Anyone ever replaced Rear Control Arm Bushings?

[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.

[X5only]

Originally Posted by 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.

Looks like the vendor has a presence on ebay with even lower price at $52 with free shipping.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Supercrazy-...kAAOSwed9dtebU

[Overboost]

Originally Posted by X5only

Looks like the vendor has a presence on ebay with even lower price at $52 with free shipping.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Supercrazy-...kAAOSwed9dtebU

OK, I pulled the trigger on that one. For $50, I'll give it a try.

Now I still need to get a proper tool for the rear lower control arm inner bushings. Anyone have tool recommendations for that one?

[Fifty150hs]

Originally Posted by Overboost

OK, I pulled the trigger on that one. For $50, I'll give it a try.

Now I still need to get a proper tool for the rear lower control arm inner bushings. Anyone have tool recommendations for that one?

Save yourself a lot of heartburn. Do what I did. Take it to a machine shop with a press. Yes, it cost me a little money, but I didn't have the heartburn of having to deal with fixing things or getting a replacement part after I effed it up. Pulled the arms, took them and the new bushings to the machine shop, dropped them off and picked them back up a few hours later. Money well spent and time saved.

[bhennrich]

Originally Posted by Fifty150hs

Save yourself a lot of heartburn. Do what I did. Take it to a machine shop with a press. Yes, it cost me a little money, but I didn't have the heartburn of having to deal with fixing things or getting a replacement part after I effed it up. Pulled the arms, took them and the new bushings to the machine shop, dropped them off and picked them back up a few hours later. Money well spent and time saved.

Are you suggesting pulling the spindle carrier for having the ball joints replaced? Because that is what everyone for the last 25 posts has been talking about. If it has to do with my original post about the lower control arm bushings, they are easy to do if you have a press and follow the compression instructions given here and or the other included thread on how to press them. If you don’t have a press you can not do the bushings at home.


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[Fifty150hs]

Originally Posted by bhennrich

Are you suggesting pulling the spindle carrier for having the ball joints replaced? Because that is what everyone for the last 25 posts has been talking about. If it has to do with my original post about the lower control arm bushings, they are easy to do if you have a press and follow the compression instructions given here and or the other included thread on how to press them. If you don’t have a press you can not do the bushings at home.


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I'm not referring to the ball joints. They're easy with the correct tool. I'm talking about the swing arm bushings that have to be compressed before being pressed into place.

[Overboost]

You're right, I need to do this right instead of trying to make it a one day project. Certainly if the lower arms are completely off, I should have a straight shot at the ball joints.

I need to find a local auto/race machine shop close by that I can schedule with. The X is our daily so I have to limit the downtime.

[X5only]

Originally Posted by Fifty150hs

Save yourself a lot of heartburn. Do what I did. Take it to a machine shop with a press. Yes, it cost me a little money, but I didn't have the heartburn of having to deal with fixing things or getting a replacement part after I effed it up. Pulled the arms, took them and the new bushings to the machine shop, dropped them off and picked them back up a few hours later. Money well spent and time saved.

Good advice. That's what I tried but everyone I asked were not willing and wanted to do the whole job or charge more than a couple of $100, more than enough to buy the tools. But if he can find a non-automative shop with a shop press, they may not care and charge a nominal fee or probably even do the work for free.

[Overboost]

Originally Posted by X5only

Good advice. That's what I tried but everyone I asked were not willing and wanted to do the whole job or charge more than $100, more than enough to buy the tools. But if he can find a non-automative shop with a shop press, they may not care and charge a nominal fee or probably even do the work for free.

X5only, didn't you do yours with a C-Clamp? I want that tool you used.

https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...swing-arm.html