Broken Rear Axle - BMW Forum

drz · 01-02-2005, 01:28 PM

I was backing out of my parking spot today when I felt like I'd hit a bump. I tried giving it gas but that wouldn't work. I checked my parking brake to make sure it wasn't engaged, and noticed it was uncharacteristically tight for being all the way down. I decided to turn the car of and put it in gear to check what was wrong. My rear driver side wheel was stiking out like a mofo, all angled out and what not. I check underneath and -- there it is, my rear axle broke. The weird thing is that I've done nothing to it to merit that. ANyway, just venting. Please, if you have any idea how much this will cost to get fixed, let me know. Thanks.

Delmarco · 01-02-2005, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by drz328i@Jan 2 2005, 01:28 PM
Please, if you have any idea how much this will cost to get fixed, let me know. Thanks.

[snapback]262638[/snapback]

four letters......

A-L-O-T!

calll yuor insurance maybe they can pay for the repairs....if you get real creative with how the axel broke....

drz · 01-03-2005, 12:14 AM

Alright, so it wasn't the axle. WHat broke is some kind of a support brace for the axle. The only reason I got it wrong the first time is that when I told a friend that "the thing that attaches to the wheel" broke (I only said it like that because English is not my first language) , she said, "The axle?" So I figured that was the Engish for for it. Getting under the car I figured it wasn't it. Here is a picture (not my car) where I have highlighted what broke on my car. Any input (even sympathy notes) is welcome. I'll keep you all updated on the progress. I just thank God I wasn't going 90 on the highway or in the middle of traffic somewhere, or far away. I was pulling out of my parking spot

Righ in front of my apartment. Plus, I won't even have to miss work -- I still have my 1993 Mitsubishi Mirage (insured even). I'll make those four cylinders work for me some more. Hopefully I won't have to ride in it for very long. I kind of got used to the power steering (hehe -- and just about everything else my 328 gives me).

drz · 01-03-2005, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Delmarco+Jan 2 2005, 03:39 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Delmarco @ Jan 2 2005, 03:39 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-drz328i@Jan 2 2005, 01:28 PM
Please, if you have any idea how much this will cost to get fixed, let me know. Thanks.

[snapback]262638[/snapback]

four letters......

A-L-O-T!

calll yuor insurance maybe they can pay for the repairs....if you get real creative with how the axel broke....

[snapback]262681[/snapback]

[/b][/quote]

I figured it would be a whole lot of cash. But since it is not the axle, I hope it won't be so bad.

bigred318 · 01-03-2005, 12:27 AM

hmm i dont know any prices or anything but i hope you get it all worked out!! good thing you werent driving fast

Davod

ganjacyde · 01-03-2005, 02:28 AM

yeah, consider yourself lucky it happened when and where it did. if that shit happens on the road, you're surely dead meat.

but insurance should cover it, like someone said...be creative.
if its not worth the deductable though you're just gonna have to pay for it. welcome to european luxury, these cars are expensive.

Live_the_Curves · 01-03-2005, 02:34 AM

I am thinking a connecting tie-rod or something like that might of been broken.

Also if you make insurance claims does'nt your insurance go up.

bitcore · 01-03-2005, 10:35 AM

Lower control arm.

The thing circled in red? (mine got BENT by a garage about 6 months ago, they lifted my car using my control arm = BAD) The round one above it is the axle.

If it's JUST the control arm, it wont be too much, it's just a part, two rubber bushings, and some bolts. All it does is control the angle of the wheel on the ground (camber) It does not support the car's weight. You do have to get a re-alignment after this is done though, so that is going to cost a little more.

I say it's under $200 USD, no more than that if it's just the control arm...

Probably a bolt just broke or nut came loose, in that case, $10 USD for a mechanic to re-bolt it for you.

CHECK THE OTHER SIDE!!!

drz · 01-03-2005, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bitcore@Jan 3 2005, 11:35 AM
Lower control arm.

The thing circled in red? (mine got BENT by a garage about 6 months ago, they lifted my car using my control arm = BAD) The round one above it is the axle.

If it's JUST the control arm, it wont be too much, it's just a part, two rubber bushings, and some bolts. All it does is control the angle of the wheel on the ground (camber) It does not support the car's weight. You do have to get a re-alignment after this is done though, so that is going to cost a little more.

I say it's under $200 - $300 USD, no more than that if it's just the control arm...

Probably a bolt just broke or nut came loose, in that case, $10 USD for a mechanic to re-bolt it for you.

CHECK THE OTHER SIDE!!!

[snapback]263176[/snapback]

The control arm. That sounds right to me. I feel better knowing since I can go to a body shop and tell them that. You know, when you go in and don't even know the name of whatever is broken, their behavior toward you is not the same. The control arm broke. YUeah -- it's not like a bolt fell off or something like that. Is it just one piece that runs across from side to side? Or is there on per wheel?

BTW, your server seems to still be down... we cannot see your pics.

bitcore · 01-03-2005, 12:05 PM

I shut it down to replace a NIC that was acting up and was stuck in 10mbit and to add another 160 gigger to replace a couple failing drives. I forgot to reset the IP from DHCP to static, thats why it was down so damn long.
doh :P It's back up.

There is one control arm per wheel.
So the arm BROKE into two seperate pieces? How did that happen!??! Those things have a relitively high tensile strength and are designed not to do this.

flying_junk · 01-03-2005, 02:12 PM

control arm for my car was 48 dollars or so off of this one place. if u wanna kno what it is tell me. thay are relativfely cheap and its new parts.

drz · 01-03-2005, 02:28 PM

Yeah man. Where is this place?

bitcore · 01-03-2005, 03:44 PM

www.bavauto.com has them, but get the bushings from the dealership if they don't already come installed. (I've had serious trouble with their LCA bushings, they failed with HOLES in them before they even hit 10,000 miles) Call them up and talk to a someone, they will look up the parts for you and give you prices.

First, go to a mechanic you can trust or the dealership and get them to take a look at it and see what happened. Then worry about the parts you need.

I was using bavauto's arm for about 5 months until I hydroplaned into a curb and turned it into spaghetti, I've got all OEM parts in the back now.

drz · 01-03-2005, 04:00 PM

Yeah, I was going to call bavauto. I'll have to find a good mechanic around here, though. I am new in the area and don't really know of one I can trust. I'll have to have someone direct me toward a good one. If any of you are from around here (Fayetteville, AR), please give some recommendations.

bitcore · 01-03-2005, 08:16 PM

See if you can get under the car with em