Need to replace my E46 M3 lower arm

[mat205125]

Replaced front discs and pads on Friday, and it appears that there is a lot of play in one of the front lower suspension arms.

How easy are these to replace on the driveway? Interested to hear from anyone that has replaced on themselves .... Do these fit without adjustment, or would the wheel alignment need adjusting afterwards?

[nottyash]

mat205125 said:

Replaced front discs and pads on Friday, and it appears that there is a lot of play in one of the front lower suspension arms.

How easy are these to replace on the driveway? Interested to hear from anyone that has replaced on themselves .... Do these fit without adjustment, or would the wheel alignment need adjusting afterwards?

Mine failed on MOT, Had no wheel alignment, but had garage fit for me.
Dont be fooled by Genuine BMW parts. They said £317 and you have to change both sides if you buy non genuine. Absolute bks!
I bought from Andrew page for £250, it had BMW part number stamped on and the BMW stamp was ground off.
Just shows that BMW dont make the parts themselves. You cant blame them for trying to make money though.

[Vee]

mat205125 said:

Replaced front discs and pads on Friday, and it appears that there is a lot of play in one of the front lower suspension arms.

How easy are these to replace on the driveway? Interested to hear from anyone that has replaced on themselves .... Do these fit without adjustment, or would the wheel alignment need adjusting afterwards?

I replaced a pair on my 330i saloon supported with axle stands.
Straightforward job, just time consuming getting the nut off the top of the n/s ball joint - there was very little space to move the spanner. Others have used a range of extension bars and done it from the engine bay.
You'll also need a ball joint splitter and heavy mallet.

I'm not technically minded at all but managed without too much trouble. I think it took about 3 hours to do both sides - I was taking my time though.

[mat205125]

Will have to have a look at the accessability of the nut on the ball joint .... Sounds like a job for the swivel head ratchet spanners.

[8Tech]

It is highly unlikely that you need lower arms. The play is 99% of the time in the rear bushes in the lower arms. Only place for failure on the arms is a balljoint and they are pretty robust.
I'll bet you just need bushes and if so I recommend Powerflex, available with and without holders on eBay.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...

8Tech.

[S600VXR]

WHS above - the rear bush goes soft and give alot of perceived play in the steering. You can actually remove the rear bush without taking the arm off but you need to give it some thought before piling in. I know I as I replaced mine 3 times and the last time I did it witout removing the arms. BTW, long extension bar(s) are needed to reach the large nut if you want to take the arm off, not difficult just time consuming and it cant be rushed.

[S600VXR]

WHS above - the rear bush goes soft and give alot of perceived play in the steering. You can actually remove the rear bush without taking the arm off but you need to give it some thought before piling in. I know I as I replaced mine 3 times and the last time I did it witout removing the arms. BTW, long extension bar(s) are needed to reach the large nut if you want to take the arm off, not difficult just time consuming and it cant be rushed.