I know I'll get some flak for this...Any difference in performance between the BMW OEM control arms which are about $180 and the $50 from ebay? EEEK!!!

 

BTW is it necessary to change the tension strut as well or just the control arm? I'm trying to chase a slight vibration at 47mph.

 

The tension strut is usually the part (see posts above, the larger curvy part) that causes vibration, actually the tension strut's bushing, so you can just press-in new bushings alone and solve vibrations.

Of course there might be. Shouldn't be a problem using the cheap stuff though. Wow, if that thing broke though, you'd go off the road out of control steering. Since we've never heard of any NHTSA warnings against the cheap ones, maybe they are OK.

 

and this is why it's always a good idea to use OE stuff for critical suspension components. why take a chance?

 

torque specs anyone?

 

I own a shop and am about to do this procedure on my E61 535i xdrive.

I'll post up the full procedure directly from alldata tomorrow for anyone looking for spec/procedure/torque values etc..

Someone mentioned urethane bushings from two sources... Any chance those guys have bushings for the whole front end? I've got every took you could dream of to make this job a breeze so would love to swap all bushings to urethane and be done....

 

Thanks for the lead on these urethane bushings! Just ordered them for my E61 and got the tension struts and rear upper and lower mount bushings (I think.. ) basically I bought everything they offered for the E61 and I went ahead and sent my tax ID to become a distributor so I can offer you guys a group but setup.. Just my way of saying thanks for the great info you guys provide even though I only lurk occasionally and scan the sale section.. I do appreciate what you do and hopefully this helps someone out..
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No idea just yet what the final offering is, waiting on the email from Jon.. I believe it's something like 5% off their eBay prices but not sure.. Doesn't sound massive but they aren't expensive in the first place, and they likely don't have crazy margins like some companies... (Cough AEM... COUGH..)

 

Awesome thread. Who's selling urethane bushings?

 

As to bushings probably best to go with Powerflex. They make bushings for both the upper and lower front control arms, and it is important to have the urethane bushings on both of those control arms.

There are many places that offer them. They are very good quality.

As to control arms advertised on eBay be careful. Most of those are poor Chinese quality that won't last 40,000 miles.

Meyle and Febi/Bilstein are very good products.

No need to pay the huge sum for the so called "oem BMW' arms either.

I was told that BMW is now also having products made in China, and that many vehicles coming to or assembled in the US are done so with Chinese made parts but that cars in Europe are made with only German made parts.

For what it is worth

 

What brand and where did you order from? I can't find any front urethane bushings for an LCI E61 535xi.