md750i

Gentlemen , wanted the forum’s opinion , 2009 bmw 535xi lci , Maryland Driver and this winter has been really cold I have noticed that on very cold days when I would go over a speed bump I would hear a dull “creaking sound” .. this leads me to believe that is it’s the lower control arm bushings that need to be replaced .. Anyone have this done yet ? my steering is fine and still tight and straight If I do this I was thinking about replacing the entire arm that way I get a new ball joint also I’m at 52,000 miles right now seems a bit premature to do this but wanted the forums opinion on whether I should try to just replace the bushings ? or the entire control arm .. ?

KyleB

I replaced the entire arm on both sides, I'd do the same if you're at that mileage.

md750i

Any one know if the car has to be realigned when i change the controll arms ?..

hks

the reason bushings are made is for them to be changed. if its just the bushing then change them and save yourself the expense.

hks

realign ...yes

07 525i in TX

FWIW, I had the exact same problem on an E46 3 series. Turned out that the lower spring perch was shot, not the Lower Control Arm Bushing. To find it, I had the car up on a rack and had an assistant bounce the rear end of the car up and down. You could put your finger on the spring and feel the vibraton that accompanied the creaking sound. LCAB was fine, it was the lower spring pad. I looked on realoem.com and I think the part number is 33531133671. It's about 8 bucks. Might be worth investigating.

tonyb635

I would just go with new arms with a ball joint. The arms are aluminum and although you can replace them, I hear only once though, why bother? You think your bushing might be getting weak I bet the ball joints are too...

texasmr2

The only reason a suspension part, such as the a-arm, should be replaced is if it was damaged. Replace the bushings not the entire assembly.

KyleB

Or if the ball joint is worn, as the ball joint is NOT serviced independent of the control arm.

DanL

I decided to replace the arms since the cost difference was negligible and it's a lot easier and quicker to simply swap out the whole arm vice taking the arms to a shop and getting new bushings pressed in. I picked up decent set of Moog control arms on Amazon for $75 a piece with free shipping. These are R-series (mid-grade, not premium) and have a 3 year warranty verses the lifetime warranty on premium Moog parts. The quality appeared to be very good, they fit perfectly, and in the unlikely event I run into problems with them down the road, it's easy enough to swap them out for something else.