Has anyone seen anything like this?

[Ash977]

http://sdrv.ms/UPt1xu

[diyanich]

Originally Posted by Ash977

http://sdrv.ms/UPt1xu

[Bulk]

Looks like a tension strut

[diyanich]

It does,but it was probably fitted with a crappy bushing or a whole piece is of a crappy quality.
Quick and cheap fix before sale?

Originally Posted by Bulk

Looks like a tension strut

[Skyline]

Doesn't BMW say you can only change these bushings one time, then you need to replace the arm? Perhaps this is a result of trying to reuse an arm too many times?

Of course there are two other possibilities. Either a massive failure of the bushing, or it was put in by a mechanic who has absolutely no clue.

[Ash977]

I have about 50,000 miles on my car. I had these bushings changed 5,000 miles ago. It was the first time the bushings were replaced along with the ball joints and complete set of lower control arms. Thrust arms were the only parts that were reused. All parts including the bushing were purchased from the dealer. Lastly my mechanic has been working on BMWs for over 30 years. He is telling me he has never seen anything like this.

I had him replaced both thrust arms yesterday. The new thrust arms came with bushings already pressed in them. I hope this doesn’t happen again.

[SlickGT1]

Maybe greased when installed? Also when I did mine, they were clearly black. And I picked it up from dealer myself.

[diyanich]

Good point.

Originally Posted by SlickGT1

Also when I did mine, they were clearly black. And I picked it up from dealer myself.

This question is to the OP.
Tell me,how did you manage keeping those iron pieces rust free?

[Ash977]

Originally Posted by diyanich

Good point.

This question is to the OP.
Tell me,how did you manage keeping those iron pieces rust free?

LOL, I think it is the southern California weather. It is pretty dry… Rarely rains, no snow and no salt on the roads…