128I vert needs both fr wishbone dust boots

[Artdnj]

Front lower control arm, ball joint dust boot. Is this something I can purchase on my own? Dealer wants $980 to replace. Note: actual wishbones are fine according to them. THX. any vendor info would be helpful, already reaching out to FCP but hadn't heard back

[scratchgolf135]

Don't believe so but which arm need it (I know you have a 128i but they should be the same) ?

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=31_0813

Edit: my bad, forgot number 11 was actually called wishbone. I have my stock arms ready for the trash if you’d like me to see if the boots are removable. If so you can have them, just cover the small shipping cost.

[BikeNHV]

^ on that same note, if you can get a used arm in good shape why not just swap the whole arm? Then you're not having to mess around with the dust boot, hoping the ball joint itself hasn't been damaged by debris, etc.

Swapping the control arm itself is pretty easy, and many people on this forum (including me) have good used ones sitting on the shelf due to M3 arm swaps.

[scratchgolf135]

Originally Posted by BikeNHV

^ on that same note, if you can get a used arm in good shape why not just swap the whole arm? Then you're not having to mess around with the dust boot, hoping the ball joint itself hasn't been damaged by debris, etc.

Swapping the control arm itself is pretty easy, and many people on this forum (including me) have good used ones sitting on the shelf due to M3 arm swaps.

This is true, you're welcome to the whole arms for free. They had 84k on them and weren't damage in any way. I just went to M3 arms.

[Artdnj]

It's my daughter's car, has 53k on it. Had it to the dealer for a recall and they pointed out a torn boot on the fr lower control arm but said it still has grease. I can get new arms and new bolts through FCPEuro for $182 and there is a mobile mech in my neighborhood (used to be a BMW tech) who can install at a much better price. Thing is, on RockAuto there seems to be front forward and front rearward arms on each side, does this make sense?

I appreciate the offers just weighing my options but may just go with new ones as my research seems to show that the dust boots aren't available for purchase and the labor to remove and replace would be the same. Is there any large risk that the ball joint, or boot would become brittle after such a long time or shouldn't one of your take-offs be a concern?

Is an alignment required after new LCA's? Thanks for the input guys!

[BikeNHV]

Originally Posted by Artdnj

It's my daughter's car, has 53k on it. Had it to the dealer for a recall and they pointed out a torn boot on the fr lower control arm but said it still has grease. I can get new arms and new bolts through FCPEuro for $182 and there is a mobile mech in my neighborhood (used to be a BMW tech) who can install at a much better price. Thing is, on RockAuto there seems to be front forward and front rearward arms on each side, does this make sense?

Based on FCP's site, the lower arm is considered "rearward"

Originally Posted by Artdnj

I appreciate the offers just weighing my options but may just go with new ones as my research seems to show that the dust boots aren't available for purchase and the labor to remove and replace would be the same. Is there any large risk that the ball joint, or boot would become brittle after such a long time or shouldn't one of your take-offs be a concern?

With only 53k on the car, I'd just go new if I were you. I'd happily give you mind but they have 140k+ on them. Worth putting new ones in and not having to think about it for a very long time.

Originally Posted by Artdnj

Is an alignment required after new LCA's? Thanks for the input guys!

Highly recommended, but it won't be "undriveable" bad. You can drive it to an alignment shop at your convenience.