View Full Version : Whoops


Erik206
02-10-2007, 12:30 PM
I damaged my suspension last weekend by sliding into a curb, I’m unsure of the exact velocity of the car at the time of the accident but it must have been at least 25 mph. It was enough speed the car jumped well over the curb slid across some grass and ended up in a parking lot. I called AAA then hopped under the car to see the damage.
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In addition to the other components destroyed it also appears I bent the bracket that holds the control (arm marked in diagram), though I’m unsure what it is called.
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I got a flatbed tow truck and we slid the car up (with a block under the damaged wheel and some WD-40) and towed it to a local repair shop. My problem is this shop seems to have very little idea of what is going on, and are borderline incompetent. Then when I tried to get their opinion they were not really taking me seriously, probably because I’m in high school, and refused to show me the parts list from the appraisal that I paid for GRrrrrr. It seems to me with the correct tools I could replace at least a few of the components damaged, actually prior to the incident I was contemplating replacing the bushings on the front control arms myself. Anyway my question is if you think it might be feasible to do at least some of the work myself or if you know of any good shops in the <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Seattle</st1:place></st1:City> area.

Erik206
02-10-2007, 01:19 PM
Well okay I guess that didn't really work without my pictures. I got message with the thread
"You are currently not allowed to post URLs, images or smilies ... your account does not have the necessary permissions to do so."
So if i'm not currently not allowed, how do I know when I am? I looked in the User CP and found nothing. Thanks
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kromdom
02-10-2007, 01:24 PM
welcome and bummer about your accident. need a minimum of 20 posts to get upgraded privleges.

you can SEARCH here: http://www.e38.org/ for a DIY on front end work and so much more

sleepy740
02-10-2007, 02:10 PM
Well okay I guess that didn't really work without my pictures. I got message with the thread
"You are currently not allowed to post URLs, images or smilies ... your account does not have the necessary permissions to do so."
So if i'm not currently not allowed, how do I know when I am? I looked in the User CP and found nothing. Thanks
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email me the pics at sleepy_at_csu@yahoo.com
i can post pics for you
sorry about the accident

BMW5868
02-10-2007, 11:12 PM
You can check out the suspension parts on http://www.realoem.com/bmw/select.do generally a hit this hard could require replacement of strut, knuckle and hub, maybe a control arm and tie rod end. make sure they put the car on an alignment machine and get a print out to make sure suspension is in spec's after repairs or you'll be burning tires off.

sleepy740
02-11-2007, 02:59 PM
erik206 emailed me the pics, here they are


http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i287/sleepyatcsu/IMG_0128.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i287/sleepyatcsu/IMG_0121.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i287/sleepyatcsu/IMG_0104.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i287/sleepyatcsu/FrtontSusp1.jpg

Dave McLaren
02-12-2007, 02:15 AM
While you're contemplating the obvious damage, be on the lookout for more subtle damage. Our 7 had an incident, similar looking to yours, and besides the obvious bolt-ons it suffered a slightly bent subframe and we just couldn't get the alignment right. That is, my previous tech couldn't get it right, the next, a big-time BMW shop, replaced a bunch of parts that the previous tech did (replacing new parts, great...). I started feeling like I was the nut case, after the car had gone back several times and they declared it fine - this time, for sure.

I found a new tech, who I've had for about five years now, and he drove the car and in two blocks he knew it wasn't right. Hallelujah! I wasn't a complete whiner imagining things. After 15 minutes carefully inspecting, measuring, studying, he noticed the subframe was indeed slightly bent. Damn! Why didn't the other guys figure that out? Finally, the car was made whole again. Having a really good tech is a Godsend.

Dave