[ajvalles1]

Hello,

I hit a huge pothole, lost control and hit a curb in LA driving home yesterday, and immediately felt like something was wrong.

I took it to a took where I wanted to get a full alignment done and told them what had happened and they said they would check all suspension components before hand to make sure it was good to go.

they looked at it said it was good and then told me that they will align. He mentioned something about the brakes being low causing the car to steer slightly to the left. I told him thanks but no thanks.

Something felt off still and I knew it wasnt the brakes. I got home today and found that the control arm on the side I hit on the curb had some damage on it.

Any idea on how bad that damage is? What can I expect to pay for replacing the control arm?

[justpete]

Originally Posted by ajvalles1

Hello,

I hit a huge pothole, lost control and hit a curb in LA driving home yesterday, and immediately felt like something was wrong.

I took it to a took where I wanted to get a full alignment done and told them what had happened and they said they would check all suspension components before hand to make sure it was good to go.

they looked at it said it was good and then told me that they will align. He mentioned something about the brakes being low causing the car to steer slightly to the left. I told him thanks but no thanks.

Something felt off still and I knew it wasnt the brakes. I got home today and found that the control arm on the side I hit on the curb had some damage on it.

Any idea on how bad that damage is? What can I expect to pay for replacing the control arm?

Um, that doesn't look right at all. What does the other side look like?

Did you take it to a dealership or an indy?

[Speed_Addict]

At a minimum it looks like the bushing in the sub-frame where the lower camber arm is attached (that is what that piece in the picture is and not a control arm) is destroyed and will need to be replaced. Could be other bent pieces but that bush is fairly obvious in the picture.

[justpete]

Originally Posted by Speed_Addict

At a minimum it looks like the bushing in the sub-frame where the lower camber arm is attached (that is what that piece in the picture is and not a control arm) is destroyed and will need to be replaced. Could be other bent pieces but that bush is fairly obvious in the picture.

Yeah, I have welded in spherical bearings and don't remember the original ones but damn if it doesn't look like it's a real mess. I'd be back at that "shop" demanding my money back.

[ajvalles1]

Originally Posted by justpete

Um, that doesn't look right at all. What does the other side look like?

Did you take it to a dealership or an indy?

Havent taken it in to the indy shop just yet. Im going to do that first thing tomorrow..

[ajvalles1]

Originally Posted by Speed_Addict

At a minimum it looks like the bushing in the sub-frame where the lower camber arm is attached (that is what that piece in the picture is and not a control arm) is destroyed and will need to be replaced. Could be other bent pieces but that bush is fairly obvious in the picture.

Thanks. I will correct the posting. I wasnt sure what it was called.

You wouldnt happen to have the exact name or part # for that bushing in the subframe would you?

Im sure there will be some other pieces bent but I hope not.

[justpete]

Originally Posted by ajvalles1

Havent taken it in to the indy shop just yet. Im going to do that first thing tomorrow..

How many miles on your car? Hard to imagine a pothole big enough to do that unless the bushing was pretty much shot already. Hope it works out for you though.

[ajvalles1]

Originally Posted by justpete

How many miles on your car? Hard to imagine a pothole big enough to do that unless the bushing was pretty much shot already. Hope it works out for you though.

Car as 72k on it. ran fine before I hit the curb, I will be taking it to the Indy Shop tomorrow

[justpete]

Originally Posted by ajvalles1

Car as 72k on it. ran fine before I hit the curb, I will be taking it to the Indy Shop tomorrow

Hopefully there's no damage to the subframe. Good luck!

[feuer]

Originally Posted by justpete

Hopefully there's no damage to the subframe. Good luck!

That is the subframe that gave out, unfortunately...

[justpete]

Originally Posted by feuer

That is the subframe that gave out, unfortunately...

Kinda looked that way but not enough experience to be certain. How the hell did that happen at this relatively low mileage? Damn but that's going to be painful...

[Speed_Addict]

Originally Posted by feuer

That is the subframe that gave out, unfortunately...

Yep - feuer is right. Looking at your pics zoomed in the tube in sub-frame the camber arm bush is pressed into blew out. Probably time for a new sub-frame. There is likely going to be other damage with that kind of hit that is not so blatant - possibly bends in control arms or guide rods that are not so obvious. Get it to a good indy that specializes in BMW's and preferably has a good alignment system and knows how to use it.

Here are some parts schematics that may give you an idea of what parts your going to be into - looks like you maybe have a pre-LCI E92? (note prices listed here are not likely what you are going to pay - they may be a bit more...)

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=33_1354

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=33_1230

Ever thought of upgrading your rear sub-frame bushings? Unfortunately now is likely the time to do so...

Good luck!

[ajvalles1]

Originally Posted by Speed_Addict

Yep - feuer is right. Looking at your pics zoomed in the tube in sub-frame the camber arm bush is pressed into blew out. Probably time for a new sub-frame. There is likely going to be other damage with that kind of hit that is not so blatant - possibly bends in control arms or guide rods that are not so obvious. Get it to a good indy that specializes in BMW's and preferably has a good alignment system and knows how to use it.

Here are some parts schematics that may give you an idea of what parts your going to be into - looks like you maybe have a pre-LCI E92? (note prices listed here are not likely what you are going to pay - they may be a bit more...)

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=33_1354

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=33_1230

Ever thought of upgrading your rear sub-frame bushings? Unfortunately now is likely the time to do so...

Good luck!

YEEEPPPP. you were right. subframe is done for as it was twisted. Mechanic removed all parts in that area and said some of those parts are still usable. But the bearing and Subframe are done for. Offered to replace the subframe at $1475for parts and labor.

Is $1475 a good price? $650 for the part (probably OE) and $825 for labor

[feuer]

Originally Posted by ajvalles1

Is $1475 a good price? $650 for the part (probably OE) and $825

Definitely, let them do the work.

[jmmoore3]

That would be a covered loss under insurance assuming you have collision coverage. Just a suggestion if money was tight and if you use preferred shops work is garuanteed as long as you own the car and insurance has your back if repair fails. That type of damage is always no fun. And with the mileage you will have on the car when selling someday the reported accident won't hurt you much. Just my .02$.

[feuer]

Originally Posted by justpete

Kinda looked that way but not enough experience to be certain. How the hell did that happen at this relatively low mileage? Damn but that's going to be painful...

Low mileage doesn't make the car any more or less impact failure resistant. Is sad but it happens.

[ajvalles1]

Originally Posted by feuer

Low mileage doesn't make the car any more or less impact failure resistant. Is sad but it happens.

Yup45-50 curb hit will do that. unfortunate.

I bought a used subframe OEM from a reputable place in Los Angeles. question is should I just leave the stock bushings ? Or upgrade the bushings?

[ajvalles1]

Originally Posted by jmmoore3

That would be a covered loss under insurance assuming you have collision coverage. Just a suggestion if money was tight and if you use preferred shops work is garuanteed as long as you own the car and insurance has your back if repair fails. That type of damage is always no fun. And with the mileage you will have on the car when selling someday the reported accident won't hurt you much. Just my .02$.

Shop quoted me $2k for everything fixed including wheel damage. Just don't have to use my $1000 deductible on that. And have my rates go up.

I was thinking of piecing together the parts and using a good Indy shop

[feuer]

Originally Posted by ajvalles1

Yup45-50 curb hit will do that. unfortunate.

I bought a used subframe OEM from a reputable place in Los Angeles. question is should I just leave the stock bushings ? Or upgrade the bushings?

Upgrade! Perfect opportunity to do that.

[ajvalles1]

Originally Posted by Speed_Addict

Yep - feuer is right. Looking at your pics zoomed in the tube in sub-frame the camber arm bush is pressed into blew out. Probably time for a new sub-frame. There is likely going to be other damage with that kind of hit that is not so blatant - possibly bends in control arms or guide rods that are not so obvious. Get it to a good indy that specializes in BMW's and preferably has a good alignment system and knows how to use it.

Here are some parts schematics that may give you an idea of what parts your going to be into - looks like you maybe have a pre-LCI E92? (note prices listed here are not likely what you are going to pay - they may be a bit more...)

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=33_1354

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=33_1230

Ever thought of upgrading your rear sub-frame bushings? Unfortunately now is likely the time to do so...

Good luck!

Hello. I just bought a used subframe in great condition lightly used, should I use some upgraded bushings on that newly bought lightly used subframe? If so what upgraded bushings do you recommend?

[justpete]

Originally Posted by feuer

Low mileage doesn't make the car any more or less impact failure resistant. Is sad but it happens.

Just couldn't imagine an impact strong enough to do this and not cause the car to flat out wreck. Learn something new every day.

[jmmoore3]

Originally Posted by ajvalles1

Shop quoted me $2k for everything fixed including wheel damage. Just don't have to use my $1000 deductible on that. And have my rates go up.

I was thinking of piecing together the parts and using a good Indy shop

With a $1000 ded. I'm with you. Sounds like you're good to go. Gl w the repairs.