Fed up of broken lower arm bushes!!!!

[Insured By Mafia]

Dear Folks,

Have anyone experienced broken lower arm bushes multiple times.
I've had this for the 4th time now in 2years, n to be honest im really fed up of this.
For all the 4 replacement, parts were bought from BA.

1st time,
Symptoms
I used to have freeplay, and i found lower arm bushes were the culprit.
Parts replaced.
-a set of lower arm bush
-a set of front wheel bearing hubs
Result
Though the replacement didn't completely eliminate the freeplay i had, I cud still live with it.

2nd time,
Symptoms
Found bushes broken during my routine service.
I've read it somewhere oil leaks from engine bay may damage the bushes.
I'd agree to it as this 2nd time was due to oil leak..the bushes were wet of engine oil
Parts replaced.
-full overhaul
-the whole set of lower arm with bushes
-a set of tie rods
Result
All leaks fixed..0% oil leaks..better driving sensation.

3rd time
Symptoms
Freeplay became worse with "thud thud" noise from the steering. front wheels were wobbly.
Found the lower arm bushes are broken again.
Parts replaced.
-a set of the whole assembly of bush with brackets,
-swivel joint
-lower joint assembly
Result
Again, these replacements didn't completely eliminate the freeplay i had.
​Couldn't afford anymore parts replacement due to financial constraint.
But it was way better feeling of steady and firm steering den before.


This time, had extra savings. Decided to completely fix the freeplay.
Only to find out the bushes are broken againnnnnnn!!!!!!!!!!
The wheel bearing hubs are loose too.


Can someone explain what would probably cause this multiple damn experince i've had.?

 

[sharizat]

i have in my e46, my lower arms keep on giving way and i just replaced it 8 months ago. One of the factor is due to road contruction MRT esp as u use the road everyday and the place where i live, worse. Im finding out a way to get a much more thicker bushes for the front and back or any after market bush that is good and last long. Any recommendation friends? Im pretty fedup also

 

[tweiboon]

can u whatsapp me your hp and ur fb email ?

 

[2 B Driver]

Dear Folks,

Have anyone experienced broken lower arm bushes multiple times.
I've had this for the 4th time now in 2years, n to be honest im really fed up of this.
For all the 4 replacement, parts were bought from BA.

1st time,
Symptoms
I used to have freeplay, and i found lower arm bushes were the culprit.
Parts replaced.
-a set of lower arm bush
-a set of front wheel bearing hubs
Result
Though the replacement didn't completely eliminate the freeplay i had, I cud still live with it.

2nd time,
Symptoms
Found bushes broken during my routine service.
I've read it somewhere oil leaks from engine bay may damage the bushes.
I'd agree to it as this 2nd time was due to oil leak..the bushes were wet of engine oil
Parts replaced.
-full overhaul
-the whole set of lower arm with bushes
-a set of tie rods
Result
All leaks fixed..0% oil leaks..better driving sensation.

3rd time
Symptoms
Freeplay became worse with "thud thud" noise from the steering. front wheels were wobbly.
Found the lower arm bushes are broken again.
Parts replaced.
-a set of the whole assembly of bush with brackets,
-swivel joint
-lower joint assembly
Result
Again, these replacements didn't completely eliminate the freeplay i had.
​Couldn't afford anymore parts replacement due to financial constraint.
But it was way better feeling of steady and firm steering den before.


This time, had extra savings. Decided to completely fix the freeplay.
Only to find out the bushes are broken againnnnnnn!!!!!!!!!!
The wheel bearing hubs are loose too.


Can someone explain what would probably cause this multiple damn experince i've had.?

Once upon a time, I changed to new Rim 18' X 9.5J with thick spacer due to front tyres rubbing inner wall, newly replaced set of wheel bearings and lower arm bush seem never last more than a year, the lower arm and wheel bearing never spoil again since I switch back to 16" X 7J about 3 years ago.
I might be wrong, my guess is heavy rims with heavy traction on slow moving caused excessive stress onto wheel hub assembly components.

 

[gendong]

Bro fongmy has a point there. can bro IBM share his wheel setup? rims/tires/spacer?/etc......

 

[Mavik]

How about aftermarket bushes instead?
http://www.superpro.com.au/?v=bmw-3-e46---1998-2006/999500345

I was looking at these bushes for my E90 and I found that they have them for the E46 as well.

The local distributor is Hokomotor if I am not mistaken, located at Batu Caves there.

 

[sharizat]

supper pro is good.. ive used it in my previous rides, ill ask my mech to check it out

 

[wingzee]

Can try the solid rubber bushes by Munich Auto. Only RM180 per pair instead the original ones which doesn't last as long as cost almost double.

Or another alternative is PU ones (the likes of SuperPro) which cost like RM500 per pair.

Best to check your wheel setup as well while you're at it. I was told before that incorrect setup may put unnecessary stress on the arms and hence the premature wear of the bushes.

 

[Insured By Mafia]

Bro Tweiboon, I'm the one who watzapp u 2 days ago for key replacement..Kumaran ..sorry bro, no fb..deleted dat a few months back for a reason

Sent from my Lenovo A316 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Insured By Mafia]

Bro fongmy, thanks for sharing ur experience ..I had da same impression too about the wheel setup..mine is running on staggered deepdish 18x8 front n 18x9 rear without spacers..I thought diz setup is pretty decend for e46..am I wrong??

Sent from my Lenovo A316 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Insured By Mafia]

Bro gendong, its staggered deepdish 18" 8jj front n 9jj rear..can't recall da offset bro..tyres are 225 40 front n 255 35 rear..

Sent from my Lenovo A316 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Insured By Mafia]

Bro mavik, thanks for da recommendation bro..unfortunately, replacement is done..I shall give it a try next time around..

Sent from my Lenovo A316 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Insured By Mafia]

Bro wingzee, yea I think I've checked that out in Munich a few months back..the guy there told me he sells only da rubber bushes without da brackets..he adviced me just change da rubber instead of da whole piece with bracket..too bad most of da workshops I've been prefers replacing the whole piece..maybe dat makes their job easier..so I ended up buying da whole piece from BA..

anyway, since im prepared to solve da issue once for all no matter how much its gona cost me, I've asked my mech now to do a root cause analysis before replacing whatever necessary..I think he have found the culprit..will share wat has been done this time once da car is out from da garage bro..cheers..

Sent from my Lenovo A316 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Mel279]

get the Meyle HD brand, very good stuff. I would advise to go with the car spec wheel size which 17" is the maximum and the original bmw wheel are lightweight and less stress to the lowerarm bracket bushing. The best way to check whether you're not broken the bushses again, change the wheel to either 16" or 17" bmw oem wheel. And let see how it goes in 1 year with the bushing replaced.

 

[Insured By Mafia]

Bro Mel279, thanks for ur suggestion...well, thanks to my wife..it was on 17" setup initially..till my wife ran over a sharp steel object on highway otw bek north..actually 17" bmw rims are hard to come by in shops nowadays..

Sent from my Lenovo A316 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Insured By Mafia]

Folks, here is the update;

During the root cause analysis, 2 major things were discovered.
1) lower front subframe missing. (item 3)
- I've been visiting numerous workshops over the years, but nobody have alerted me that the subframe is missing. God knows how all the mechanics missed.

2) cross member bar (the place where lower arm sits) badly dented. Sorry no images of the dent.
- Believe this is the culprit which have been excessively stressing my bushes.
- Again, although this is not the 1st time my lower arms were dismantled, none of the mechanics realized the crucial dent.
Special thanks to Vincent Tay (Exotic Automobile) for pointing these out. Very observant guy..!!

Parts replaced;
1) tie rod assembly
2) lower arm bush
3) front right wheel bearing
4) front cross member bar
5)lower front subframe.

Hope this solves my broken lower arm bushes issue.!!

While checking on the steering freeplay issue, steering column found to be not tightly bolted.!!
No other culprit were found apart from this.
Ultimately, my steering freeplay issue remains unsolved.

After all these were done, went to reset allignment. Another issue arose;
Seems that my front right camber is set maximum. cant be adjusted anymore.
went to a few shops, all gave same feedback.
too obvious the front right wheel tilting inside.
Screen shows camber setting as below;

View attachment 1228


Can any of the experienced guys here advice what can be done to reset my camber and fix steering freeplay?

 

[ghostrider]

Thanks for the update. Very informative.

 

[Insured By Mafia]

Anyone here to rescue me????? :102:

 

[wingzee]

Folks, here is the update;

During the root cause analysis, 2 major things were discovered.
1) lower front subframe missing. (item 3)
- I've been visiting numerous workshops over the years, but nobody have alerted me that the subframe is missing. God knows how all the mechanics missed.

2) cross member bar (the place where lower arm sits) badly dented. Sorry no images of the dent.
- Believe this is the culprit which have been excessively stressing my bushes.
- Again, although this is not the 1st time my lower arms were dismantled, none of the mechanics realized the crucial dent.
Special thanks to Vincent Tay (Exotic Automobile) for pointing these out. Very observant guy..!!

Parts replaced;
1) tie rod assembly
2) lower arm bush
3) front right wheel bearing
4) front cross member bar
5)lower front subframe.

Hope this solves my broken lower arm bushes issue.!!

While checking on the steering freeplay issue, steering column found to be not tightly bolted.!!
No other culprit were found apart from this.
Ultimately, my steering freeplay issue remains unsolved.

After all these were done, went to reset allignment. Another issue arose;
Seems that my front right camber is set maximum. cant be adjusted anymore.
went to a few shops, all gave same feedback.
too obvious the front right wheel tilting inside.
Screen shows camber setting as below;

IMG_20140830_123155.jpg


Can any of the experienced guys here advice what can be done to reset my camber and fix steering freeplay?

Can you describe the steering free play? It may be due to the worn out coupling or the steering column shaft.

http://www.bmwclubmalaysia.com/newforums/index.php?/topic/29559-my-sexy-udms/page-15#entry682939

Refer to post #281.

 

[Insured By Mafia]

Bro wingzee,
very useful post dat was..thanks man..
watching the 2nd youtube link on post #287, datz more like the issue i have..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVHQcGrmdW4

i also have the knocking sound similar to 3rd youtube link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lE6_rcjYc9s
i had this temporarily fixed when i was told that the steering column wasnt bolted tightly.
it was gone after it was tightened, but hardly lasted for a week..its back now..

coupling changed during my 3rd visit (refer my 1st post).
So i guess the culprit shud be the steering column.
i do know its a very tedious job.
Any idea how much did that cost u for parts and labour bro?

How about my 2nd issue (camber settings)?
you seem to be very knowledgeable about e46.
Have you experienced this? heard that this is a very common issue on e46 too.
But i didnt come accross anyone posting about this.