Front Control Arm and Alignment?

[MPDano]

Hello all,

I was wondering if this bushing on the Front Control Arm would cause Alignment shop to not be able to do a front end alignment?

[MINIz guy]

Yea, that bushing looks shot. They wouldn't be able to get consistent numbers every time they try to recompensate the car on the rack.

[jcp240z]

It depends on what is out of alignment. With that said, those are common failure bushings.

[MPDano]

Thanks for the reply guys. We have lifetime alignment on this car. I took it in a few months back to get front and rear alignments. I left it there all day only to get a call late afternoon that they couldn't because the front bushings were shot.

I just did the upper/lower rear control arms and carrier bushings since the car sqeeked so bad. Noise is now gone but now that rear needs an alignment. It was also the first time I looked at the front end to verify the alignment guys statement.

Front tires are wearing fine for now. Gonna get the rear aligned tomorrow and order those front end control arms. Never ends with this X5

[semcoinc]

I'm installing polyurethane right now and yeah that bushing is beat to heck and doesn't owe anyone another mile of service life, IMHO. And yeah, that would make an alignment that would hold true nearly impossible. Too much flex at every acceleration and deceleration.





Mike

[MPDano]

Originally Posted by semcoinc

I'm installing polyurethane right now and yeah that bushing is beat to heck and doesn't owe anyone another mile of service life, IMHO. And yeah, that would make an alignment that would hold true nearly impossible. Too much flex at every acceleration and deceleration.





Mike

Nice, where do you get those? Can you use the old control arm and press in those bushings?

[semcoinc]

I got them off Ebay. They are PowerFlex knockoffs at 1/2 the PF price.

Yes, you reuse the arm, press out the old and press in the new.

Mega PITA pressing in the new PU bushing to get the large edge through the arm.

I am guessing that a newer PF design is a two piece/sandwich affair

Mike

[MPDano]

Originally Posted by semcoinc

I got them off Ebay. They are PowerFlex knockoffs at 1/2 the PF price.

Yes, you reuse the arm, press out the old and press in the new.

Mega PITA pressing in the new PU bushing to get the large edge through the arm.

I am guessing that a newer PF design is a two piece/sandwich affair

Mike

These ones?

BMW E53 E83 X3 X5 - 2 Premium Polyurethane Front Control Arm Bushings 04-10 | eBay

[crystalworks]

I'm using Meyle HD front bushings with good results. Got 11,000 miles on them now and working great. It's a cheaper option (and more compliant) to the PU bushings depending on your goals for the vehicle.

[MPDano]

How are you guys pressing them out? I do have a harbor freight press and a bearing press set as well.

The X5 is my wifes car so not sure if I need to PU's on it. Just a bit overboard for her. Neat idea but yeah kinda pricey.