[Quisp]

Got a car and when it arrived was not handling right and made some noises from front end. took it to the dealership for an alignment and to get it checked. They told me that it the front thrust rod/control arm bushings were leaking, the front wheel bearings were bad and that they couldn't do an alignment on it in this condition because it wouldn't stay aligned. $1200 to fix the bushings and bearings. Just got the car and it needs this already.
Would you consider this car driveable like this? If I were to drive it without the repairs wouldn't it do more damage to other front end part and the tires?
What happens if the bearing fails while the car is being driven?

[benjlv]

The bushings and bearing will continue to get worse as you drive the car more. They are wear items and now that they are compromised will wear faster.

The thrust rod bushings are a huge deal as long they are extremely blown out. I have been driving on mine for quite sometime after the fluid has leaked out. I just haven't had time to replace them yet. I have experienced less than desirable tire wear though. If the bushings are really bad the car will wander, pull under braking, and possibly shake under braking.

The wheel bearings again can be driven on, but they will continue to get worse. Driving on them is kind of a risk that they will strand you. I personally have put hundreds of miles on bad wheel bearings and others i know have put close to ten thousand miles on bad bearings. It really depends on how bad the bearings are and how they were damaged. A bad wheel bearing might just make noise and get louder with time. Or it might just get so hot one day that the metal balls inside melt and the assembly seizes up.

my suggestion is to just get both fixed. You will need to fix both issues soon anyways so if you can do it now just get it done.

[Quisp]

Thanks for the info. I am trying to work it out with the seller since that is how the car arrived and it was supposed to be in good condition but to me that doesn't seem like good condition. I cant get it aligned without having ghe work done.

[Volasko]

Wow just buy a M3 front control arm kit and the bearings your self from online. The M3 control arms come with new bushings and ball joints for about 350 for parts. Buy new bearings from F.A.G. (OEM supplier of BMW without the branding and markup) for about 115 a side and get a local shop to put them in. After you will need an alignment but you need that anyways. For the same money you now have a brand new front end and improved handling. Plus the bushings in the M3 arms are not fluid filled and should last longer!

[HP Autosport]

Time for you to upgrade to the M3 front control arm kit!!! It is a HUGE upgrade from the OEM kit. I wouldn't suggest driving a lot on such an issue but who knows how far gone the bushings are.

-Mike

[benjlv]

btw that should read

"The thrust rod bushings aren't a huge deal as long they aren't extremely blown out. "

sorry about that.

good luck getting things sorted out with the PO. A car should never need a alignment throughout its life.... UNLESS parts of the suspension have become worn and no longer hold the original alignment or some part of the suspension has become damaged through collision with something. If things have become worn...then those parts should be replaced and then the car should be aligned.

If you're somewhat handy, you can replace the tension strut arms(with new bushings) and the front wheel bearing your self and save a lot of cash. I would place the difficulty around a brake job....just longer.

[cvc 22349a]

Good to see you here Quisp

Why are you going to the dealer for an alignment and bushing/bearing replacements if it's not under warranty?
Hopefully you've got a good indy/tuner shop in your area that'll do that work for a lot less.
If you're not going to run rft's, I'd either install M3 thrust arms or press Meyle HD bushings in your OE thrust arms.

[Bcastle]

Wondering… stick with oem bearings or solid. OEM ride better?

[Brandoch]

Originally Posted by Bcastle

Wondering… stick with oem bearings or solid. OEM ride better?

Asking a 12 year old thread?

[Bcastle]

Just joined…noticed the dates late