Well, we went ahead and bought that 2003 X5 4.4i. We had a PPI done by a BMW specialist, and the only problems he found was leaking valve cover gaskets, and worn thrust rod bushings (aka upper control arm bushings, front control arm bushings, pull-rod bushings, and who knows how many other things it's called :dunno:). It's defintiely #7 in the above diagram, though. So, the car's a real gem - looks brand new, inside and out.

So, looking at the thrust rod (I'll just call it that to keep it simple), it looks very easy to remove, as it's totally accessible. And yet, the quote calls for something like three hours labor, so it can't be that simple. I've done a lot of work on cars in my life, but not a whole lot of suspension work in the last few years. My plan is to remove the thrust rods, and take them to a machine shop to have the new bushings pressed in. What's the trick or tricks to taking the thrust rod out? What kind of tools are needed? Since the ball joints are OK, it seems like the easiest thing would be to remove the two #16 bolts that appear to attach the ball joint to the frame, and then remove the #8 bolt that holds the thrust rod at the bushing end, and drop the thrust rod out. This just seems way too easy. What am I missing? Thanks!

Oh, and in case anybody is wondering what I mean by "Multibeemer," the X5 makes three in our family - a 2007 328i that I picked up for my wife through a European delivery, a 2004 325i that we recently bought for our daughter, and now the X5. And I have a 1992 Porsche 968 that I like to take to the track. I guess we kind of have a thing for German cars :thumbup:

Keep in mind that you can replace the OE fluid filled thrust rod bushings with non-fluid filled heavy duty ones from Meyle (non-poly bushings). I had this done on my X when my new OE bushings failed after about 30k miles. So far so good with the heavy duty units. Only have about 10-20k on them so far.

I just did this myself with the help of a friend who has a shop with a lift. Your description of the repair is right on, thats it. I replaced the ball joint myself and would recommend the same for you since you already have it off. If you do the ball joint you may want to separate it from the arm before loosening the screws for the ball joint. A good smack with a hammer in the right spot will loosen the arm from the ball joint. Also the ball joints use a star shaped socket, but we just used a regular socket just fine.

Then had a shop with a press remove and install new bushings.

I didn't see those before and think they would more suit my liking, but couldn't find them actually for sale online just now... Found them on Meyle's site at least.

Where did you get them from? Can you give me a link?

They are hard to find online. I found them here just now.

https://eactuning.com/hd-control-arm...-x5-p-446.html

I think Bimmerworld and BavAuto may carry them.

My independent mechanic recommended and installed mine. I had not heard of them before.

Thanks, bookmarked link for future use. :D

No problem. Glad I can actually help you out for a change. Even if it is in a minor way. If you get them or find them elsewhere, let me know and definitely let me know what you think after you get your hands on them.

No problem!

The BMW specialist who did my PPI also recommended the Melye thrust rod bushings. I also had to search quite a bit to find them, but I finally found them at www.autohausaz.com. They're part number 31 12 6769 715. Visually, mine actually look like they're not in bad shape, but both the BMW dealer where the car was serviced, and the mechanic who did the PPI, recommended replacing them, so I'm going to go ahead and do it. He said the rest of the front suspension (rear/lower control arm bushings, ball joints, etc.) are all in good shape, though, which I'm very pleased with in a 7-year-old car.

Does anyone know the torque specs on the pertinent bolts holding the thrust rod? Thanks.