Wishbone change..... HELP!!! ......please

[StuBeeDoo]

Guys. I've got my car in bits and I cant get the bush off the back of the wishbone. Have I got to get the job done at a garage???
Cheers
Stuart.

[dazleeds]

which bush do you mean mate?? the big round 1 that bolts to the chassis??

[StuBeeDoo]

which bush do you mean mate?? the big round 1 that bolts to the chassis??

Yep. That's the one.

[dazleeds]

ok it may come off with plenty of washing up liquid
and plenty of elbow grease you will need to get it slipping first then gently coax it off by twisting left to right with more and more washing up liquid

failing that if your changing the round bush as well then just cut the bush and take the mount off then fit new bush
it is a ballache mate but can be done hth Daz

[E30Mark]

If all else fails, burn the bast@rd off

[StuBeeDoo]

The bloke in ECP told me the wishbone was all I'd need!!
Thanks for the help guys. Wouldn't you think the 'bone would come complete????
I never had the trouble repairing all the F**ds that I've had with one BMW! Not really DIY friendly, are they?
I need to get the cylinder head changed soon - I'm not even going to attempt that one, it's going to the garage!
Stuart.

[dazleeds]

there not the worst iv done but i know what ya mean mate

persevere youll get there mate
i used to send everything in to garage but cnt afford to anymore so now its diy all the way for me
goodluck fella Daz

[E30Mark]

The bloke in ECP told me the wishbone was all I'd need!!
Thanks for the help guys. Wouldn't you think the 'bone would come complete????
I never had the trouble repairing all the F**ds that I've had with one BMW! Not really DIY friendly, are they?
I need to get the cylinder head changed soon - I'm not even going to attempt that one, it's going to the garage!
Stuart.

Buy a Renault, then you will realise the BM' ain't that bad to work on...

[Jamesb318is]

Get a really big screwdriver/lever in one of the bush mount holes and use it to rotate the bush on the wishbone, it wont turn at first but if you keep feeding a bit of washing up liquid and water or screenwash, it will eventually slip and you can twist it off.
Cover the end of the new wishbone with s/wash or similar, a bit on the bush, and either push on or twat with a hammer (ideally a soft/deadblow hammer though!)

[Martinaston]

put the bush in a vice and twist the arm, or leave the bush bolted to the car and pull the arm out. But make sure the car is supported properly and you don't hit yourself in the face

And by the time you get the trailing arm out you will probably have ruined the bush anyway (Ԛ£8.50 each).

If the guy in ECP has the chance to take Ԛ£20 or Ԛ£70 what do you think he is going to surgest ?

Why do you think it's the tracking arm's that need changing ?

[StuBeeDoo]

Right. It's going from bad to worse!
When I took the car in for MOT it failed on leaking steering rack, and play in the wishbone joints and track rod end.
I had alread had a rack put in, bought it from ECP. Muppet who fitted it took off the new track rods and ends and refitted the old ones. "That's the way we always do it mate"!
I've now fitted new track rod and end to the drivers side, and the new wishbone.
The 'rack's p1ss1ng out oil but I can't see where from. I've checked all the unions and they're ok. Driving the car (before I knew about the leak) it's knocking like fcuk.
ECP want me to pay for another 'rack before they'll process a warranty claim and the dipsh1t who fitted the rack doesn't want to know. "Not my problem mate, you supplied the 'rack"!
I'm really now. I've lost all interest in the car, I'm getting stitched left, right and centre by all the local garages including a BMW "specialist". The general concensus seems to be "you want a BMW mate, you put up with the grief that comes with it"!
I've never felt like this about a car before. Maybe I should get rid and buy a "shopping trolley".
I thought BMWs were reliable, that's why I bought it. Mine certainly isn't.
Actually, that's not quite true. When it's ok, it's great, but when it does go wrong, it costs me big-style.
What do you think?? Should I cut my losses? I'm fed up with having to do all my own work, or having to sort garages feck-ups. I don't have time for all this.

[Guest]

yeah, the bad news comes in waves with e30s ive found, i had a real bad time just before xmas last year with mine, but i pulled throo, you'll forget about it all when your driving along and its all sorted, with a big smile on your face, me ive got my mot due next month and im dreading it

[Martinaston]

Are you saying the guy fitted a new rack and it's still leaking ?

I'm having trouble following the order of events

If the guy fitted a new rack and put the old track end's on it, then where are the new one's ?

[StuBeeDoo]

Are you saying the guy fitted a new rack and it's still leaking ?

Yes.

If the guy fitted a new rack and put the old track end's on it, then where are the new one's ?

Evidently, they went back with the old rack (exchange unit).

[Brianmoooore]

The new rack could have failed if the old fluid in the system wasn't flushed out properly.
What colour is the steering fluid? It should be a nice deep red colour.
BMWs are very DIY friendly and extremely reliable and well engineered, but, from reading the above, it seems that your knowledge of the mechanical side of things is fairly thin, and there's a distinct possibility that your mechanic's is even less.
If you told him to replace the rack, then I would expect him to reuse the old rod ends, unless they are obviously faulty. If you knew, and didn't pass the information (and parts) on, then it's your fault.
When you have a new tyre fitted, you don't expect it to come back on a new wheel, do you?
Wishbone doesn't come with bush, because 1/ There is more than one type of bush to fit on it, and 2/ bushes are replaced more often than arms, so to sell them seperately and complete with arms would be double stocking the same part.
They are not mean't to be reused and are normally destroyed when you remove them.
Ecp man is a seller of boxes, not a mechanic. It's up to you to know what you want, or pay someone who does.
Rant over. BMWs not reliable or DIY friendly indeed!

[StuBeeDoo]

The new rack could have failed if the old fluid in the system wasn't flushed out properly.What colour is the steering fluid? It should be a nice deep red colour.

The fluid has been renewed, as it should be when a new 'rack is fitted. At least that bit was done properly.

it seems that your knowledge of the mechanical side of things is fairly thin

I have been maintaining my own vehicles for over 30 years with very few problems.

If you told him to replace the rack, then I would expect him to reuse the old rod ends, unless they are obviously faulty. If you knew, and didn't pass the information (and parts) on, then it's your fault.

The new rack came supplied with new rods and ends, so I expected them to be used. You don't pay for new parts and then send them back un-used when you buy exchange units.

They are not mean't to be reused and are normally destroyed when you remove them.

All the more reason for them to be supplied on the replacement arms!!

BMWs not reliable or DIY friendly indeed!

OK, so BMWs are reliable. In my experience (eighteen months ownership) every time my car has needed work, it's never been a straightforward repair job. Even a BMW trained specialist can't do the work properly. My local BMW dealership don't even want E34's and E36's in their workshop, so what chance have I got?

[Brianmoooore]

At it Even a BMW trained specialist can't do the work properly. [/color]

A monkey with a certificate in his hand is still a monkey.

[dazleeds]

round of applause brian mate spot on

[Brianmoooore]

The new rack came supplied with new rods and ends, so I expected them to be used. You don't pay for new parts and then send them back un-used when you buy exchange units.

Very surprised about that, most parts come as the very bare minimum. Anything else is wasted profit.
Yes, he should have used them. (see post ref: monkey)

[Brianmoooore]

OK, so BMWs are reliable. In my experience (eighteen months ownership) every time my car has needed work, it's never been a straightforward repair job.

I can't think of anything on a BMW that's not straightforward if you know what you're doing. Most things come apart easily and can be replaced without needing new bits or leaving evidence that they,ve been apart.
The evolution of the E30 from a 316 carb to a fully loaded 325 has made a few things harder to get at than they originally were, but all things considered, a lot easier than most makes.

[Martinaston]

Sorry to harp on essbee, you obviously are pissed off with the whole thing but I still can't work out how the tie rod ends made it back to ECP.

Did you take them or did the monkey do it?
There about Ԛ£60 to buy separatley and i can't see a mechanic returning them.
If you supplied them with the rack i would have expected them to be fitted.

If i were you i would offer the guy the chance to correct the problems as your only other option is to go to the trading standard's.
Say that's the only choice you have as you are short of cash and can not go somewhere else to get it sorted.
You could then infer that it was him that balls'ed up the new rack.
If he reluctantly agrees, then tell him that you can only have the car off the road for a short time and you will wait while he does the work.(i can do a swap in about two hours, but he will probably say it will take twice that)
That way you can keep an eye on the guy and make sure he doesn't decide to sabotage something else on the car as he's bound to be in a bad mood.

Be polite and expect the guy to get in your face. Just stay calm until he agrees and take a couple of friend's and have them stay out of sight (just in case )

[TOURINGDADDY]

dude if lived closer i'd get my toolbox and come and sort it, is there not a Zoner near who can jump on this for the bloke. COME ON PEOPLE

[StuBeeDoo]

Sorry to harp on essbee, you obviously are pissed off with the whole thing but I still can't work out how the tie rod ends made it back to ECP.

Did you take them or did the monkey do it?

When he gave me the old rack to take back to ECP, it was a bag of bits! ECP were a bit p!ssed-off about it and didn't want to give me my surcharge back until I started kicking off. It was only when I took the car for the tracking to be done and the Dude had a devil of a job freeing-off the adjusters that it came to light that the track rods etc had not been replaced.

If you supplied them with the rack i would have expected them to be fitted.

They were definately on the new rack 'coz I specifically checked when I bought it because I wanted them changed with the rack. Had there not been any on the new 'rack, I would have bought a pair!

Say that's the only choice you have as you are short of cash

They know that isn't the case!!

You could then infer that it was him that balls'ed up the new rack.

I'd rather be able to prove something like that!

tell him that you can only have the car off the road for a short time and you will wait while he does the work.

When I had the 'rack done, it took him six and a half hours, while I was waiting!!

[Martinaston]

Go to the trading standards then.

But you will have to prove everything and will wait forever to see any comeback through a small claims court.

By that time you will be even more out of pocket.

Good luck.

[Jhonno]

Just a comment from my experience BMW are v reliable (not had a single problem with mine in the last year!) and very easy to work on, its all well engineered and straightforward, not even had a seized bolt/nut

my local BM dealer has no problems having an e30 in their workshop.. why should they?

does sound like your dealing with someone who knows less than you, yet gets paid for it!!

[StuBeeDoo]

does sound like your dealing with someone who knows less than you, yet gets paid for it!!

I like to think that with the "assistance" you all you 'Zoners I can do pretty much anything on my car, despite Brian's comment about my apparant lack of knowledge. As I've mentioned before, until I bought the Touring, I had always done all my own mechanical repairs, without too much in the way of problems. It's only since I started using garages, due to my lack of time and facilities, that problems have arisen. I accept that this is not really an issue specific to my current car. My comment about the BMW not being reliable was out of context, and I should have calmed down a bit before typing that post.
However, I do currently have a lack of facilities. At the moment, I'm unable to get into my garage for house contents. This issue is being addressed as quickly as possible, but we are still waiting for the builders to finish the repairs to the house, and until they do we have to live with a "garage full of house".
I'm still sticking to my decision to get the cylinder head change done by a garage though - it's just a case of deciding which one!

Latest update:
The knock in the suspension isn't as bad now as it was when I first drove the car after fitting the new joints. But I still can't get my head 'round why brand new joints would knock.
The leak from the 'rack seems to be coming from a hole in the casing at the back of the pinion housing. It's a round hole. I can't see if it's threaded, but it looks like it may possibly be for a union or a bleed screw of some type. Anyone got any ideas?
The plan is that tomorrow morning I go to ECP and get a look at a 'rack out of their stock, then I know what I'm up against, and can decide what to do to sort the issue.
Thanks for all your support Guys. :rock:
Stuart.

[Martinaston]

When you say it's knocking is it doing it whenever you move the steering or does it do it once when you go back to centre ?

What rack do you have ?
The Aluminium (316-318) or Steel (320-325).

I have a steel one that i can get a picture of.

[StuBeeDoo]

When you say it's knocking is it doing it whenever you move the steering or does it do it once when you go back to centre ?

What rack do you have ?
The Aluminium (316-318) or Steel (320-325).

I have a steel one that i can get a picture of.

I presume it's a steel 'rack as the car's a 320i.
The knock is suspension related as it happens when the car goes over a bump or changes attitude. I can't get it to happen by bouncing the car though.

[Brianmoooore]

does sound like your dealing with someone who knows less than you, yet gets paid for it!!

I like to think that with the "assistance" you all you 'Zoners I can do pretty much anything on my car, despite Brian's comment about my apparant lack of knowledge. As I've mentioned before, until I bought the Touring, I had always done all my own mechanical repairs, without too much in the way of problems. It's only since I started using garages, due to my lack of time and facilities, that problems have arisen. I accept that this is not really an issue specific to my current car. My comment about the BMW not being reliable was out of context, and I should have calmed down a bit before typing that post.
However, I do currently have a lack of facilities. At the moment, I'm unable to get into my garage for house contents. This issue is being addressed as quickly as possible, but we are still waiting for the builders to finish the repairs to the house, and until they do we have to live with a "garage full of house".
I'm still sticking to my decision to get the cylinder head change done by a garage though - it's just a case of deciding which one!

Latest update:
The knock in the suspension isn't as bad now as it was when I first drove the car after fitting the new joints. But I still can't get my head 'round why brand new joints would knock.
The leak from the 'rack seems to be coming from a hole in the casing at the back of the pinion housing. It's a round hole. I can't see if it's threaded, but it looks like it may possibly be for a union or a bleed screw of some type. Anyone got any ideas?
The plan is that tomorrow morning I go to ECP and get a look at a 'rack out of tthe issue.
Thanks for all your support Guys. :rock:
Stuart.[/colorheir stock, then I know what I'm up against, and can decide what to do to sort ]

[Martinaston]

Anti roll bar ?

I'll get you a pic of the rack when top gear finnish's

[Brianmoooore]

Ignore the above - it's E30s I'm good at, not computers.

[Brianmoooore]

I like to think that with the "assistance" you all you 'Zoners I can do pretty much anything on my car, despite Brian's comment about my apparant lack of knowledge.

That's what the zone's for. Lack of knowledge we can help with between us. Lack of skill we can't. I wouldn't dream of letting anyone except myself and a very select few of mechanics anywhere near the mechanicals of any of my cars, and now that you've explained your current circumstances, I can see that you probably think the same.
Now that you've apologised for insulting BMWs, I'll apologise for my outburst.

[StuBeeDoo]

That's what the zone's for. Lack of knowledge we can help with between us. Lack of skill we can't. I wouldn't dream of letting anyone except myself and a very select few of mechanics anywhere near the mechanicals of any of my cars, and now that you've explained your current circumstances, I can see that you probably think the same.
Now that you've apologised for insulting BMWs, I'll apologise for my outburst.

Brian, it's not a problem. One of the few drawbacks any forum such as this is that two people can be literally half a world apart and one may not know the full circumstances of the other.
Since coming on the 'Zone, I've found you to be a member whose experience, thoughts and opinions I can trust. I know there are other members who agree with me on this. There have been several occasions when the benefit of your experience has helped me solve a problem.

You're right about having people work on the car. If I could find someone I could trust, it wouldn't be so bad. It's just that right now when I really could do with someone reliable, I'm having trouble with everyone I try out. I had never realised how true the "horror stories" you hear about garages actually can be. I've been to garages and asked for work to be done, only to be told "if you know so much about cars, do it yourself because we don't want to get involved"! (as was the case when I wanted my diff changed)

[Martinaston]

Any help ?













Hope it helps. sorry if its covered in muck but i'm not cleaning it at this hour.

[tourer-dan]

It's only since I started using garages, due to my lack of time and facilities, that problems have arisen. I accept that this is not really an issue specific to my current car. My comment about the BMW not being reliable was out of context, and I should have calmed down a bit before typing that post.
However, I do currently have a lack of facilities. At the moment, I'm unable to get into my garage for house contents. This issue is being addressed as quickly as possible, but we are still waiting for the builders to finish the repairs to the house, and until they do we have to live with a "garage full of house".
I'm still sticking to my decision to get the cylinder head change done by a garage though - it's just a case of deciding which one!

I'm totally with you on the lack of facilities. My old house had a workshop big enough to fit 3 cars in. My current accommodation has space at the back of the garden for 3/4 of a car, which I have covered with a Ԛ£10 B&Q gazebo and the floor is too uneven to raise the entire car on axle stands. I just managed to do the head replacement, but drew the line at a gearbox change. It broke my heart to pay a man to do a job I could have done myself.
Why did I move?
A change in career which effected a twenty grand pay cut for the sake of my sanity. Selling new cars is unsurprisingly dissatisfying compared to nursing. I miss a brand new car every 3 months though!