Lower control arm bushing replacement?
 

Done the tension strut bushings a few weeks back and it makes a tremendous difference. Nevertheless, when turning and when driving on deep ruts I sense that lateral control is not optimum either. I am wondering if I need to replace the lower wishbone inner bushings as well.

The lower wishbone bushings can be had from BMW for a reasonable amount.

Before I undertake yet more surgery in the front wheel wells (with accompanying back/muscle aches and skinned knuckles...) I was wondering if anyone has actually replaced the inner bushing and if it makes a big change?? Seems easier than the tension struts but still....

Is this what you are considering?

31106771194

Seems a reasonable next guess...how many miles on your 2009?

It's a bit more labor intensive than tension struts. Plus, per the book, you should check/do alignment afterwards.

Also, if possible, before buying just the bushings, remove the arms first to check the ball joints.

Just over 100k miles on the e70. Indeed 31106771194 is the item I think should be swapped next. They are 32 bucks from tisher, so no big load on the pocket book.

The ball joints on the tension struts seemed fine and I don't expect the wishbone ones too be bad.

Accidental double post

Just an FYI but saw this on real oem...seems to be BMW focussing on common parts that would be needed...note the "Value Line" designation...

Just interesting. There are two bushes on that lower arm too...

Value line is a way to get OEM parts in sets, way under their list price. An EU thing, almost unavailable here.

Ok, year later, the tension strut bushings were bad again last summer and I replaced the two struts entirely with OEMs. The knuckles in the lower control arms were in awful shape so rather than replacing the bushings I replaced both LCAs, I believe I used Febi. I was still not completely happy but I had no time for more wrenching.

In the last few weeks the car started to dance really badly going past NIH on Wisconsin Avenue and also wobbled oddly when making a 90 degree turn from a stop. So, I ordered the upper wishbones and finally got around to implanting them. An 8 on a scale of 1 - 10. Not that it is complicated but the nuts are very difficult to access in the engine compartment. The passenger rear is under the ECU so have to go through the wheel well (switched a leaky washer pump at same time :)).

The bolts in the uprights get very oxidized and the knuckle is quite tight in there as well. Judicious use of a torch and a pneumatic hammer to drive the knuckle pin out of the upright are a must. Installed the winter tires at the same time last night and this morning finally got to drive it.

What a difference! No more dancing going past NIH! (I have a twice daily run past there to drop off and pick up offspring so that stretch is the test road....)

Next stop, rear wish bones and ball joints.

It has 205k KM now, about 130k miles, and it runs strong but I am looking to find a '14 or '15 35d with an M package in black or gray (has to have all black interior). (Unicorn alert.....) I will probably transplant this one to Europe soon. We are trying to establish a base there for post-retirement :-)

Funny, on my E39 I did a lot of suspension work over the years. Bushes, struts, etc.

Finally around 200K I did a massive rebuild. Almost $2500 in parts alone from FCP euro. Every wear and rubber part in the suspension/driveline was replaced. Everything. Shocks, struts, bushings, arms, ballpoints, frame mounts, differential mounts, guibo, motor mounts..and on. It was a ridiculous amount of work. Entire exhaust comes out to get at driveline and subframe.

But spectacular results.

;)

I can only imagine how that would transform a 200k vehicle.

Unfortunately I have little spare time as I start a three year contract in Asia next month. Still have to do chain guides and most of the engine gaskets on the e53 so my son can drive it once I am out of town.