View Full Version : to thrust or not to thrust [arms]
I was told by BMW Irvine "REC THRUST ROD BUSHING REPLACEMENT" @ about 675$ and 5 hrs of work,.
I checked with a bMW authorized local indy shop, and was told:
"your model of car doesn't have thrust rod bushings - it has control arm bushings. But there is really only one bushing on the front of the car that you replace." and
"Bushings are the same on all non-M E46's. Labor is $180 and the parts with mounting brackets are $177. Takes about an hour and a half."
Im not a mechanic, not mechanically inclined. I am at a loss at to why BMW is telling me i have a part that supposedly does not exist, and why their rates for this part. installation are SO far over and indy shop.
any help, IN LAYMANS TERMS. would be GREATLY appreciated. :dunno
BCS_ZHP
10-16-2012, 12:11 PM
The Indy shop is correct, in fact his labor estimate is very reasonable and he's just charging you full retail for the FCABs. Believe the dealer must have confused your E46 with a car that has two thrust arms which do the same function as one e46 control arm. My old e39 had thrust arms, the lower front thrust arm with bushing cost $250 and the upper front thrust arm with bushing cost about $200, and if I recall correctly the labor estimate was 4-5 hours to replace both.
GSEN820
10-16-2012, 12:39 PM
feel free to PM me or Das Boots . I have a guy in Oceanside who will save you a ton of money and teach you all about your car at the same time.
danewilson77
10-16-2012, 01:42 PM
Whatever indy told you there was only one bushing on front of car, is suffering from head in ass syndrome.
Sent from Williamsburg, VA USA
webster
10-16-2012, 01:56 PM
Whatever indy told you there was only one bushing on front of car, is suffering from head in ass syndrome.
Sent from Williamsburg, VA USA
i think he meant one type of bushing, not one bushing only.
danewilson77
10-16-2012, 02:12 PM
i think he meant one type of bushing, not one bushing only.
OK. If he is talking CAB's. Do it yourself. $100.....easy DIY.
danewilson77
10-16-2012, 02:15 PM
Oh...and another thing.....the job will take him 2 hours max (so he's charging you book hours), and they are marking up their parts. Tell him you want these (or Lemforder).
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Maintenance%20and%20Misc/31126757623MY.jpg
http://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-control-arm-bushing-kit-front-e46-heavy-duty-31126757623my
danewilson77
10-16-2012, 02:18 PM
I suppose the $180 in labor isn't too bad though.
BCS_ZHP
10-16-2012, 03:45 PM
Yeah, the Indy told him an hour & a half labor for $180, so I suspect a $120/hr labor rate is good for SoCal. And 90 minutes to do it is about right, even though other guys charge that much labor time per side to replace the FCABs.
Thanx everybody.
I'll continue researching... There even seems to be some debate among members here..... And I have to admit there is enough tech talk hear to confuse those of us who are not knowledgeable in the inner workings of an automobile, especially the coded CAPS terms...
My big question/ fear was that a dealer was telling me I need a part that I didn't/ doesn't exist on my car. I can compare labor and part rates from Indys.... But I'd like to know what I'm comparing, if that makes ay sense. Would the dealer get my car, realize that (maybe) the part doesn't exist... Then charge me for it anyway? I the costs form BMW Irvine a d the Indy shop were close, then I'd say it was just a case of semantics.
I don't know if that's the case.
DIY- I don't have tools or space, so I can't say if it is a DIY or not.
I will follow the suggestion to co tact the place in Oceanside (though just far enough away to. Perhaps cost as much in gas as localized labor?).
At any rate, I appreciate the feedback thus far.
johnrando
10-16-2012, 08:30 PM
Use Gary's guy in Oceanside. He did my suspension.
danewilson77
10-17-2012, 03:32 AM
Didn't see much of a debate among us. The labor is fair. Parts are expensive.
It is an easy DIY. Period. Understand you can't do it, due to limitations.
I would check a few other shops....that seem more competent.
Use Gary's guy in Oceanside. He did my suspension.
I will check him out!
Thanx
Didn't see much of a debate among us. The labor is fair. Parts are expensive.
It is an easy DIY. Period. Understand you can't do it, due to limitations.
I would check a few other shops....that seem more competent.
You had said the Indy didn't know what he was talking about.
Sorry, very confused here... Will look at the Oceanside guy and try to get more quotes here to see what part is actually correct for my car
GSEN820
10-17-2012, 05:44 AM
You have PM
Newjack
10-17-2012, 12:44 PM
Oh...and another thing.....the job will take him 2 hours max (so he's charging you book hours), and they are marking up their parts. Tell him you want these (or Lemforder).
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Maintenance%20and%20Misc/31126757623MY.jpg
http://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-control-arm-bushing-kit-front-e46-heavy-duty-31126757623my
Meyle bushings are good, its the control arms that you want to keep stock ZHP right?
Meyle bushings are good, its the control arms that you want to keep stock ZHP right?
the dealership didn't mention arms... so i assume i want to keep them stock?
That brings up another question... are these "Meyle bushings" better than OEM? if so, in what way?
And, do I need to replace arms ?
danewilson77
10-17-2012, 02:31 PM
the dealership didn't mention arms... so i assume i want to keep them stock?
That brings up another question... are these "Meyle bushings" better than OEM? if so, in what way?
And, do I need to replace arms ?
I have no idea if you need to replace them. If you do need to replace, make sure you get ZHP arms.
Not trying to rattle your jimmies, but I'm a little disappointed. You took your car to a shop, and they recommended replacing some stuff...but did you have them show you the wear items?
In the future...don't let them "tell" you, make them "show" you.
Sent from Williamsburg, VA USA
BCS_ZHP
10-17-2012, 02:45 PM
So looking at an E9x suspension diagram today, it does have upper & lower (fore & aft) thrust arms with replaceable bushings in the front suspension vice a control arm and front control arm bushing (FCAB) like our e46's. I suspect when you were at the dealer, the mechanic said something like the car needs front suspension bushings soon and your numbnuts service writer gave you an estimate for an E9x 3-series car although you were clearly driving an E46. I'd like to give them the benefit of the doubt that they weren't trying to be criminal in their estimate to you but rather were just not paying attention to a minor detail -- like, hey shit4brains service writer pull the estimate on the correct series of car at least -- but you never know.
I have no idea if you need to replace them. If you do need to replace, make sure you get ZHP arms.
Not trying to rattle your jimmies, but I'm a little disappointed. You took your car to a shop, and they recommended replacing some stuff...but did you have them show you the wear items?
In the future...don't let them "tell" you, make them "show" you.
Sent from Williamsburg, VA USA
Jimmies sufficiently rattled
Will ask next time. Car was already off lift, out of bay, and in driveway when I got the "report".
But point taken
So looking at an E9x suspension diagram today, it does have upper & lower (fore & aft) thrust arms with replaceable bushings in the front suspension vice a control arm and front control arm bushing (FCAB) like our e46's. I suspect when you were at the dealer, the mechanic said something like the car needs front suspension bushings soon and your numbnuts service writer gave you an estimate for an E9x 3-series car although you were clearly driving an E46. I'd like to give them the benefit of the doubt that they weren't trying to be criminal in their estimate to you but rather were just not paying attention to a minor detail -- like, hey shit4brains service writer pull the estimate on the correct series of car at least -- but you never know.
True dat.
But I called the service writer after I got the conflicting report form the Indy... And he still holds firm that the quote was good and my car in fact needs that part. ..........
danewilson77
10-17-2012, 04:41 PM
Jimmies sufficiently rattled
Will ask next time. Car was already off lift, out of bay, and in driveway when I got the "report".
But point taken
Ok....sounds good.
Sent from Williamsburg, VA USA
johnrando
10-18-2012, 06:50 AM
So where are we with this? No one knows of this "thrust rod bushing" part on an E46. Front suspension bushings DO go out on these cars so that's likely. No quite as likely but possible that you could need new control arms, but what's your mileage cuz driving on CA roads don't beat our cars up like some other places?
John...
I drive about 30m miles each way freeway commute. only had the car since august.
WOLFN8TR
10-18-2012, 07:25 AM
Call a local Mafia guru for a DIY day. Learning how to work on your car is priceless. I've saved so much coin over the years doing repairs myself, plus you know it's done right. For instance- OFHG replaced by me $10 and the BMW dealer quote was $985!
Too bad I don't live closer to ya, we could knock that out over the weekend. Good luck...
Thanx. My main problem is no tools/space to work... Combine that with little mechanical knowledge.......
I took it by my mechanic (that worked on my 300zx)... He showed me the bushings.... Said they were fine, no leaks he could see, even said they looked like they had been replaced .... Then told me I got what I deserved by going to a dealership ;)
He did say my "oil pan cover panel" ( I think) was missing... No biggie, but he said the car was designed with one for aerodynamics...... So I will pursue trying to locate one of those.
danewilson77
10-18-2012, 04:04 PM
You mean you're missing the little trap door, or the big metal piece (aggregate cover)?
Since its missing, and I've never been under my car before, I can't say for sure. He said "cover"... The place where it should have been was about 7"x7" maybe?
danewilson77
10-18-2012, 04:54 PM
Since its missing, and I've never been under my car before, I can't say for sure. He said "cover"... The place where it should have been was about 7"x7" maybe?
Ahhh...I see. You didn't get him to show it to you!
You said you would....from now on.....you pinky promised!
Sent from Williamsburg, VA USA
Ahhh...I see. You didn't get him to show it to you!
You said you would....from now on.....you pinky promised!
Sent from Williamsburg, VA USA
Actually........ I WAS under the car with him (and this him was NOT the BMW mechanic, this was an Indy)...
He showed me where the piece was missing. All I saw was the opening, sans some cover that I couldn't see ( as it was missing) :)
WOLFN8TR
10-18-2012, 05:31 PM
You mean the one that goes here?
6074
http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/ES127041/
You mean the one that goes here?
6074
Yes... When were you under my car?
WOLFN8TR
10-18-2012, 05:42 PM
Ha Ha...
Oil Drain Plug Access Panel (http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/ES127041/)
BCS_ZHP
10-18-2012, 05:54 PM
BMW used the same belly pan cover throughout the entire E46 production run but they stopped putting that little trap door on we the oil pan drain plug area in 2001/2002. So it was not supposed to be there but you can buy one if you reference a model year 2000 engine belly pan diagram.
BMW used the same belly pan cover throughout the entire E46 production run but they stopped putting that little trap door on we the oil pan drain plug area in 2001/2002. So it was not supposed to be there but you can buy one if you reference a model year 2000 engine belly pan diagram.
Great info. Can't imagine BMW leaving such an "unfinished" scenario, even under the car
WOLFN8TR
10-22-2012, 05:53 AM
Just put mine on from ECS while doing my oil change.
danewilson77
10-22-2012, 05:57 AM
Perfection.
SoCalZman
10-22-2012, 01:31 PM
I want it! I wonder if ECS or someone sells them too.
danewilson77
10-22-2012, 01:33 PM
I want it! I wonder if ECS or someone sells them too.
That's where Wolfy got his.
Sent from Williamsburg, VA USA
WOLFN8TR
10-23-2012, 06:07 AM
I want it! I wonder if ECS or someone sells them too.
Click on the link in post #33. Just under Ha Ha.
SoCalZman
10-23-2012, 09:02 AM
Awesome. cheap too. thanks!
AZBP2
03-27-2020, 02:39 PM
Awesome. cheap too. thanks!
Glad I came on today. So on my 2005 E46 ZHP, there is no need to Replace thrust arm bushing?
Took it to Advantage BMW and was told they needed to replace these...
05 ZHP Coupe
Black & Gray
77k
Go Stros!
AZBP2
03-27-2020, 02:55 PM
Just recently had the control arm and control arm bushings replaced, while replacing shocks.
05 ZHP Coupe
Black & Gray
84k
Hope y’all (and your families) are safe and well.
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