Tension Strut (Thrust Arm) bushing Question #SOLVED!!!#

dadysev · #1 02-12-2018, 02:17 PM

Hello. so i know my right tension strut needs to replace (changing both). i basically put pressure on the front of my wheel and push it towards the back and its jiggling a lot more than the left side (I test e46's the same way), and its starting to make the noise going over bumps at certain steering angles.

My question is has anyone noticed at about 40-60mph/(70-120 kmh) slight vibrations when accelerating when they bushings are wearing out?
I thought they were good until i but some wider wheels on which definitely helped to reduce their life.

StephenVA · #2 02-12-2018, 09:55 PM

Heavy cars short life span for front and rear suspension parts 40k is normal on the 4.8 and 4.6is v8 applications longer for the mini mouse motors.

bcredliner · #3 02-13-2018, 01:15 PM

Do you feel the vibration more in the steering wheel or shifter? What year and model is your X5? Suggest you add to signature.

IMO, while there are some locations of the country and/or driver habits that accelerate suspension component wear, the average rebuild cycle here seems to be more like 80-120,000 miles for V8s.

StephenVA · #4 02-13-2018, 01:25 PM

bcredliner
You are probably closer to yours and my life span but in stop and go traffic, heavy right foot, first off the light and last to stop driving mentality i see lots gone or worn at 40-50K. On my own front and rear arms, fronts at 43K and rear now at 60K (Rear are being done as preventive) along with the brake upgrades/rebuilds.

dadysev · #5 02-13-2018, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcredliner

Do you feel the vibration more in the steering wheel or shifter? What year and model is your X5? Suggest you add to signature.

IMO, while there are some locations of the country and/or driver habits that accelerate suspension component wear, the average rebuild cycle here seems to be more like 80-120,000 miles for V8s.

It’s more of a shaking from left to right of the whole front. Not like a bent wheel feeling tin the steering only.
2001 3.0 liter

bcredliner · #6 02-13-2018, 03:36 PM

Hard acceleration is normal other than shaking?

dadysev · #7 02-13-2018, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcredliner

Hard acceleration is normal other than shaking?

Yes

white_335i · #8 02-13-2018, 04:10 PM

Another timely thread for me as I am accumulating parts for the suspension refresh on my newly acquired(to me) X5. Is there a tool out there to replace the thrust arm bushings(other than press) or should I be thinking about purchasing the arm with the bushing installed? Thanks,

dadysev · #9 02-13-2018, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by white_335i

Another timely thread for me as I am accumulating parts for the suspension refresh on my newly acquired(to me) X5. Is there a tool out there to replace the thrust arm bushings(other than press) or should I be thinking about purchasing the arm with the bushing installed? Thanks,

Quicker to change arms than pressing out bushings.

upallnight · #10 02-15-2018, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by white_335i

Another timely thread for me as I am accumulating parts for the suspension refresh on my newly acquired(to me) X5. Is there a tool out there to replace the thrust arm bushings(other than press) or should I be thinking about purchasing the arm with the bushing installed? Thanks,

A sawzall or hacksaw can be used to remove the bushing if you are careful and you can use a polyurethane bushing such as PSB which can be installed without a press if you split the bushing in half. I used the PSB because I wanted to keep my original BMW thrust arm and not a made in China suspension piece.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-X5-E-53...QAAOSw2s1UwZiM