E46 - anyone here ever changed the front wishbones?

[X5Sport]

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

[graemeX5]

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

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

Hth

[X5Sport]

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....

Richard

[stevox5]

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.

[X5Sport]

Cheers Steve.  That's exactly what I needed. 

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.

Richard

[ChrisABP]

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...

Chris