Lower control arm

Has anyone else had the issue of having the car wash damage the lower control arm? The dealer told me that since the lower control arm is only 5" off the ground, the car wash wheel guide on the drivers will scrape, damage and ultimatley force replacement of the lower control arm (over $700 at BMW with alignment). BMW just told me the last time I was there that the driver side lower control arm had been damaged from the car wash guide and I should stop using pull through car washes.

Do we all really have to use car washes that don't pull the car though?

I have heard the same and want to call BS, but I use the "touchless" car washes for that reason and to reduce swirl marks. I have to do a little drying by hand, but since I am in FL, it is not a problem with cold weather.

IMHO, automatic car washes do more damage than they are worth...
Forced water getting in to the wrong places can do $$$ worth of damage.
Bristles of those swirling/rotating brushes create scratches on the paint finish.
It is possible the car wash wheel guide and the pulling mechanism damages the car. Why take a chance?

My suggestion is find a manual car wash with washing wand...

Let me rephrase my question...

For those of us who CHOOSE to use a pull through car wash, has anyone seen this problem arise, or worse, actually have their lower control arm snapped?

Originally Posted by repoman75

Let me rephrase my question...

For those of us who CHOOSE to use a pull through car wash, has anyone seen this problem arise, or worse, actually have their lower control arm snapped?

I had a 530xi for three years. Used a hand wash, pull through car wash. I did hear a rubbing sound, but never had an issue. I still use the same wash for my 535i. No rubbing sound.

Nope, no issue and my car is lowered an extra inch. I guess it depends on the carwash and how the quides are set up.

I did replace both lower control arms and bushings. Whole job was $800 including alignment. Parts came to $500 of that. I used an independent.

Yep - I had to have the drivers side control arm replaced due to damage from car wash. Before I got the car, a local wash posted signs that they would not allow E60/61 with AWD doe to the low control arms. Went to my local "high end" wash, told them of the issue and they claimed their wash would not hurt the car. After 2 years I was getting my car serviced and was told the control arm had been gouged by car wash guides and had to be replaced. I went back into shop and confirmed and BMW stated this on the service ticket. Car wash ended up replacing the control arm and I never went back. Now either wash the car myself or take to dealer who washes for free. IMHO this is a crappy design flaw - I have hit these control arms twice and had to replace one already.

I try my best not to use the pull through washers. I like the stationary ones where the brushes themselves make the pass. My rims are milimeters off the ground, and I know they will not pay for damages. The wheel guides even have a plastic protector on some car wahses which i still don't trust. I try to avoid car washes altogether, but after a rainy day when the sun is out and I drive by a 3 series all shiny, I detour immediately.

Thanks for the feedback.

Additional question - what if the lower control arm does snap while i'm driving? Will I lose control of the car?

No, but you should immediately pull off to the side and call a tow truck.
You still have upper control arms and the other side working intact, so it's not fatal. Just not drivable.

Originally Posted by repoman75

Thanks for the feedback.

Additional question - what if the lower control arm does snap while i'm driving? Will I lose control of the car?

Unless the car is in an accident or in a huge pot hole, control arm is unlikely to be snapped.
This thread is about damaging (malforming) the control arm by the car wash mechanism. Symptoms will show up as uneven tire wear, alignment issues, etc.

Even if one of the control arms is actually broken, there are several other 'arms' holding the steering knuckle/hub. So, you won't loose complete control.