E85 failed MOT, on suspension, recommendations for repair?

[Ian.newson]

Hi all,

My Z4 failed its MOT on the following:

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))
Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

I haven't got a formal quote from my regular garage yet, but I wonder if any of you can offer some advice to do this cheaply? The pandemic hasn't treated me well financially so need to keep costs to a minimum.

Is this something I can feasibly do any of the work myself? Bear in mind I'm very much an amateur, but do have time on my hands atm.

Failing that, is there anything you can suggest? Maybe it's worth looking at breakers for the parts?

Thanks!

P.S.

The car only moved 29 miles since its previous MOT before this failure, this seemed a bit strange to me that something could become excessively worn with so little use. Am I mistaken?

 

[bigwinn]

My opinion only

I’d replace with new wishbone arms both sides- if you are able you can do it yourself with basic (ish) tools and a fair knowledge

I wouldn’t buy 2nd hand

As for the deterioration I guess that last mot may have been lenient and this chap not…

 

[Thrustyjust]

Just needs some new rear bushes on the wishbones at a guess, but worth asking the MOT tester on what bush or joint is loose to confirm. Not that expensive to buy the bushes but worth getting a garage to fit if you dont feel confident to do, as involves undertray off and some fumbling and potentially a puller or hammer and drift to remove. They are oil filled ( as I found out when I cut them out the outer housing to fit poly versions and are known to fail at age from perishing.

 

[ph001]

Yep, thrustyjust has it bang on. It will be the rear bushes on the front wishbones (no.1 in the diagram below). They do deteriorate with age as well as usage. I didn't think the oem ones were oil filled though????? They are a bitch do unless you have a press so would suggest leaving it to a garage or just replacing the whole wishbone as mentioned above. The latter is relatively simple.

 

[enuff_zed]

Yep, thrustyjust has it bang on. It will be the rear bushes on the front wishbones (no.1 in the diagram below). They do deteriorate with age as well as usage. I didn't think the oem ones were oil filled though????? They are a bitch do unless you have a press so would suggest leaving it to a garage or just replacing the whole wishbone as mentioned above. The latter is relatively simple.




Z4 bushes_wear.jpg

Can you not unbolt the whole lollipop and put a new one on?
Easier than pressing bushes out.
I suppose it depends very much on available funds, but I think I would get the whole kit, with wishbones too, as it is likely the bushes in those will be on their way out and fitting new rear bushes may transfer the load more onto them.
Agree it would be a garage job unless you have good access and a bit of mechanical aptitude.

 

[pilch]

Where are you based Ian?

 

[skelters]

The original bushes were oil filled rubber ones and deteriorate over time.

They're usually replaced with Powerflex bushes by most folk on here.

The good thing is that once they're replaced they'll probably never need to be replaced again.

Should probably get an alignment done after the bushes / wishbones are replaced or there might be some excess tyre wear. Another good think is that it'll feel like a new car after that!

 

[Ian.newson]

Where are you based Ian?

Leicester-ish.

Thanks everyone for your advice.

It sounds like I should probably take it to my trusted garage since I don't have the experience and they've always come in cheaper than expected on this car.

 

[Ian.newson]

Oh I found this when I was considering a self repair:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Z4-E85-Convertible-2003-2009-Front-Lower-Steel-Suspension-Wishbone-Arms-Pair-/284022868218?var=0&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5338268676&toolid=10044&customid=Cj0KCQjwwLKFBhDPARIsAPzPi-LxyJxSr-YggJK_gV2pw0hVlBlO6dFw0JW5jzzuCFf7U0iO_qum26saAiPrEALw_wcB#vi-ilComp

This seems fairly easy and cheap to do myself? So presumably I'm missing something!

 

[pilch]

Where are you based Ian?

Leicester-ish.

Thanks everyone for your advice.

It sounds like I should probably take it to my trusted garage since I don't have the experience and they've always come in cheaper than expected on this car.

Ah ok if you were my way I'd have said drop it round with the parts and I've have done it for you

If you're not confident just take it to a garage, it's not a big job at all

 

[Stevepj]

Oh I found this when I was considering a self repair:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Z4-E85-Convertible-2003-2009-Front-Lower-Steel-Suspension-Wishbone-Arms-Pair-/284022868218?var=0&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5338268676&toolid=10044&customid=Cj0KCQjwwLKFBhDPARIsAPzPi-LxyJxSr-YggJK_gV2pw0hVlBlO6dFw0JW5jzzuCFf7U0iO_qum26saAiPrEALw_wcB#vi-ilComp

This seems fairly easy and cheap to do myself? So presumably I'm missing something!

Yep, the Bush at the end of the wishbone that actually needs replacing :wink: :wink:

 

[Thrustyjust]

They were 'surprising to me' to be oil filled and the hacksaw and the bench and the vice . I cut mine out as fitted Poly bushes and are brilliant. If I did want to fit rubber standards, then I would have fitted the replacement lollipops with new bushes installed.
Definitely get a geo done whatever bushes you fit. Mine was a set up, then the guy doing the geo mentioned the bushes looking tired, so changed them, went back and it needed adjustment again.
What I found, that by removing the lollipop off the wishbone, you can then exercise the wishbone on the ball joints and check they are fine. Mine were totally smooth and the wishbones didnt need replacing , just the rear bushes.

 

[Ian.newson]

Oh I found this when I was considering a self repair:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Z4-E85-Convertible-2003-2009-Front-Lower-Steel-Suspension-Wishbone-Arms-Pair-/284022868218?var=0&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5338268676&toolid=10044&customid=Cj0KCQjwwLKFBhDPARIsAPzPi-LxyJxSr-YggJK_gV2pw0hVlBlO6dFw0JW5jzzuCFf7U0iO_qum26saAiPrEALw_wcB#vi-ilComp

This seems fairly easy and cheap to do myself? So presumably I'm missing something!

Yep, the Bush at the end of the wishbone that actually needs replacing :wink: :wink:

Thanks, would this do the trick?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/333373673893?_trkparms=aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20200818143230%26meid%3D1ce7a442610f4b1dbdc128670e664195%26pid%3D101224%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D5%26sd%3D284022868218%26itm%3D333373673893%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DDefaultOrganic&_trksid=p2047675.c101224.m-1

 

[enuff_zed]

Oh I found this when I was considering a self repair:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Z4-E85-Convertible-2003-2009-Front-Lower-Steel-Suspension-Wishbone-Arms-Pair-/284022868218?var=0&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5338268676&toolid=10044&customid=Cj0KCQjwwLKFBhDPARIsAPzPi-LxyJxSr-YggJK_gV2pw0hVlBlO6dFw0JW5jzzuCFf7U0iO_qum26saAiPrEALw_wcB#vi-ilComp

This seems fairly easy and cheap to do myself? So presumably I'm missing something!

Yep, the Bush at the end of the wishbone that actually needs replacing :wink: :wink:

Thanks, would this do the trick?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/333373673893?_trkparms=aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20200818143230%26meid%3D1ce7a442610f4b1dbdc128670e664195%26pid%3D101224%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D5%26sd%3D284022868218%26itm%3D333373673893%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DDefaultOrganic&_trksid=p2047675.c101224.m-1

From what you're saying, I thought you only needed the separate bits (known as lollipops) at the rear ends?

 

[Ian.newson]

Yep, the Bush at the end of the wishbone that actually needs replacing :wink: :wink:

Thanks, would this do the trick?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/333373673893?_trkparms=aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20200818143230%26meid%3D1ce7a442610f4b1dbdc128670e664195%26pid%3D101224%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D5%26sd%3D284022868218%26itm%3D333373673893%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DDefaultOrganic&_trksid=p2047675.c101224.m-1

From what you're saying, I thought you only needed the separate bits (known as lollipops) at the rear ends?

When I spoke to the tester he said he was sure the bushes were worn but that when they were replaced he expected that some of the play would be from the wishbones, so he suggested replacing the lot.

 

[enuff_zed]

Thanks, would this do the trick?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/333373673893?_trkparms=aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20200818143230%26meid%3D1ce7a442610f4b1dbdc128670e664195%26pid%3D101224%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D5%26sd%3D284022868218%26itm%3D333373673893%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DDefaultOrganic&_trksid=p2047675.c101224.m-1

From what you're saying, I thought you only needed the separate bits (known as lollipops) at the rear ends?

When I spoke to the tester he said he was sure the bushes were worn but that when they were replaced he expected that some of the play would be from the wishbones, so he suggested replacing the lot.

Ah yes, kind of what I hinted at earlier.
Make sure you get a proper alignment done afterwards too.