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      07-06-2018, 08:23 AM   #1
dmotraz
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Diagnosing suspension problems (after dealer hit me with a $6k service recommendation

Just wondering if anyone has any basics on diagnosing suspension problems or failure.

I was told by my service advisor that my front wheel carriers, bearings, struts, shocks, and steering rack were all in need of replacement.

I can't help but feel I'm being taken for a ride

I've done the standard push down on the front end and observe the suspension travel test, just wondering if there are any other methods I can use to basically go back to them with a "don't B.S. a B.S.-er," response

additionally this dealership informed me that I would experience cupping on my front tires because of the problem, but a clueless (or I'd like to believe extremely kindhearted, mechanic) left one of the official spec printouts (that I'm not supposed to have) in my passenger seat after my 4 wheel alignment and I noticed I have negative camber on both of my front wheels (the front camber is the only thing out of tolerance on the after adjustment values), strange, might start causing cupping on my fronts.....
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      07-06-2018, 09:16 AM   #2
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Why do they claim are those components in need of replacement? Can they not get the camber into spec? Is there damage? I find the recommendation of wheel carriers and bearings very unusual unless there was significant damage inflicted to the front suspension.

Replacing shocks and struts is reasonable at six years old, but "need" and "recommend" are different things. I don't know why they'd be calling for a rack replacement unless it's leaking or has some other specific problem.

What's very strange is that there is no mention of the suspension arms. Bushings and ball joints are common points of failure, and if indeed there was damage to the front end the arms would be high on a list of suspects for an inability to get the alignment into spec.

Find out why they are calling for the replacement of these specific components and report back. It seems a long and odd list of parts.
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      07-06-2018, 09:26 AM   #3
MightyMouseTech
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Negative camber on the front wheels out of spec is a good thing. And if you got an alignment, they should provide the printout.

What exactly are you trying to fix?
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      07-06-2018, 09:53 AM   #4
dmotraz
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech View Post
Negative camber on the front wheels out of spec is a good thing. And if you got an alignment, they should provide the printout.

What exactly are you trying to fix?
As of now I'm not trying to fix anything, the car feels the same as it did on purchase day.

Also, I've never gotten the full printout when getting a four wheel alignment that's why it was a surprise to me.

I'm just trying to get some additional ammunition for when these service advisors come at me with wild claims.

I've been to 2 dealerships down here in Texas and they've both hit me with some pretty bogus claims (not to mention one of the dealerships didn't even re-install the front air filter properly after diagnosing non-working windshield wipers, they just left it sitting loose with none of the screws even in)

I'm just trying to ensure there's not something I might have missed when I decline those services.
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      07-06-2018, 09:56 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 02Pilot View Post
Why do they claim are those components in need of replacement? Can they not get the camber into spec? Is there damage? I find the recommendation of wheel carriers and bearings very unusual unless there was significant damage inflicted to the front suspension.

Replacing shocks and struts is reasonable at six years old, but "need" and "recommend" are different things. I don't know why they'd be calling for a rack replacement unless it's leaking or has some other specific problem.

What's very strange is that there is no mention of the suspension arms. Bushings and ball joints are common points of failure, and if indeed there was damage to the front end the arms would be high on a list of suspects for an inability to get the alignment into spec.

Find out why they are calling for the replacement of these specific components and report back. It seems a long and odd list of parts.
the only thing the service advisor officially claimed was that my steering rack was bent, which correct me if I'm wrong would mean that I wouldn't be able to turn the wheel to lockout in both directions if its a bend big enough to suggest replacement...
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      07-06-2018, 10:56 AM   #6
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Find a good independent BMW specialist and go there. Sounds like your local dealers are less than ideal places to go for service, and it's worth an hour of diagnostic time to find out what's really going on. Join the local BMWCCA chapter and ask them for recommendations.
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      07-06-2018, 03:39 PM   #7
blue135
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Go with 02's recommendation. Will be much more comfortable using a recommendation from someone who has some of same concerns you do.

And in future, if they do not give you an alignment print out, do not pay. It is your car and they are working for you.
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      07-10-2018, 04:21 AM   #8
juld0zer
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Can you post up the alignment printout? You can black out the dealer name and your details if you wish
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      07-12-2018, 07:12 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dmotraz View Post
the only thing the service advisor officially claimed was that my steering rack was bent, which correct me if I'm wrong would mean that I wouldn't be able to turn the wheel to lockout in both directions if its a bend big enough to suggest replacement...
Nah you can still drive around with messed up suspension components it's just not safe! I actually used to have a slammed Honda cut springs, bent tie rods and best of all a broken steering rack all because the guy that owned it before me wanted to slam the car, it was slammed but drove like shit. I took it in for an alignment and the dude lifted my car into the air then proceeded to freak out on me because it was such a pile of crap and said the steering rack was toast and that he wouldn't drive the car around in the condition it was. Didn't align my car and charged me 10 bucks for wasting his time LOL. A few days later I got rear ended by a box truck on the I15 in San Diego and the car was totaled...

Like other members are saying take your car to get a second opinion.
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