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E46 - anyone here ever changed the front wishbones?

Non BMW X-Series related discussion
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X5Sport
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E46 - anyone here ever changed the front wishbones?

Post by X5Sport » Thu Feb 27, 2014 11:08 am

As above and I know a few if you have or have had an E46.

We got a advisory a few years back - the car has been in storage for over two years now - about the lower wishbone bushes.  It looks as if it's a case of changing the complete unit rather than just bushes.  I can get Aoem or aftermarket 'kits' to do it.

If you have done it, was it tricky, or fairly straightforward for someone with a mechanical knowledge?  Any specialist tools?  The BMW parts sites tell you to look at the BMW Repair Manual but that may not be critical.

Richard
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Re: E46 - anyone here ever changed the front wishbones?

Post by graemeX5 » Fri Feb 28, 2014 7:24 am

Hi this link might help re costs via a garage fir the repair

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=1045222

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Re: E46 - anyone here ever changed the front wishbones?

Post by X5Sport » Fri Feb 28, 2014 10:10 am

Found a video on YouTube too which shows it as a simple job once the car is in the air.  Our might just need the rear bushes, but otherwise it's £337 in parts from Eurocarparts and almost the same for the 'Service Line' kit from BMW.

Thanks for the pointer.... :)

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Re: E46 - anyone here ever changed the front wishbones?

Post by stevox5 » Fri Feb 28, 2014 6:34 pm

If it's just the bushes go for genuine parts, I have fitted loads of genuine and lemfroeder ones from Ecp which are oe equivalent and the genuine ones last much longer.
Once the car is jacked up 1/2 hr job to change the bushes without removing the arms.
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Re: E46 - anyone here ever changed the front wishbones?

Post by X5Sport » Fri Feb 28, 2014 7:42 pm

Cheers Steve.  That's exactly what I needed.  :ok: :bow:

I'll be having a chat with my parts contact to see what kind of deal I can get on OE bushes.  It looks pretty straightforward having watched the video on YouTube.

Hopefully I can get the relevant torque settings from the Dealer too.  I'm also hoping it's just the bushes, but .i need to get the car in the air first.  Need to see if there are alternative jacking points to put a trolley under without breaking anything.  Then I can put a set of stands in place and get to work.

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Re: E46 - anyone here ever changed the front wishbones?

Post by ChrisABP » Thu Mar 13, 2014 10:44 am

Fit the Powerflex ones and forget about them as they last forever with a lifetime warranty. Or fit genuine BMW ones and do the same in 3 years time...

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