Control arms

[gwinder]

The stealer told me some time ago the control was loose. Car was driving fine so I thought it was just him trying to make a few bucks. Anyway, he also told me the front brakes needed replacing....10,000 miles later he was right. Just finishing up that job...have to replace one of the calipers. Anyway, one thing I noticed before doing the brakes was a vibration in the steering which I attributed to the brakes but now I'm thinking maybe the control arm does in fact need replacing becuase in addition to the shimmering, I could feel a clunck as the wheel rotated. How does one know if the control arm needs replacing?

Thanks,

Gary

[X5SA]

I had the same symptoms as you, it turned out to be a bearing of some sort. The dealer discovered this after replacing the ball joints, control arms, steering column, shock mountings and wheel bearings. Luckily it was under warranty so I didn't pay a cent and got pretty much a new front end setup.

Hope this helps with your diagnostics.

[gwinder]

Yes...that helps with my diagnostics alot...sounds like I need a new car!

I'll wait for some others to comment. Since the dealer told me it needed replacing I'm hoping that's what it is.

thanks for the suggestions.

Gary

[gwinder]

Anyone had to replace the control arm? How did you know it needed replacing? Gary

[bimmer]

Took my car in for the 20K mile oil change and told them that my driver's side control bushing was bad. They looked at me, like usual, with "we'll make that decision ourselves" . . .

Got a call back, with the expected, "can't reproduce the customer's complaint with front bushing issue . . . . "

Go in and show them that turning the wheel causes a noise from the front wheel. Still not sold . . . took the master tech on a drive and tapped the brakes very quickly and lightly at a slow crawl, which produced a "thump" and a wiggle in the steering wheel. This got their attention. Bushing being replaced tomorrow.

Try this with your BMW technician . . . . good luck!