designed to bend easily so if you hit a curb, the CA bends instead of destroying a wheel, a hub, subframe, axle......

[Ryans323i]

Thanks for the quick info everyone. Glad I didn't screw up something really expensive!

[billschusteriv]

I know I don't have a ZHP, but I trust you guys can help me.

Just completely fudged up my driver's side rear lower control arm. :crying Details later. What am I in for? :blink

1999 323i sport
Price, Part numbers, yada yada.......

Damnit! :help


Sorry for the delayed response.

The rear lower control arm?

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=AM33&mospid=47718&btnr=33_0840&hg=33&fg=30

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/q/b/17.png

Looks and sounds like P/N 5.

05 LOWER WISHBONE 2 33326770813 $130.33


Our affiliate, AutohausAZ, carries one (under a different part number) for around $40. Pelican Parts has two other brands at $45 and $52. getbmwparts.com (Tischer) carries OE for $102.

Other option is to find a local pick and pull.

[M0nk3y]

Those arms bend all the time. If you have the opportunity to get adjustable LCAs, do it now! Lucy is begging for some Rear Camber ;)

Yep.

When I had my E46, I took the car into get alignment at BMW (they had a special or something at the time). They didn't properly spec the bolt on the arm and it snapped in half...the whole control arm SNAPPED.

I bent the left one once as well randomly. Just happened :(

And it's #5

[Ryans323i]

Awesomeness. Thanks guys.

[Ryans323i]

Dumb question: What's the drive-ability with this?

[mimalmo]

Depends on the bend. A short drive around the block will help you know. I wouldn't drive highway speeds like that though. A quick run to the local grocery store or gas station is probably OK but I would keep it under 30-35 mph.

[Ryans323i]

Yeah kinda figured. Thanks. She'll be staying the garage till I get her fixed.

[Oli77]

Good luck with the DIY.
Take some pics and show us the process.

[Ryans323i]

Finally got this fixed. The bf did it for me so I wasn't there for the process.

He followed this DIY: E46Fanatics DIY (http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=572194)

My new wishbone.
http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm142/aprilsmom04/NewRearFork.jpg

Important notes:

-Ordered the new lower wishbone (OE) from Auto Parts Warehouse (as advised by SureShot) for ~$40, from BMW it's $120. It came complete with the upper bushing installed, which was not specified when I bought it. Even better news.

- During the fix, my bf had to cut the old bolt off holding the upper end w/ bushing. The bolt is too long and hits the differential on it's way out. You must order the new, shorter bolt from BMW before you can put the new Wishbone back one. Hex Bolt Part Number 331 710 908 24.

-You will have to get an alignment after this fix.

[danewilson77]

Finally got this fixed. The bf did it for me so I wasn't there for the process.

He followed this DIY: E46Fanatics DIY (http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=572194)

My new wishbone.
http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm142/aprilsmom04/NewRearFork.jpg

Important notes:

-Ordered the new lower wishbone (OE) from Auto Parts Warehouse (as advised by SureShot) for ~$40, from BMW it's $120. It came complete with the upper bushing installed, which was not specified when I bought it. Even better news.

- During the fix, my bf had to cut the old bolt off holding the upper end w/ bushing. The bolt is too long and hits the differential on it's way out. You must order the new, shorter bolt from BMW before you can put the new Wishbone back one. Hex Bolt Part Number 331 710 908 24.

-You will have to get an alignment after this fix.

Great news Ryan. Thanks for the feedback.