Anyone replace their front bushings lately?
 

Hello all! Well after the addition of the 20" M wheels I installed on my 09' 4.8i, I had to have BMW make some warranty repairs to the ride and while it was in there they went through their normal inspection and said they can't complete a 4 wheel alignment due to the fact that my front lower control arm bushings are too worn. No big surprise considering we are approaching the 100k mile mark on the X5. However, I was just curious what everyone pays for this service to be done to their E70's? I was planning on having a local indy shop make the repairs for me before they do an alignment on it. Any help on a good number to shop around for would be GREATLY appreciated for those of you that have gone through this same ordeal before. Thanks for taking the time to read my post and I look forward to hearing what you all have to say. Cheers!

Not on my E70, but on my E53, replacing just the bushing is costing pretty much the same as replacing the whole arm. Just FYI


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Replaced them under CPO at about 50K if I recall. Started hearing a knocking when hitting bumps.

Yeah I haven't heard any knocking noises or anything but I'm still willing to make the repair because I don't want to blast through my new tires.

You can replace just the bushings, but it means getting the tension struts out, pressing old bushings out and new in. So most replace entire struts (=arms), which is an easy diy.

That's good to know for future reference, however I recently moved (for work) from my house in Scottsdale, AZ to a small town south of Houston. Unfortunately, my tools are still in storage so I can't make the repairs myself this time around.

I dunno what they will charge for labor. One place here eyeballed $200 per side, other wanted 2.5 hrs per side as they wanted to remove output shaft. I diy'd 30 mins per side.

Most indie shops charge you about 90-130 in Houston and many of them will not let you bring your own parts but if you read one my other posts about you leveling the rear end and going to Tanaka Motors/Exceed in spring branch/memorial area they are a great shop - I've gone there many times over last 7 years when I don't feel like doing anything. I have no idea what part of town you are in but NW call Lucas German Auto and ABR, West area Tanaka or F2 but I have no exp w/F2 and I didn't like the guy over the phone so...didn't care for them.

I have done Thrust rod arms, lower control arms, tie rods and end links many times. I'll do it for you in my garage I can use the extra cash, have all the tools and follow all torque specs etc.

Best/Cheaper to buy your arms vs. time/effort take yours off get bushing replaced. put back etc. You are at 100K...My lower control arms (not thrust rods) are on the 3rd set and mine is an 08 w/88K.

I'm in the NW area hit me up on PM. Seriously...I'm sure others can vouch for me on here but one day I will upload all my 1000 DIY pics - I normally don't do DIY posts b/c there's enough out there plus videos but also I have zero time maintaining 3 old BMW's and now a Land Cruiser w/3/5Yr old kids...

Good luck otherwise if you decide on a shop...you're looking at probably 3-4 hours max to be on safe side.

Just read your other post...how far south...trying to remember shops if any...

Repair info:

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The trust arms with the bushings cost about $250 both sides from fcpeuro (OEM lemforders).

And then I'd take up MAK3N3 on his/her offer.

Thanks bud...even the Meyle Thrust rods/Tension struts are on clearance for $54 on FCP that's a steal!

The Meyle Lower arms are $113 not bad either...I have no issues as I have used most those Meyle, TRW, Lemforder etc, even OE BMW where I've gotten good deals or just wanted an OE part.

BTW - A HIM :)

Asudevil - for whatever reason my long as PM back to you does not show up in my sent folder :dunno: LMK and I will write you back...

bushings
 

Funny i just had my 08 x5 3.0 in the shop for a coolant leak and they did an inspection on the whole truck and found a whole in radiator and also needed to Replace front thrust bushings, torn (Front thrust bushings beginning to show evidence of dry-rot) $763.46 just to replace the bushing another $1276 for the new radiator... i only purchased this truck from them in january lucky for me i got the extended warranty that BMW was offering through a 3rd party CNA and they covered it all i just had to pay a $200 deductible

Was that cost Thrust Rod Bushings only or Whole Arms intact? Just curious...

thrust bushings only just looking at the bill the parts are 264.46 and the labor was $419.40

i also had them preform a fuel injection cleaning service that cost me $209

Just got a set of bushings for $68, next weekend is time to change them (and the brakes and the Left wheel bearing.....)

My right front lower control arm failed at 50K miles and is a common problem on these vehicles. I was told my CPO warranty wouldn't cover it, but my brochure indicated bushings were covered so they good willed it. Shortly after that my upper right strut tower bushing went out, making a loud banging sound whenever I hit a small bump or stopped hard. I have a feeling that when the right control arm was reassembled, it was over tightened. BMW wouldn't cover that, I ending up replacing both upper and lower strut tower bushings, another common suspension problem on X5 E70 models.

This thread reminded me I've been wanting to do this for a while now to alleviate a mild clunking in the front. I just happened to check BavAuto and the Meyle HD's are on sale for $54.11 each!

Link?
 

By chance, do you have a link to these? I was looking on their website but couldn't find the deal you were talking about. Any help would be awesome! Thanks!

That's because I checked a bunch of places and it's actually FCPEuro. DOH!

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...ly-31126773950

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...ly-31126773949