Front end Suspension clanks... Ebay solution?
 

Hi All,

I have been updating my X5 lately with all new parts that wear out... general wear and tear type of stuff and had a quick question.
My front suspension seems to be pretty worn out (a lot of clunking) I took the X5 to a local BMW place to sort out the parts an labor, but that is looking to be too spendy for me. The solution? I bought a 10 peice kit off Ebay that hopefully will work ok. This is the kit.
Anyone here install one of these? Any tips?
http://i24.ebayimg.com/07/i/000/e8/eb/f0f5_1.JPG
BMW X5 X-5 Control Arm Suspension Kit 01 02 03 04 05 : eBay Motors (item 350281872304 end time Apr-19-10 10:22:42 PDT)

There was a recent post or two questioning whether this kit was any good. But of course nobody could speak from experience with it. Post your experience with it after install. I was looking at it too for future front end overhaul.

Only tip I have is to make sure to get it aligned after install but I'm sure you knew that already.

I will be doing the install when I get back from Cali... Here are some pics.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...s/6582b5d1.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...s/50639946.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...s/51283b50.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...s/b3c83c20.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...s/137c8d4a.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...s/e6404b08.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...s/ff4f56aa.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...s/475b052f.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...s/77069dc0.jpg

I just installed most of this kit, at least, I think it was the same...I got mine from FCP Groton, but it looks identical. So far, I've been pleased. I had some issues getting the "bolt on" ball joints out - in fact, I've not done it yet, because the first one I could not get removed. They just pop in, but...mine are very stuck. I'm going to have to work on that. Nonetheless...post results when you're done.

The ball joints have a flanged fitting that gets tighter as the bolt is tightened up. It will require a ball joint puller or a good size hammer. I have some times taken an old nut and put that on the end of the ball joint covering the threads. I then take a large mallet or block of wood and beat it until it gets loose.

I've bought several items from FCP Groton, including front end components and have always been pleased with the items.

Forgot to add that you need to make sure that all the bolts on the front end are tight. might try to find out what the ft/lbs are recommended on each fitting.

you don't want to play around with loose steering items.

Isn't this the company with a German name that sells parts that were manufactured in China and Taiwan?

There have been mixed reviews on Bimmerforums to say the least. Lots of negative comments warning to stay away from them as you will be replacing them again in two to three years. That is only based off what I have read though. I have no personal experience with them.

A little research does seem to confirm that the Hamburg-technic is poor quality. Good luck but do let us know your experience. Your mileage may vary.

hows ur X feels, u think its a great product for a such great price.

I bought this 10 piece kit from ebay, I gotta install it this weekend, does anybody have DIY for it by any chance?
I paid mine 220$, i mean whoever expects OEM quality out of this kit is stupid. Its 220$!! OEM lower control arm costs 150$.
"its only gonna last 2-3 years" - well, more then i expected thats for sure.
I personally think its money well spent.

:iagree: I have a somewhat very low opinion of OEM quality in regards to the parts. I have had a rediculous number of OEM parts failures on my X in it's short life span of 67K miles. Why would I replace a prematurely failed OEM part with another overpriced OEM part that is destined to fail prematurely again?:dunno: Especially when I read several posts on this forum how the part is "prone to failure."

Worst case scenario you are replacing poor quality parts with slightly poorer quality parts at a fraction of the price . . . I'd go for it too!

It seems that all the poor opinions of the kit have come from people who have not tried it but have only heard about it from someone who knows someone who has a friend that said it wasn't any good. Put some miles on it and give us a real review.

I am the one who been running with those parts for the last two years with 48k-50k miles on my X5 and have no problem with it.
My 01 with 170k miles on it ... I think it not worth to put/ install the OEM parts any more.

Smart man!

Update... Got it installed over the weekend. New four wheel alighnment today. The rig is as good as new! Glad I did it this way!

Matt

i had bought 2 lemforder tension struts online a few months ago and they are still sitting in their lemforder boxes and wrapping, I bought them thinking that they were OEM tension struts without the BMW stamp, but now looking at the tension struts that came in your package reveals that they are exactly like yours. It seems I paid a whole lot more just for lemfordoer boxes and plastic wraps.

Any updates of how its going so far? ive had this shutter and vibrations replaced arms and ball joins but now im at 140K and just got balanced but there is a shutter no vibration in the steering its rock solid but there is a shutter from the front and i hear a metal tik tok not form the back latch but definitly from the front so figured I might buy this kit too and do a front end overhaul....so would like to know how many miles have you put and how as it been?

I know you have it already installed but for my two pence worth it looks good to me. Anything manufactured in germany is a sure-fire good bet.. For $240, even if you only get 20k out of one or two of the parts, its still cheap.

Just depends if you do it yourself or you pay the shop to do it. I think thats where the total price/longevity trade-off will come into effect..

Good luck I hope it works out for you.