control arm bushings?

ake53 · #1 03-21-2013, 03:17 PM

Has anyone experienced the worn bushings. I was told by a shop that
the reason why i feel the steering wheel shake when braking is because the control arm bushings are worn in the front.

any ideas?

Sponsored Links

Ricky Bobby · #2 03-21-2013, 03:21 PM

Tension strut/Thrust Arm bushings are shot.

You can replace the bushings with Meyle HD for about 35 apiece, or replace the whole arm for 110 apiece. If you can press the bushings in and out and have access to a press you can certainly reuse the arm.

I chose to replace the arm on mine when I did my recent suspension work, including replacing the ball joints for the thrust arm, and the wishbone control arms I did at the same time.

Your shop is correct in their diagnosis, shaking while braking.

ukrcan · #3 03-21-2013, 03:55 PM

sounds like it the bushings to me as well... a very common issue with bimmers... i have replaced them on both of my e46s in the past... they normally wear off at around 60K...will be doing front control bushings soon on my X5 too as soon as i can get it in the shop...
I have always just replaced the bushings and reused the arms though. Never had an issue...

X5SND · #4 03-21-2013, 04:17 PM

+1 to the info above.

I have the meyle HD's up front as well, unlike RB I reused the old arms. Either route is fine though!

bigrobtemp · #5 03-21-2013, 08:11 PM

Need control arms too. Have a nice clunk on right side. See arm listed all over the place. Alll kinds of prices. Anyone use ones the would recommend?

ake53 · #6 03-22-2013, 08:14 AM

so everyone is going with Myle brand and no one is telling me to go with the OEM brand?!
what about powerflex???

Bulk · #7 03-22-2013, 08:33 AM

I have the same thing - vibration under braking - replaced the front wishbones with the Meyle HD's. Got worse, I guess because now that they are solid it is making the culprit more pronounced. I'm pretty sure its the ball joint on the upper control arm which I will be replacing soon.

If you can get both front wheels off the ground and get a friend to give one wheel a good left to right shimmy as you have a look at all the suspension parts you'll quickly see which one is bad

Ricky Bobby · #8 03-22-2013, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alex77ae

so everyone is going with Myle brand and no one is telling me to go with the OEM brand?!
what about powerflex???

Meyle makes an HD version which is solid rubber as opposed to fluid filled like OE bushings. Many of the benefits of poly being solid rubber but not necessarily as harsh as poly (its cheaper than powerflex too)

bigrobtemp · #9 03-22-2013, 08:52 AM

Is the meyle a whole arm or just bushing? I have no access to a press. Thanks

Ricky Bobby · #10 03-22-2013, 08:54 AM

its both, you can get the whole arm like i did for about 110 apiece.

As I recommend to you and Alex, if you are going through the trouble to replace the bushings and/or whole arm itself, pay the extra 50 bucks for 2 fresh ball joints (they are pressed into the knuckle and attach on the other end of the control arm), because if the arms/bushings are worn its good practice to replace related wear items in order to avoid future R&Rs

Sponsored Links