Uneven Tire Wear and Swaying to a Stop

[freshwun]

I have a 2008 X5 and I have some uneven wear on my tires so I went in get get an alignment check. Mechanic tells me my front bushings are also worn out causing a forth and back motion when I come to a stop. I have noticed this similar symptom now that it was mentioned. Are these the front thrust rod bushings that need to be replaced? Are these also called lower control arm bushings? I read it's rather easy to replace the whole thrust rod arm but wanted to make sure this was the issue.

Thanks,

Doug

[ard]

Originally Posted by freshwun

I have a 2008 X5 and I have some uneven wear on my tires so I went in get get an alignment check. Mechanic tells me my front bushings are also worn out causing a forth and back motion when I come to a stop. I have noticed this similar symptom now that it was mentioned. Are these the front thrust rod bushings that need to be replaced? Are these also called lower control arm bushings? I read it's rather easy to replace the whole thrust rod arm but wanted to make sure this was the issue.

Thanks,

Doug

Yes, they are called lower control arm bushes, thust arm or tension arm bushes - depending on the car. I think X5 says Thrust amr.

You can replace just the bushing...or the whole arm.

You DIYing?

When you do the alignment tell them to set the toe at 0.02 EACH wheel.

[freshwun]

Where can I buy these besides going to the dealer?

I read there is an upper and lower control arm on each wheel. How do I tell if they are bad or not?

Thx.

[ard]

You do a search. You find people posting about them. Then you find a DIY here or on bimmerfest...then you find there are websites where dealers sell online parts at far less than your locak dealer...you go to their website...you enter your year, model. etc...it tells you the part number. You search Google with that part number to see if it is cheaper...you decide if you want OE or aftermarket/OEM. You order them.

If your mechanic said lowers are bad, why not replace that first? Uppers should last 100k+ IMO

[blue dragon]

Its going to be the lower control arm or tension strut as its called. The bushing goes bad and this is what is causing your issue. You can remove the arm (its a DIY), and get a new bushing pressed in.

I did mine a few weeks ago, but chose to go with new arms to save the hassle of pressing a new bushing it. It won't take you more than 2 hours to do both sides. If you chose to do just the bushings, you can find them here

BMW E70 X5 xDrive35d M57 3.0L Suspension Bushings - ECS Tuning

The entire tension strut with new bushings and ball joints is here
BMW E70 X5 xDrive35d M57 3.0L Suspension Control Arm - ECS Tuning

[ard]

Originally Posted by ard

You DIYing?

There is a reason we ask certain questions....

are you DIYing? Do you have a bushing press? Do you have a ball joint tool? Are you somewhat competent or does this push your limits?

This will tell us to recommend the bush or the whole arm.

95 for each bush vs 260 for each arm. ($190 vs $520)

If you are at 120k+ miles I might do the whole arm.
If you are 60-80, do the bush. In another 60k then just replace the whole arm.

[freshwun]

I may diy because I'm not sure if the mechanic will be changing the right part. There seems to be multiple names for one part so there may be confusion on which part he is actually replacing. The quote says front lower control arms. I will be purchasing the whole tension strut.
Found this which should give the correct terminology RealOEM.com - Online BMW Parts Catalog
#5 is what I will be purchasing

Thx for the input.

[freshwun]

I see a bunch of different vendors that make tension struts. Any recommendations besides oem?

[ard]

That is the correct part for a lower control arm. AND it is THE one part that usually wears out. Very common. So I wouldnt be concerned that you have the wrong item.

I like OE. (We dont really know who is the OEM for the OE part...there are many companies that make suspension parts for BMW.... and many of them will make a version of the control arm. Which of the OEMs make THAT part for the E70 is, AFAIK, unknown.)



Lemforder is what I use if not OE. I buy a bunch fro fcpeuro

[josiahg52]

Originally Posted by freshwun

I see a bunch of different vendors that make tension struts. Any recommendations besides oem?

I think you mean recommendations other than OE, as in factory original and branded BMW. I don't know who the OEM is for the E70 control arms but I wouldn't hesitate to install Lemforder or Mahle components. I'm partial to Lemforder myself; work great on my M5.

ETA: Maybe TRW if, like, my control arm exploded in the middle of nowhere and that's all the shop had. I wouldn't feel terrible about that.