Poly bushings
 

Newbie here. Been lurking for a bit since I picked up an 02 X5 from my boss for 500 bucks. 4.4 with 145k miles. Replaced the right front lower control arm (cheap from rockauto), a drivers door carrier (febi-bil from I can't remember where) and got a used seat controller because the steering wheel will not adjust (used,fleabay) but I have not installed that yet. Most of the info came from this forum except I purchased the cheap control arm before really digging in lol.

What I would like to know is where are you getting your poly suspension bushings from? I need to replace both thrust arm bushings and want to go poly after reading about the fluid filled oem type.

Also a question..... Like I said I replaced the right side control arm with a cheapy. It's been great for about a month. Had tires put on it Saturday. Drove it to work Monday and I hear a clunk pulling out of a parking space. Think it feels a little funky turning to the right but nothing extreme. I notice after the sun comes up that my front wheels are cambered out at the bottom. They were straight and true before the tire install/clunking sound. Also when driving home I get the dreaded wheel shake under braking that I thought I fixed with the control arm replacement. I will be checking both sides components tonight after work as well as the torque on the nuts/bolts attaching them but what would cause the wheels to tow out like that? I would understand if the lower control arm ball joints were bad but I know one is good. It might not last long but I'm sure it hasn't failed in less than 2k miles lol. I'm hoping I find out more tonight when I look at it but this has me scratching my head a little.

A little background, I've been wrenching on things since I was a kid. Used to be SAE certified (lapsed). First BMW was (is) an 02 330i (e46). Built a few Ford v8's with some hp. Now I road race an old bike (Honda 900f) that I built. I know my way around a set of tools but by no means know it all lol.

Thanks.

I suggest Turner Motorsport. I installed a kit on a 2006 4.8is and was blown away by the change. I am very satisfied. In fact, a couple people at the shop drove my X and ended up buying the same stuff for their older BMW's. Owner of the shop put them on his X5 after doing mine. I love it.

Sounds like you need a whole suspension refresh. Replacing the front thrust bushings is rather simple once you get the arms out. That's what I elected to do to mine. The poly ones might transmit more noise.

If you're having camber issues, I would start looking at joints and your bearings.

At your mileage you're due for a full suspension refresh. I did mine at your mileage and what a difference. Don't forget to replace your ball joints. You'll need the special tool for the rear ball joints. The universal kits don't work. Go to FCP Euro for your parts. They have a lifetime warranty and as your parts wear out you can replace them for free.

I've put poly bushing on my X. I've bought both Powerflex and Strongflex. Powerflex is twice the price. If you go the Strogflex route get yourself a tube of silicone grease as the grease they supply isn't silicone. They are somewhat noisier than stock. Slightly harsher ride as well, but not a lot. Best part of poly bushings is they last and even if you manage to wear them out they have a lifetime warranty.

i am currently in the process of doing all my bushes i am using strongflex bushes as used on my previous cars with good results , my theory is if you keeping the car for a while go poly bushes.

Hey guys, you might want to look into monoball bushings. As far as i understand, they offer all the benefits without any of the drawbacks. I hear brake feel is significantly improved as well with any bushing upgrade. I am on coilovers in the front, and unfortunately I think running solid bushings would push me past acceptable ride quality with the state of my local roads. As such i use the MeyleHD bushing. Its the same design as OEM except it utilizes solid rubber.

??? Aren't these statements in conflict?

To clarify, I meant solid as in round poly bushings vs. the MeyleHD bushings which although are constructed of solid rubber, are not solid in the sense that they have channels for movement; just as the OEM has channels. I am sure the OEM style rubber is also softer then solid poly. I didn't notice much (if any) change in comfort going from OEM style to MeyleHD. I would think this is not the case when going Poly or Monoball.

Poly:

https://xoutpost.com/attachments/x5-...s-dsc02952.jpg

Monoball:

https://3a663eb0fef48c6d2d60-a88f8eb...2366_x800.webp

MeyleHD:

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/04...g?v=1598568010

Fluid Filled OEM:

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/4dEAA...9Y/s-l1600.jpg

I went with poly and never look back.