Suspension & Control Arm Bushings
 

Can anyone shed light on what's the best way to renew the feel of the suspension. I know I need shock and and struts on my '02 X5 4.4 w/self leveling suspension. Is it worth puting new springs and or air bags? Is the air bag more important than the pumps that feed into them? I get faults, have them cleared, replaced a sensor, etc.

Aslo, the dealre told me my front control arem busings arm busings ar ebad which I can feel the slop especially in and around the parking ramp and speep bumbs. They quoted me $650 which is par for the cours from a dealer. Is it easy to do for oneself? Is it worth doing any other bushings at 100 k mi even though they supposidly appeared o.k. druing the visual inspection perfromed?

Thank You!

Generally, steel springs last for a very long time. A little sag is just a free lowering job! The air bags are either good or not. If they hold air and all the leveling stuff works, then that wouldn't be the problem.

I would check out the cheaper stuff first, like tie rod ends and ball joints. And the tires. Bad or inappropriate tires will really show up on the X.

And the alignment. This could lead to vague handling.

Are bad bushings really a common problem on the X? They damn near last forever on most modern vehicles.

I suggest you find a good independent alignment shop, check around, and get their opinion. They generally aren't so interested in selling parts and at least you would get another opinion.