control arm bushings? - Page 13

X53Jay4.8is · #**121** 06-23-2016, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OregonDude1

Brought the X5 to the alignment shop as I replaced the rims and tires recently plus the front end felt loose and clunky during quick stops.
The tech indicated the fluid leaked out of one of the tension arm bushings with visible movement and the other side was on its way out and one of the control arm ball joints was loose.

Decided to replace everything on the front suspension and ordered a 10 piece Lemforder kit from FCPEuro. Went with Lemforder as these are identical to the OEM parts and have used them in the past on other BMWs that I have owned with no issues. I have also used Meyle parts on an Audi A4 and experienced premature failure (worn after ~30k) as others have reported.

About 125k on the chassis so I was due for needing a refresh of the front suspension parts...

Fluid in the tension arms? I was not aware that the bushings carried fluid in them? Must have been an engine mount.New news to me

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upallnight · #**122** 06-24-2016, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by X53Jay4.8is

Fluid in the tension arms? I was not aware that the bushings carried fluid in them? Must have been an engine mount.New news to me

Yep fluid in the thrust arm bushings. I installed my polyurethane bushing thrust arms today. Passenger side was a piece of cake, driver side required the removal of the inner fender well to remove the air duct for the alternator so that the long bolt at the sub frame could be removed. I also removed the tie rod ball joint so that my ball joint separator could fit the ball joint at the thrust arm. Took less than a minute to pop that ball joint off the thrust arm.

Tool casualty for the job, lost my 19mm impact socket when it rolled down the driveway and into the sewer, and my 21mm wrench when I snapped the jaw off it while trying to remove it once the thrust arm was torque downed.

MINIz guy · #**123** 06-24-2016, 07:07 PM

Ouch. The dealer tech that previously did the thrust arms some 8 years ago just cut the plastic up so that wasn't needed. Just loosening up the bolts to the fender liner and dropping the belly pan gave ample room to work. Also, the small pitman arm puller from Advance Auto was the perfect fit over the arm; a few hammer taps to set it in place and a quick zip of the impact wrench and the arm was off.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using Tapatalk

OregonDude1 · #**124** 06-24-2016, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by X53Jay4.8is

Fluid in the tension arms? I was not aware that the bushings carried fluid in them? Must have been an engine mount.New news to me

Most of the 5 and 6 series also use fluid filled suspension bushings.
Meyle HD are solid rubber and internet chatter indicates these are more robust then normal Meyle bushings but I decided to with Lemforder based on past experience with this companies products.

upallnight · #**125** 06-24-2016, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MINIz guy

Ouch. The dealer tech that previously did the thrust arms some 8 years ago just cut the plastic up so that wasn't needed. Just loosening up the bolts to the fender liner and dropping the belly pan gave ample room to work. Also, the small pitman arm puller from Advance Auto was the perfect fit over the arm; a few hammer taps to set it in place and a quick zip of the impact wrench and the arm was off.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using Tapatalk

That's why I prefer to work on my cars. Too many mechanics that take too many shortcuts to get the job done and don't care if they F#@k up your car. Bet you he charged you the full book time even though he took short cuts.

upallnight · #**126** 06-24-2016, 11:38 PM

Picture of the thrust arm with the polyurethane bushing installed:

Thrust arm installed:

MINIz guy · #**127** 06-25-2016, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by upallnight

That's why I prefer to work on my cars. Too many mechanics that take too many shortcuts to get the job done and don't care if they F#@k up your car. Bet you he charged you the full book time even though he took short cuts.

Flat rate is flat rate

I didn't mind it as it was super easy to R&R the arms. It took me less than 20 minutes per side to do them.

I used Dorman

arms and bushings when I did mine. They look to be decent quality, made in Taiwan parts. Didn't torque anything down until I had the front axle loaded up with my father sitting in the driver's seat to simulate proper preload. I'll be happy to get 4-5 years out of them.