loose front end after tow

Lento · 06-11-2022, 08:32 PM

I recently had a AAA-dispatched tow truck pick up my car after I blew a flat. The driver hooked the winch to the tension struts (while saying, I don't really like this) and pulled the car onto the flatbed.

After a few days of driving, the front end of the car feels very loose and the steering is much less responsive. Nothing is visibly damaged, but I am thinking that the tension strut bushings were affected by the tow.

Seem like a plausible hypothesis? I'm taking the car in for inspection in eight days, so I can ask my mechanic, but I'm also considering contacting AAA and/or the tow company directly.

SilverSlug · 06-12-2022, 01:27 AM

Why not have the driver use the tow hook in the bumper?

Lento · 06-12-2022, 04:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverSlug

Why not have the driver use the tow hook in the bumper?

Embarrassingly, I wasn't sure how it worked

boba-fett · 06-12-2022, 05:30 AM

Sounds like its damaged the bushes. I would complain about Mr "I don't really like this" and get them to change what he hooked up to.

There is a perfectly good front and rear screw in toe eye for this kind of incident!

Lento · 06-12-2022, 07:41 AM

I feel foolish for no insisting on the tow eye. I had been on the side of the road and just wanted to get home. The driver also couldn't operate a manual transmission and asked me to put the car partway onto the ramp - this should have been my first clue not to defer to his judgement.

I'm researching upgraded suspension components - any opinions on, or experience with, replacements for the tension strut and bushings would be very welcome

DrFerry · 06-12-2022, 10:39 AM

Happy to help, but I'm not sure what you mean by "tension strut?" Do you mean the under hood strut brace or the McPherson struts?
Additionally, what bushings are you referring to?

Ohlins, Bilstein or Koni make excellent McPherson strut replacements. Bushings should probably remain OEM to preserve NVH unless you plan on tracking the car.

Please elaborate more and/or include some photos of suspected damaged components.

Something is probably either bent, loosened or both. Be sure to get damage estimates because the tow truck driver incompetence possibly makes them (him) liable. Tow truck companies carry insurance for exactly these sort of cases and situations. Alert your own insurance company as well by providing a written report to your insurance agent.

Let us know and keep us updated.

Note: learn how to install the tow hook in either bumper and where it is located in the car.

spammysammich · 06-12-2022, 10:51 AM

@DrFerry

DrFerry · 06-12-2022, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spammysammich

@DrFerry

Holy sh1t they towed it with those! They're aluminum.. Probably well bent, toe messed up or maybe broken. Thanks for clearing this up and educating me. I would've called that part the bottom arm or bottom link.
.

Lento · 06-12-2022, 11:11 AM

Yep that's it. It's funny, sorta, because I can see a bright mark on the strut (which everyone but BMW seems to call a control arm, since that's what it is) right next to the little sticker with the no towing symbol.

I called them up and they sound much more cooperative than I feared. Taking it to their shop tomorrow afternoon. Hoping they replace it, give the new guy some shit, and we all move on with our lives.

DrFerry · 06-12-2022, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lento

Yep that's it. It's funny, sorta, because I can see a bright mark on the strut (which everyone but BMW seems to call a control arm, since that's what it is) right next to the little sticker with the no towing symbol.

I called them up and they sound much more cooperative than I feared. Taking it to their shop tomorrow afternoon. Hoping they replace it, give the new guy some shit, and we all move on with our lives.

Document by photos what you're seeing before taking the car back to them.

Lento · 06-12-2022, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrFerry

Document by photos what you're seeing before taking the car back to them.

Good call. Will do.

nycplumber · 06-12-2022, 12:03 PM

This has been discussed on here previously I believe. 100% they are bent and need to be replaced. Consider buying the GAS ones thay come with the monoball in there already

DrFerry · 06-12-2022, 12:11 PM

Just in case you might need the documentation later.. Here's the towing method(s) information taken from the BMW E9X M3 Manual. Towing companies should be aware of this..
.

Lento · 06-12-2022, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nycplumber

This has been discussed on here previously I believe. 100% they are bent and need to be replaced. Consider buying the GAS ones thay come with the monoball in there already

Is this the same product as the Turner branded assembly?

nycplumber · 06-12-2022, 04:32 PM

GAS is much higher quality and still uses OEM arms

https://germanautosolutions.com/stor...ntrol-arms-v2/

amrazM · 06-13-2022, 06:36 AM

alot of tow drivers lash onto the tension arms because its the lowest visible point in the front therefore easiest to hook onto. old school bmws used to have a label on the arms saying "no lashing"

Lento · 06-13-2022, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nycplumber

GAS is much higher quality and still uses OEM arms

https://germanautosolutions.com/stor...ntrol-arms-v2/

Ordered, thanks for the recommendation

Hivand_M · 06-13-2022, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lento

Ordered, thanks for the recommendation

You will be very happy with this upgrade!

06-11-2022, 08:32 PM	#1
Lento Private 27 Rep 77 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW E93 M3 6MT Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Vermont iTrader: (0)	loose front end after tow I recently had a AAA-dispatched tow truck pick up my car after I blew a flat. The driver hooked the winch to the tension struts (while saying, I don't really like this) and pulled the car onto the flatbed. After a few days of driving, the front end of the car feels very loose and the steering is much less responsive. Nothing is visibly damaged, but I am thinking that the tension strut bushings were affected by the tow. Seem like a plausible hypothesis? I'm taking the car in for inspection in eight days, so I can ask my mechanic, but I'm also considering contacting AAA and/or the tow company directly.
	Appreciate 1 DrFerry6731.50 Tweet Quote

06-12-2022, 01:27 AM	#2
SilverSlug Hey, where have you been all my life? 682 Rep 1,400 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 6MT Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: San Francisco, CA iTrader: (2)	Why not have the driver use the tow hook in the bumper?
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06-12-2022, 05:30 AM	#4
boba-fett Major 1831 Rep 1,072 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: England iTrader: (0)	Sounds like its damaged the bushes. I would complain about Mr "I don't really like this" and get them to change what he hooked up to. There is a perfectly good front and rear screw in toe eye for this kind of incident!
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06-12-2022, 07:41 AM	#5
Lento Private 27 Rep 77 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW E93 M3 6MT Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Vermont iTrader: (0)	I feel foolish for no insisting on the tow eye. I had been on the side of the road and just wanted to get home. The driver also couldn't operate a manual transmission and asked me to put the car partway onto the ramp - this should have been my first clue not to defer to his judgement. I'm researching upgraded suspension components - any opinions on, or experience with, replacements for the tension strut and bushings would be very welcome
	Appreciate 1 DrFerry6731.50 Quote

06-12-2022, 10:39 AM	#6
DrFerry Field Marshal 6732 Rep 1,829 Posts Drives: '08 E92 M3 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Greenville, SC iTrader: (5) Garage List 2008 BMW M3 [5.25] 2015 BMW X5 [4.50]	Happy to help, but I'm not sure what you mean by "tension strut?" Do you mean the under hood strut brace or the McPherson struts? Additionally, what bushings are you referring to? Ohlins, Bilstein or Koni make excellent McPherson strut replacements. Bushings should probably remain OEM to preserve NVH unless you plan on tracking the car. Please elaborate more and/or include some photos of suspected damaged components. Something is probably either bent, loosened or both. Be sure to get damage estimates because the tow truck driver incompetence possibly makes them (him) liable. Tow truck companies carry insurance for exactly these sort of cases and situations. Alert your own insurance company as well by providing a written report to your insurance agent. Let us know and keep us updated. Note: learn how to install the tow hook in either bumper and where it is located in the car. __________________ '08 E92 M3 DCT Melbourne Red/Bamboo Beige Leather/EDC/SSP Spec-R DCT clutch discs/SSP Pro-Gold DCT Fluid/Quaife LSD/3:45 Final Drive by Diffs Online/BE Bearings & ARP Bolts/Vibra Technics Engine Mounts/M3 World HFC X-Pipe/LUX H8 180/BPM Sport DCT Tune/PFC Z-Rated Pads/ECS Brass Brake Caliper Bushings/Alex Shop Solid Sub-frame Bushings/Motul 600/Tint
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06-12-2022, 10:51 AM	#7
spammysammich Major 1606 Rep 1,128 Posts Drives: 2009 E92 M3 Dakar Yellow II Join Date: Oct 2021 Location: Edmonds, WA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW M3 [10.00]	@DrFerry Attached Images
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06-12-2022, 11:11 AM	#9
Lento Private 27 Rep 77 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW E93 M3 6MT Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Vermont iTrader: (0)	Yep that's it. It's funny, sorta, because I can see a bright mark on the strut (which everyone but BMW seems to call a control arm, since that's what it is) right next to the little sticker with the no towing symbol. I called them up and they sound much more cooperative than I feared. Taking it to their shop tomorrow afternoon. Hoping they replace it, give the new guy some shit, and we all move on with our lives.
	Appreciate 1 DrFerry6731.50 Quote

06-12-2022, 12:03 PM	#12
nycplumber Major 687 Rep 1,231 Posts Drives: slow Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: nyc iTrader: (0)	This has been discussed on here previously I believe. 100% they are bent and need to be replaced. Consider buying the GAS ones thay come with the monoball in there already
	Appreciate 1 DrFerry6731.50 Quote

06-12-2022, 12:11 PM	#13
DrFerry Field Marshal 6732 Rep 1,829 Posts Drives: '08 E92 M3 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Greenville, SC iTrader: (5) Garage List 2008 BMW M3 [5.25] 2015 BMW X5 [4.50]	Just in case you might need the documentation later.. Here's the towing method(s) information taken from the BMW E9X M3 Manual. Towing companies should be aware of this.. . Attached Images __________________ '08 E92 M3 DCT Melbourne Red/Bamboo Beige Leather/EDC/SSP Spec-R DCT clutch discs/SSP Pro-Gold DCT Fluid/Quaife LSD/3:45 Final Drive by Diffs Online/BE Bearings & ARP Bolts/Vibra Technics Engine Mounts/M3 World HFC X-Pipe/LUX H8 180/BPM Sport DCT Tune/PFC Z-Rated Pads/ECS Brass Brake Caliper Bushings/Alex Shop Solid Sub-frame Bushings/Motul 600/Tint Last edited by DrFerry; 06-12-2022 at 12:52 PM..
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06-12-2022, 04:32 PM	#15
nycplumber Major 687 Rep 1,231 Posts Drives: slow Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: nyc iTrader: (0)	GAS is much higher quality and still uses OEM arms https://germanautosolutions.com/stor...ntrol-arms-v2/
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06-13-2022, 06:36 AM	#16
amrazM mTekMods 2161 Rep 2,912 Posts Drives: like a granny. Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Manhatan iTrader: (1)	alot of tow drivers lash onto the tension arms because its the lowest visible point in the front therefore easiest to hook onto. old school bmws used to have a label on the arms saying "no lashing" __________________ 2011 Frozen Black/Fox Red E90 M3 650+WHP G-Power Supercharged First DCT to Manual Conversion Worldwide KW CS, BBS RI-A, BW Headers, Snow 2.5
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