[antonisbou]

So i was doing around 45mph with my 2007 335 and i had to slam the brakes. Next thing i know my thrust arm is broke in 1/2!!!!

Anyone seen this before?!?!?

[avocet]

Holy crap!

That is frightening.

[antonisbou]

Will i need to replace both?
Is allignment necessary?

Who should my family sue if this happens again and i die?? BMW? The aftermarket rotors? The brake pads?...this is ridiculous!!!!

[jwzimm]

You assume this was due to a manufacturer defect. Those sit in, quite literally, the line of fire of any piece of road debris out there. The best thing you can do is have the broken parts looked at by an expert. There would be evidence of a defect in the failed parts if there was one. There would also be evidence of an impact if that is what cased it.

Any time you replace suspension components you should complete an alignment.

[benjlv]

this has to be a manufacturer defect if you havent run into anything. BMW would probably be extremely interested in seeing this part.

[Gamboa989]

It happened to my brother while driving my car. He hit a small pothole while turning and snapped it in half similar to yours.

[CALWATERBOY]

Originally Posted by antonisbou

Will i need to replace both?
Is allignment necessary?

That is a piece of bad luck. Answers:

Yes
Yes

On the upside, a good time to buy M parts, all 4 arms.

Blessed be the man who doeth M, for Delrin shall be with him, and righteous is his camber.

.

[pits200]

Thrust arm replacement shouldn't require an alignment.

[CALWATERBOY]

Originally Posted by pits200

Thrust arm replacement shouldn't require an alignment.

It might not.

It might.

How worn were the bearing surfaces? New unit won't be....alignment is cheap insurance and a chance to confirm good settings.

[Avenged328i]

Holy!
That sure is scary.

I replace my arms not long ago and I did get an alignment.
Is it needed? No, but I needed one anyway so I got one done at an Indy shop for $120

[antonisbou]

Thabks for the responses guys. My warranty that i purchased through financing the car will cover thrust rods for both sides and the alignment. I will have to pay 250 deductible though which is not that bad.
It is very scary and i still think that it might be a manufacturers defect because all i did was slammed on my brakes-no potholes.
What do you all suggest as far as getting that broke rod inspected and possibly filling a claim theough BMW?!?

[Casca]

Originally Posted by antonisbou

What do you all suggest as far as getting that broke rod inspected and possibly filling a claim theough BMW?!?

I'm not sure they really owe you anything. It's a 7 year old car. That damage could have been initially done years ago by you or the previous owner in a situation unrelated to manufacturer defect. A crack just waiting to become broke.

[antonisbou]

True and rational. Wish i was the original owner ha!

[Denny347]

It would be extremely difficult to prove a manufacturer defect on a suspension part that is 7 yrs old or that BMW is culpable for your life if it breaks.

[David1]

Damage was done to the arm at some point. Also, if the car gets towed or chained from this arm it will stess it and damage it.

[ajsalida]

OP, would also recommend you go through the rest of the suspension front and back and look for any more damage.

[HighPSI]

I wouldn't pay the $250 deductible...get m3 front arms...well worth it

[Casca]

This is the break that had me worried. Not sure if it got as much viewing as it should because it was posted in the California section

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=911197

I just got my new lug bolts in 2 days ago. Not really thinking it will shear like his, but whatever. $55 for a set of OEM for peace of mind.

Also glade I am in the process of replacinf damn near every single thing on my suspension anyway and that I didn't go with pressing in new bushings on my old arms.

[CALWATERBOY]

Originally Posted by antonisbou

Thabks for the responses guys. My warranty that i purchased through financing the car will cover thrust rods for both sides and the alignment. I will have to pay 250 deductible though which is not that bad.
It is very scary and i still think that it might be a manufacturers defect because all i did was slammed on my brakes-no potholes.
What do you all suggest as far as getting that broke rod inspected and possibly filling a claim theough BMW?!?

Chances: slim to none.

'Sides which, prob cracked some time back, propagating to the break under the recent event. Road debris or old age; both. BMW warranty long gone.

[Blackhawk36]

Originally Posted by antonisbou

Thabks for the responses guys. My warranty that i purchased through financing the car will cover thrust rods for both sides and the alignment. I will have to pay 250 deductible though which is not that bad.
It is very scary and i still think that it might be a manufacturers defect because all i did was slammed on my brakes-no potholes.
What do you all suggest as far as getting that broke rod inspected and possibly filling a claim theough BMW?!?

The warranty isn't helping you very much. Two new thrust arms cost $212 on line. Install is about 20minutes each.

[Casca]

Originally Posted by Blackhawk36

The warranty isn't helping you very much. Two new thrust arms cost $212 on line. Install is about 20minutes each.

That's assuming they actually use a good brand. They may very well put in something like meveotech or Dorman parts which are @$53 per arm and that's prices anyone can get.

Should demand they put in actual BMW parts OP....don't even listen when they say "OEM like". Unless it's TRW, Meyle HD or Lemforder. Maybe Febi too? (bilstein?) If they use those brands, not too bad a deal considering a good alignment will cost @ $100 and up.

But if they try something like Meveotech, Dorman, URO, Moog and then have their own shit shop align it for you........argue with them

Broke because of fatigue, car must have had a rough life, I've seen control arms break like that on Topgear when the guys drove one of the cars off road for one of the massive journey episodes they do.