BMW 530i xDrive Center (Drag) Link Replacement at your home or office.

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Center (Drag) Link Replacement Service

How much does a Center (Drag) Link Replacement cost?

On average, the cost for a BMW 530i xDrive Center (Drag) Link Replacement is $323 with $218 for parts and $105 for labor. Prices may vary depending on your location.

CarServiceEstimateShop/Dealer Price
2017 BMW 530i xDriveL4-2.0L TurboService typeCenter (Drag) Link ReplacementEstimate$560.15Shop/Dealer Price$677.34 - $1010.01
2018 BMW 530i xDriveL4-2.0L TurboService typeCenter (Drag) Link ReplacementEstimate$540.15Shop/Dealer Price$657.36 - $990.04
Show example BMW 530i xDrive Center (Drag) Link Replacement prices

What is the Center (Drag) Link all about?

The center link, also known as a drag link, converts the rotational motion of the steering wheel of a vehicle into the corresponding direction of the wheels when turning. You can find the drag link connected to the pitman arm, which attaches to the steering column. The other end of the drag link connects to the steering arm and eventually to the tie rods, which play a major part in pivoting the wheels that steer the vehicle.

In some vehicles, the drag link connects directly to the tie rod assembly via a ball joint instead of to a steering arm. Drag links come in either a solid single-piece or as an adjustable design.

Keep in mind:

  • In addition to the drag link, our expert mechanic will also check the ball joints connecting the drag link to the pitman arm and the steering arm or tie rod assembly for wear or cracking.
  • Many drag links feature replaceable ends so you do not have to replace the whole part.
  • One of our expert mechanics will also inspect the shocks and struts when checking the drag link to make sure these parts remain in good shape.

How it's done:

  • The vehicle front wheels are turned straight and the vehicle is lifted and supported on jack stands
  • The defective center drag link is removed
  • The new center drag link is installed
  • The vehicle is removed from jack stands
  • The vehicle is road tested and checked for proper steering operation

Our recommendation:

By following your vehicle's regular maintenance schedule, you should have the linkage beneath the vehicle, including the drag link, inspected whenever you have the vehicle lubed. Most often, though, today's ball joints, tie rods, and other parts are sealed and require little to no maintenance. In this case, have one of our expert mechanics inspect the drag link when performing a tire rotation or change, a vehicle alignment, or whenever your vehicle displays symptoms that might indicate a problem is developing with the drag link or any of its related components.

When inspecting the drag link, the mechanic will look for any excessive play, a strong indicator that the part needs replacing.

What common symptoms indicate you may need to replace the Center (Drag) Link?

  • Vibration while driving
  • Wobbling while driving

How important is this service?

The drag link is an important component in the operation of your vehicle. A faulty drag link can cause your vehicle to vibrate or wobble while driving, affecting the handling, stability, and alignment of the vehicle, making it more difficult to drive. If the faulty drag link is not replaced, the vehicle will eventually become inoperable.

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Excellent Rating

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Rating Summary
6,369
206
60
45
148
6,369
206
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45
148

James

31 years of experience
705 reviews
James
31 years of experience
BMW 530i xDrive L4-2.0L Turbo - Oil Change - Brea, California
Great Service

William

34 years of experience
569 reviews
William
34 years of experience
BMW 320i L4-2.0L Turbo - Check Engine Light is on - Surprise, Arizona
William answered all of my questions, was flexible with the service that he provided, and made sure that I knew what the next steps were. 10/10 would recommend him as a mechanic for my next job.

Andrew

11 years of experience
872 reviews
Andrew
11 years of experience
BMW 740iL V8-4.4L - Brakes, Steering and Suspension Inspection - Kansas City, Missouri
Informative, cost-effective, knowledgeable, professional, courteous, and timely in providing problem diagnosis/cost estimation.

Mark

11 years of experience
349 reviews
Mark
11 years of experience
BMW 330Ci L6-3.0L - Valve Cover Gasket - Mountain View, California
Mark is an exceptional mechanic. It's obvious that he enjoys what he does, and subsequently goes the extra mile for his clients. Luckily for me, he loves working on BMWs! His service is thorough, as well as honest. He won't sugar coat when your car needs extra attention, but at the same time, he directs you on how to create a service schedule that takes care of important things, one step at a time - it's doable, and makes financial sense with your budget. I respect his knowledge and feel that my car is in expert hands, with someone who understands all the factors involved when considering car repairs (for my BMW that I love :)

Excellent Rating

(6,828)

Rating Summary
6,369
206
60
45
148
6,369
206
60
45
148
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75108+
services done by our mechanics
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