Hi, new to the site. I have a 2001 320C1 which recently attracted an advisory note on its last MOT at a BMW main dealer which said " some wear on front lower control arm brackets"

The printed estimate for the replacement parts listed quantity 1 "set of bushes and Br..." and quantity 8 "screws" and a bill of £230 +vat for the work.

Can anyone advise what these are, their location and how easy a diy job it is. I have some basic mechanical skills and do my own routine servicing, brakes etc so would like to do the job myself if possible.

Many thanks for any info received

first off, welcome to the club, secondly, i think gav nows how to sort this? he wont be long :lol:

And I'm here ;-)

I just changed front wishbone, rear bushes.

Not sure if there the prob with your car but ill put a "how to" up when I get to my computer tonight.

Welcome along too.

40 mins to reply gav

tut tut :lol:

I know I know. ....work gets in the way lol

work? :huh:

work? :huh:

Wow, thanks guys for the superfast response. Look forward to seeing the "how to" post. Ommitted to mention the reason for asking is that the car has recently developed a slight, fairly fast steering wheel wobble when slowing down, with or without braking. I've had the car from new and it has only just covered 50K and always been very stable and tight in handling and so was wondering if this could be the cause (have the usual checks like wheel balancing / alignment and front discs which BMW said were within spec).

cheers

sounds like that could be the problem then

Deffo bushes or steering racket.

Ill sort it out when I get to my computer

Firstly is your car doing this?

If so this is what you need...."Front wishbone, Rear Bushes"

Secondly, I cant be arsed to do a wite up so Ive nicked various peoples hard work ;)

• Jack car up and put on axle stands, then remove poo plate from under the engine bay (photo below)

• Remove these 2 bolts (16mm socket)

Then watch this video to give you an idea of what im on about..If your bushes are totaled you wont need a tool to pull them off, just a rubber mallet and some muscle :lol:

• Tap your new ones on with your mallet but they must be 291 +/-1mm from the centre of the balljoint to the metal side of the bush housing,dont push it too far as it wont be easy to get back.

Use some washing up liquid if they are difficult.

59nm for the rear mount Bolts.

Then put everything back together basicaly..EASY

Please ask if you get confused, Ive rushed this im a little busy sorry.

Firstly is your car doing this?

If so this is what you need...."Front wishbone, Rear Bushes"

Secondly, I cant be arsed to do a wite up so Ive nicked various peoples hard work ;)

• Jack car up and put on axle stands, then remove poo plate from under the engine bay (photo below)

• Remove these 2 bolts (16mm socket)

Then watch this video to give you an idea of what im on about..If your bushes are totaled you wont need a tool to pull them off, just a rubber mallet and some muscle :lol:

• Tap your new ones on with your mallet but they must be 291 +/-1mm from the centre of the balljoint to the metal side of the bush housing,dont push it too far as it wont be easy to get back.

Use some washing up liquid if they are difficult.

59nm for the rear mount Bolts.

Then put everything back together basicaly..EASY

Please ask if you get confused, Ive rushed this im a little busy sorry.

Thanks Gav for the very clear info.. Looks pretty straightforward with no specialist tools required so will definitely have a go myself. Cheers.

No problem. If you get stuck give us a shout.

Hi Gav, I've just replaced these bushes on my car and the thread on one of the bolts had been destroyed because who ever replaced them previously (before I bought the car) had kindly cross threaded 1 of the bolts and now its got to go in and be have a helicoil fitted :angry:

If the bolts are knackered,I have used Mulgrips in the past and ahellofalotta strength, works too.

The bushes inside the metal brackets come out and you save quite a bit of cash by reusing the brackets. there is a propa special tool to get these out but a vice/clamp and a big ol' socket works fine.

Watch the wheeler dealers episode with the Capri for some good tips from ol' Ed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdszwORmxgs

Tips:

- Use heat to aid bolt release (Blow torch works lovely)

- Lube, Lube, Lube. WD40/Shock'n'unlock works

- breaker bar. If you don't have one, yam a pole over your rathcet (careful not to break the internal mech though, good luck with that :P )

- Be aware of anyone local who owns an Impact wrench :) Makes 'poo' of the bolts

nice article.tip top instructions