Wondering front end?
 

We have a 2006 e53 3.0d with Sports/Premium pack.
168 20" rims all round
240,000k's

Ever since i got in this car 2.5 years ago, the front end has always had a very different feel, a heavy feel.
You always had to muscle it to some degree while driving.
Then it started to really pull off the road, bumps or whatever, would grab the steering, you really had to DRIVE the car.
I always put it done the massive wheels and tyres fitted and firm as a rock sports suspension.

Thinking it was the worn tyres, we replaced them.
At the time, i asked for an alignment, but the guy gave me some story about he didn't have the shims he needed??

The old tyres wore very even.
These new tyres, now with 10,000k's, also wear very even.

The new tyres seem to fix/improve the steering
But in the last 3 weeks, the vehicle has gone back to its old ways.
In fact, it almost feels like something is disconnected in the front end.
It will track straight, then almost fold and pull away left or right, depending on road camber.
It will do this quit quickly.

There is no shudder under braking
It doesn't pull under braking

Now, being its a 2006, i'm sure none of the bushes have been replaced.
And i know for a fact it hasn't had a front end alignment in 2.5years.

So i guess i am starting with an alignment.
Question, would anyone like to add or have any advise on my symptoms?
Can anyone do an alignment on these vehicles or is it a BMW thing?

Lastly, is there any front end experts in Melbourne or Geelong that might be a great place to take the vehicle

Thanks :)

Sounds like your car is a little newer than mine but has more k’s (same model & suspension but mine has 19” wheels).
I replaced the tyres on mine about 8 weeks ago and got a wheel alignment at the same time.
I had it done by the local Tyrepower store who seemed to know what they were doing, although I understand these are a franchise so some stores might be better than others.
My old tyres were wearing the insides slightly on the rear but the fronts were wearing pretty straight.
The rear wear issue was apparently caused by a toe alignment which was corrected, and they also adjusted the castor on the front which was also out.
This has transformed the car and it’s much nicer to drive now.
I know castor issues on the front can affect the way a car drives and turns into corners, and how easy it is to keep in a straight line at speed so this might be you issue. I’m told that incorrect castor doesn’t have much impact on uneven tyre wear
I would start with an alignment and see how that goes.
I have read about suspension bushes wearing but mines got about 205K on the clock and according to the guys at Tyrepower doesn’t have any issues with worn suspension components. I expect this possibly has more to do with where the car has been driven and whether it has been used a lot for towing. Mine has been used predominately for long distance highway trips without towing since new.

Hey Jamie

I reckon take it to Pedders for their Free Suspension checkup. They'll probably pick the eyes out of it - but I reckon your front end issue will be lower control arms or caster arms. My money is on lower control arms if you say it isn't shuddering under light braking.

Thanks mate, will do.
I didn't even think of that.
Great idea!

EDIT: Oh, is that the $28 Tech Check?Tech Check and Report | Pedders Suspension

Is that what they call the Free Inspection now days?

Ok, its booked in for a 4 wheel alignment Monday (Not at Pedders)
I guess that is a baseline, and shall go from there.

Oh and just did some reading on the Pedders $28 Tech Check.
Can you imagine what they would do to a BMW owner... ouch!

Yeh that must be the one - the price of inflation!

Hopefully the alignment fixes it, but I'm sceptical. These big cars are hard on suspension components and they will let you know about it once they go out.

In Geelong, I'd take it to Pedders ideally because they know suspension and will have modern machines. Bob Jane or The Tyre Factory will have modern machines to do the alignment but they won't know suspension, their core business is just to spin tyres on and off all day - in fact they'd probably more than happy to tell you everything is fine so that you trash another set of tyres and they'll see you again in another <5k!

Yes, i could even take it into the Dealership in Geelong.

Ditto...my first inclination for a w a n d e r i n g front end would be to check the steering linkages like the control arms. Alignment would be considered after checkng/replacing any control arms or ball joints in the front suspension...which would then not put the cart before the horse. If alignment doesn't fix the issue and you have ball joints going bad in the front steering linkage system...you''ll need to have the front end realigned.

Checkout this write-up about a wandering front end in relation to bad control arms: BMW Control Arm Replacements & Upgrades | Turner Motorsport

In the diagram below of the front suspension....its the bushings in the traction struts (#6), and the wishbone (aka lower control arms #10) that fail and can cause front end instablity:

Thanks SilverQ, appreciate the detailed explanation.
Yep, i have almost no doubt that will be the issue.

Well the Verdict is in. Inspection done.

Upper Rear "control arms" if that is what they are called, maybe they are a linkage?

Jacked vehicle up, rear wheels had totally visible play (I moved the wheel as he looked, it was shocking to say the least, like a shot wheel bearing it was that bad).
RR had Vertical play
LR had 8 o'clock to 2 o'clock play

Both caused by the same component bushing

Replacement part RRP $700ea (so he said)
This guy said he can get them for $170ea (so he said)

Checked front end, rock solid.
Checked tyre wear, suggested a few more pound air pressure in the fronts.

The part was not available on this page: BMW E53 Control Arm Replacements & Upgrades | Turner Motorsport
So i'm not sure where to look.
And i'd only look for interests sake, the business was super friendly and straight up, very honest people.
Be more than happy for them to use their parts.
Parts on the shelf in Melbourne, complete arm with both bushings fitted.

Then aga

in, if this is the parts, then i am getting raped a bit hard
BMW E53 Control Arm Replacements & Upgrades | Turner Motorsport

The part he pointed to, is more the top components in this listing though.
BMW X5 E53 REAR SUSPENSION WISHBONE UPPER LOWER ARM HEAVY DUTY LINKS BALL JOINT | eBay

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwNVgxNj...UP6eN/$_57.JPG

Another link showing the part.
Rear Upper Axle Strut Control Arm Guide Rod Guiding Suspension Link for BMW E53 | eBay