Suspension arm rip off ???

[clipper]

Can anyone answer a quick question....

My 325 has failed the MOT (or the equivalent inspection where I live) on a suspension bush being worn.

The mechanic at the workshop has said that the bush cannot be bought seperately and that we have to buy a new suspension arm...... sound like b*ll*cks to me, what do you think ?

[Brianmoooore]

All suspension bushes are replaceable, no problem. (Or if it's the rear beam bushes, plenty of problems!).
Think you may mean a ball joint on one of the front control arms.
If your 325 is a touring, it should have aluminium alloy control arms, which it shares with the M3. The ball joints in these are not replaceable, and new arms are well over £200 each.
If your 325 is a humble saloon it will have steel control arms, and the joints, although not officially replaceable, are available, and can be easily changed with a hydraulic press.
There are two ball joints on each arm, and the cost of two of these (about £11 each, IIRC), approaches the cost of a complete new arm (about, 28-00, IIRC) from ECP or GSF, although a new rubber bush will be needed as well with a new arm.

[Geeman]

As Brian says... the bushes are completely replacable. You don't need a new arm for a bush, though you're definitely better off changing the whole arm if it's a ball-joint that's gone.

[clipper]

Thanks for the speedy responses, I´ll be off to the mechanic's this afternoon to have a look myself..... don't suppose you know the spanish for "ball and socket joint".......

[clipper]

Just to confirm - Yep, you were right, both ball and sockets knackered on the control arm.

By the way this forum is great, I don't post much cos I don't need to, reading all the techy help in other threads and following the advice has improved my car's driveability no end, and saved me loads of money.

Cheers !