Cont Arms, Wheel Well, Front Brakes

[netgeek]

I took my car to a BMW dealership and they told me that I need to repalce the Front Cont Arms, Front Brakes and need Wheel Wells. I have 3 questions:

1. Isnt any of this covered under warranty? I have a 2000 BMW 323ci with 34k miles on it.

2. The total money the dealership is aking for is 1600 USD for all of these. Can you please suggest if and where can I buy these parts online. Also, if I buy these parts myself and take them to a car mechanic is there anything else I need to be worried about besides asking him to replace the parts. I mean do I need realignment when cont arms are replaced?

3. I hear a grinding noise when I apply brake on high speeds. could it be related to the front brakes? What exaclty do cont arms do and is repalcing them part of normal wear and tear?

Any other advise you can give regarding any of this is most welcome. I really dont know much abt car parts or their functionality.

Much Thanks,
netgeek

[PMB]

I have never heard of anyone having to replace wheel wells before!! I also don't understand the control arm issue. I can only assume that you hit something and took out the control arm and wheel well. If it is replaced then yes the wheel alignment would have to be adjusted as part of the job.

However, if your brakes are grinding that is urgent. Replacing pads is pretty easy and takes about 15 minutes a side. Similarly, replacing the discs is easy as once the wheel is removed there is only one small screw holding the disc in place. This adds about 10 minutes to the job. If you don't want to attampt the job yourself, any mechanic should be able to do it. Discs and pads should take less than one hour. Parts are easily avilable.

[Rookie]

I agree you should have handeling issues if you took out a control arm. Also if you look inside the wheels wells are they still there? Are the cracked? Find out what they are talking about and why it needs to be replaced. As for the dealership F**K them don't pay 1,600USD for that crap. If you don't want to do the brakes your self then find a friend who can do them, and or go to schucks or some other place that does brakes like mitas and provide them with the parts so they don't try and ream you on the price. Ask them to take a look at the control arms when they do the brakes and see what they say. Brakes should be less than 100 bucks for labor.

[2000BMW323i]

buy your control arms from Bavarian, they are lighter and the ball joints are changeable unlike stock control arms

[netgeek]

Thanks PMB, Rookie and 2000BMW323i for your replies.

I got the brakes changed. the mechanic confirmed that cont arms were ok. (FYI...I spent a total of 440 on front and rear brake pairs, from brake discs and the labor). I still have to get wheel wells.

now i dont hear the grinding that i used to while braking at hi speeds but now i hear a noise just before the car comes to a complete rest after applying brakes. i dont hear anything while I am braking (as before) but a noise just before the care comes to a compelt halt.

is this expected with new brakes or do i need to take it back to the mecahnic?

thanks,
netgeek

[zibby]

Originally posted by netgeek@Aug 16 2005, 06:40 PM
Thanks PMB, Rookie and 2000BMW323i for your replies.

I got the brakes changed. the mechanic confirmed that cont arms were ok. (FYI...I spent a total of 440 on front and rear brake pairs, from brake discs and the labor). I still have to get wheel wells.

now i dont hear the grinding that i used to while braking at hi speeds but now i hear a noise just before the car comes to a complete rest after applying brakes. i dont hear anything while I am braking (as before) but a noise just before the care comes to a compelt halt.

is this expected with new brakes or do i need to take it back to the mecahnic?

thanks,
netgeek

[snapback]370093[/snapback]

A week ago I installed new front pads(PBR Deluxe Plus) and have exactly the same symptoms- squeel just before complete stop- I think they just adjusting, probably it can takes up to 500 miles for that. Good luck to you and me!

[///M Power]

You should hear squealing for the first 50-100 miles while your brake pads bed.

Did you really have to change your rotors or is your mechanic screwing you over?


You need new WHEEL WELLS??? If its the plastic piece im thinking about, I dont think it should cost more than maybe $35 per piece.

[nathan56989]

lol

[sycow]

Originally posted by nathan56989@Aug 26 2005, 05:45 PM
lol

[snapback]372707[/snapback]

What`s that, lol !?