Front Lower Control Arms

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

A few people have done the bushing replace on the sideways front control arms you can find on xo of you search.

When you can get OEM complete for $80 a pair from fcpeuro.com that's the route I take.

I have impact tools so 20 yr old rusty nuts aren't a hindrance. The job is a good starter job for competent DIY mechanic.

Have a second car handy for "gotcha" happenstance.

Loosen the bushing side first, any twist on the ball joint side can make it really hard to remove.

The trick of apply pressure with a crowbar then hitting the wishbone with a hammer not to pound out but to "ring" like tuning fork is a good tip.

I have to do this same procedure and I don't recall doing a write up.

Alignment is required after the new ones are installed. You can get close with string alignment but getting the tie rods loose can be 8/10 difficulty.

Unlessd you change the inner and outer tie rod distance you shouldn't have to do a realignment.

An X5 does not have a "wishbone" suspension. My Lotus has upper and lower wishbones in the front suspension.

Oh, look someone made a video of removing the tension struct and changing to polyurethane bushing all while doing it on a driveway.
Hey Andrew you have that old set of tension structs that I sold you that can put polyurethane bushing in.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_ekrGlb6To