eBay for suspension parts E53 4.4i

[Hal88]

Originally Posted by Big Al

If you jack up the X5 and see if there is any play in the control arms. I bought mine at FCP Groton through ebay. Aftermarket lower control arm and had an independent mechanic put it on. No complaints after repair.

I second that, I bought from the same place on Ebay, only the lower control arms, they worked really good. Like $100 for the set.

[flyingmachine]

Originally Posted by Hal88

I second that, I bought from the same place on Ebay, only the lower control arms, they worked really good. Like $100 for the set.

Just want to share some info even though it was about 6 months back thread. In case other fellow members search this thread.

OEM parts is highly suggested. You can actually reuse the tension strut(front upper control arm/thrust arm) and just ask machine shop to press out old bushing and press in new one. Unless vehicle was involved in some accident, tension strut is unlikely out of shape.

However, for the lower control arm(wishbone), you will have to replace a new one since the ball joint is built-in. OEM price on the wishbone is like $200ish. You might be able to get some discount thru online parts. (still like $170 something). So, you might be tempted to shop for aftermarket one since the going price is about $50. I've seen 3 different brands - Febi Bilstein, Hamburg-Technic, and Karlyn/Sti. Some people would say Lamforder but as far as I know they don't do X5 wishbone. Otherwise, Lamforder is your best bet. Here is my thoughts on those 3 aftermarket brands:
Febi Bilstein: Good
Hamburg-Technic: Poor
Karlyn/Sti: Good

Autohausaz sells Febi brand. Most ebay sellers are selling Hamburg-Technic brands. They normally advertise 1 year warranty but most likely, you won't heard anything back from them if you report a failure within an year. It's really hard to find good ebay seller now. There are 2 sellers that people would know - foreingcarpartsonline(fcp groton) and deutchepartsusa. I recommend fcp groton because they have very good customer support and I heard that they have no problem replacing parts failed within an year. They used to sell poor quality Hamburg-Technic parts but now they carry Karlyn/Sti for X5 now. As for the deutchepartsusa, very poor customer service and they won't care if the parts failed within an year. And they're selling Hamburg-Technic brand.

One significant difference on Karlyn/Sti wishbone is that it's thicker even than OEM parts. Looks much better quality and better ball joint. Hamburg-Technic is notorious on their ball joint. Lots of sad stories about their failed ball joints. (Search on E38 and E39 forums. Also one of online Volve forums has lots of info.)

So, try to get OEM parts if you can afford. Otherwise, go with reputable sellers and good quality aftermarket brands (Febi or Karlyn)

[juppalgae]

get it changed for both... because the rubber will wear out eventually. and it seems to me it's just a matter of time for your vehicle.

i suggest you to get the genuine parts on suspension parts as you can not afford to have any cracks or anyother unexpects...

btw, this job is a pian in the ass

[flatlander]

I have 88K miles on my 2002 X5 and I've just started getting a squeaking/moaning sound from the front driver's side. I have already replaced the front control/thrust arm bushings, sway bar end links, and control arms (with bushing and ball joint) prior to getting this new sound. I had the clunking/clacking sound before.

There is no "clunking" noise. Just a squeaking noise at any speed, when turning, and over bumps. It sounds like a rubber squeak. It's very loud and noticeable with the window down.

Any ideas? Could it be in the struts? Sway bar bushings?

[butundo]

Flatlander, that sound like a ball joint. Usually the rubber boot has a hole and leaks out all of the grease. I would check for grease around the ball joint area. I had purchased suspension for my honda on Ebay and within a year, the boot dry rotted and is doing the exact same sound that you have.

[flatlander]

Originally Posted by butundo

Flatlander, that sound like a ball joint. Usually the rubber boot has a hole and leaks out all of the grease. I would check for grease around the ball joint area. I had purchased suspension for my honda on Ebay and within a year, the boot dry rotted and is doing the exact same sound that you have.

Thanks Butundo. I'll have a listen on each balljoint with the stethscope and see which one is making the noise!