Anyone ever replaced Rear Control Arm Bushings?

[Overboost]

Thanks everyone. It looks like it comes down to the BavAuto tool on ECS Tuning for $102 or the CTA tool for $130 because of the needed flat edge for our E53. Any further advise on my choice?

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-bav-auto.../b8800028~bav/

https://www.amazon.com/CTA-Tools-869...all+joint+tool

[Effduration]

Originally Posted by Overboost

Thanks everyone. It looks like it comes down to the BavAuto tool on ECS Tuning for $102 or the CTA tool for $130 because of the needed flat edge for our E53. Any further advise on my choice?

Either will do the job.

THE CTA tool has a bearing built into the center where you crank on the hardened nut to press the bushing in or out. I am not sure the Bavauto tool has it.

At the moment, I have 4 cars with these rear ball joints (2 x5's & 2 E39's). I bought the CTA tool thinking it would more smoothly remove/install and might last longer. It worked great the one time I have used it so far. If you go the CTA route, make sure you get a 26mm deep-ish socket or box end wrench to turn the nut.

[StephenVA]

I have the CTA tool and it works perfectly every time.

[Overboost]

Originally Posted by Effduration

Either will do the job.

THE CTA tool has a bearing built into the center where you crank on the hardened nut to press the bushing in or out. I am not sure the Bavauto tool has it.

At the moment, I have 4 cars with these rear ball joints (2 x5's & 2 E39's). I bought the CTA tool thinking it would more smoothly remove/install and might last longer. It worked great the one time I have used it so far. If you go the CTA route, make sure you get a 26mm deep-ish socket or box end wrench to turn the nut.

Exactly the information about the bearing in the tool I appreciate. Is it necessary to remove the swing arm or can it be done by lowering the arm enough to get the tool in place? I would assume removing the lower shock bolt as it becomes a droop limiter? I have the ZSP sport suspension with coils not bags.

[Effduration]

Originally Posted by Overboost

Exactly the information about the bearing in the tool I appreciate. Is it necessary to remove the swing arm or can it be done by lowering the arm enough to get the tool in place?

You do not have to remove the swing arm. If you release spring pressure and unbolt the three bolts I mention above the swing arm will actually slip ABOVE the wheel carrier with the ball joint. You can then remove/reinstall the ball joint from below the swing arm. Levering the swing arm down and back into place took me quite a while. I used a long wooden stake (1-2 inches thick) to lever the swing arm down. I put the lower strut bolt thru the lower strut hole (without strut attached) and used that as a lever point to push the swing arm down.

[Overboost]

My head hurts. This might just be too much to do on my floor in the garage...

[Effduration]

I did mine on the floor of my garage. It's really not that bad. I had read somewhere that getting both sides of car off ground made it easier to re-align everything as the rear sway bay (attached to swing arm) is not under tension if both sides are off the ground, so that is what i did.

[Overboost]

I keep thinking by disconnecting the right side level sensor and removing the lower shock bolts and sway bar links on both sides it would give me the lower control arm droop I need to access the ball joint carriers.

[Fifty150hs]

Originally Posted by Overboost

My head hurts. This might just be too much to do on my floor in the garage...

I did mine on the floor of my garage when I did my suspension refresh. It wasn't too hard. ONCE I got the proper bushing removal tool. Those "universal" tools do not work on our X5's. You have to have a flat side or it won't fit. With the correct tool, it's a snap.

I was in a jam time wise and had to buy this one. Cost is ridiculous, but I'll probably sell it when I someday let go of my X5. If I don't buy another. https://www.ebay.com/itm/For-2006-20...EAAOSwZ7VddDYc

The tool you need is also available super cheap on Ebay. If you don't plan on using it more than once or twice, they're probably OK.

[X5only]

I bought the perfect rear ball-joint bushing removal tool from aliexpress for $63 with free shipping. This is the OEM replica with the flat edge. It arrived in about 2 weeks. Surprisingly very good quality. Bushing out and in within 20 minutes.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3245...43d24c4dzwSi4m

I always check with these guys before buying any expensive tool.