How can you tell dog bones are worn?

[Russell]

How can you tell if they are worn? Is there some visual way? For example, when my rear wheels are off the ground, it looks as if the dog bones are deformed or slightly twisted/changed angle. Is this correct? This a bit hard to describe. Even so, the "boots" around them do not appear broken.

I thought about replacing them as I understand they do "wear/fail" and affect handling and increase what appears to tracking/wandering issues. Parts are about $80 through BMA. Just do not want to spend $$ if not needed.

Thanks,

[632 Regal]

have fun installing them properly too! cant use soap or anything like that or they will pop right out, it doesnt sound like an easy job but I'm sure we have all done worse. I dont know how to tell if there worn but if they look good chances are they may still be.

[Jeff N.]

The pitman arms are generally replaced when the boots tear. This allows water & dirt into the joint and it wears out (loose).

Jeff

[632 Regal]

sure about that? I have been snoozing lately...

[Uncle Paully]

when i was getting my car checked by a bmw only mechanic, i asked about a tear in the plastic part of the "bones" and he told me not to worry. he said they can go a long time before needing replacement and that i would hear a clunking in the back suspension when something would need to be done.

i guess that kind of reiterates the usuall around here, we are too stinking anal! myself included.

a mechanic once told me, treat your family nice, not your car. i find that really applies when your praying to meet the engineer who designed a space that only a "mini-me" could love.

[Robin-535im]

Most things don't fail 100%, they just degrade gradually until they don't perform as well as a new piece.

Like Jeff said, torn boots is a good sign they are farther towards the "Failure" end of the spectrum than the "New" end. You will probably notice a difference if you change them, but you will probably not notice any specific problem until they fail completely...

If it were me, I'd put it on my "things to buy from BMA" list and get it next time I had a big order. Putting them on is a breeze.

HTH

Robin

[Russell]

How can you tell if they are worn? Is there some visual way? For example, when my rear wheels are off the ground, it looks as if the dog bones are deformed or slightly twisted/changed angle. Is this correct? This a bit hard to describe. Even so, the "boots" around them do not appear broken.

I thought about replacing them as I understand they do "wear/fail" and affect handling and increase what appears to tracking/wandering issues. Parts are about $80 through BMA. Just do not want to spend $$ if not needed.

Thanks,