About 18 months ago I had my suspension overhauled on my E36, new struts and shocks (Bilsteins), control arms, bushings, rtb's, etc. Over the past six months, however, I began to feel some play in the front end, as well as some squeaking and creaking. When I did my own inspection, I found that my lower control arm bushings were hamburger (something that I thought was replaced, but was not). I had those replaced by a different shop.
The squeaking and creaking never went away and has gotten worse. When I push down over the struct mounts, I can hear the squeaking. As such, I brought it to another shop and was told that my front Bilsteins were shot. Curiously, however, I only have 30K on my new struts. Is is possible that my Bilsteins, of presumably such good quality, are shot? I had thought that it might be the upper strut mount bushings, as those were never repleaced and are still the originals (car has 130K).
Naturally, I have an issue with the shop that overhauled my suspension. As this is not the first component that I have suspected that I might have been screwed on. I can confirm that other parts that I had replaced, were not, namely- lower control arm bushings and radiator (nonetheless radiator was replaced by shop when I came back for third time). Needless to say, I do not trust that shop and am in the process of building a case against the same. Which I will undoubtedly prevail.
Despite the foregoing, any thoughts on the Bilsteins? Do they fail so prematurely? My car is a daily driver and I do not abuse it by way of handling.
Any thoughts appreciated.