Is it the lower or upper control arm that causes shakes
 

I'm getting a shimmy/shake around 68-78 mph. I can't recall if it's the lower or upper arms that needs to be replaced. Had similar issues with my E39 back in the day but I just can't recall right meow.

or can it be tires needing balanced?

Thanks!

or hell, I should just do both huh?


any issues with the rears I should replace. it's a 4.6 with 95K miles.

Thanks!

Lower control arm bushings/thrust arms.....it only shakes under braking.

You may have a tire balance issue.

^^This.

Had the same issue last year, roadforce balance and Powerflex bushings fixed it.

The bushings can be done on the vehicle, about $100 for the parts, $50 for the hyd press.

Its a little hard to say exactly without seeing how your bushings and tires look but in my case even after I replaced the bushings on all arms and front sway bar end links I still needed the road forced balance on my tires. You might need the balancing too if your tires are worn.

Roadforce balancing is a MUST on BMWs.

NO rim/tire assembly is perfectly round, and NO tire has uniform sidewall stiffness/contact patch carcass stiffness around it's diameter.

I have Classic BMW do my mounting/force balancing, costs $120 a pair.

At speeds over 140mph, no HINT of tire shake.

Those who get the $20 Pep Boy special get what they pay for, sub-standard balancing.

Thanks everyone! I went to a local shop that had road force and it did cost more but it was totally worth it. No more shaking from the front but the rear tires will be replaced as it's some no name whatever brand and has a flat spot even though I've been driving her 400 miles each way for work.

Of all different cars I've driven (been renting cars for work before picking her up) everything felt like a car. Driving the X (or an older BMW for that matter), it feels like I'm driving a machine. Ineffable to those that never have driven such a piece of engineering. Don't get me wrong, I still love driving my 95 Bronco and she serves different duties. Difficult not to bring her in the triple digits when everything works right. Dat torque!

I still talk with the first owner of my 2003 X5. His wife insisted on buying an Acura MDX in 2010 because she liked the "edgy" style. They refer to operating the MDX as "steering", operation of the X was "driving".

Both lament moving on from the E53, they test drove a 2014 X5 5.0i last year, both said the vehicle feels numb when compared to their old E53.

I read up a little about these bushings. How are they holding up?

The Powerflex bushings have held up great, just be sure to grease the sleeve well during assembly.

ECS Tuning had the best price when I picked them up last year (got the FULL set, subframes, sways & CABs).