w84me

Hi Guys,

I've been researching and searching the forum to learn more about control arms and control arms bushing. My SA indicates the bushing needs replaced - $725. Ouch! I've seen price quotes all over the place in the forums, but can't seem to find anyone that followed up with what they actually ended up doing about the situation (dealer or 3rd party) or what they paid for repairs.

I have a few questions:

1. Can the bushing be replaced only or does the whole control arm need replaced?
2. What prices are people actually paying to have this performed?
3. Which part in the diagrams below is the control arm?
4. Anyone have a good recommendation for 3rd party BMW repair in Austin, TX?


Here are some pictures from other posts, but I'm not sure which part it is: ( From: https://5series.net/forums/topic/863...l__arm__st__15 )

Diagram 1:



Diagram 2:



Over at www.getbmwparts.com they seem to indicate that the bushing can be purchased alone, but all of the threads I have seen say the dealer will only replace the entire part - anyone have clarification on that? Here is the getbmwparts diagram which says #3 is the bushing.



Link to getbmwparts search results for control arm bushing

Howitzer

In the very last attached image of your post I believe the control arm is fig: 2. The bushing, I'm really not sure.

1. Can the bushing be replaced only or does the whole control arm need replaced? You can replace one or the other, or both. Usually only the lower control arm is what needs replacing. Your best source for parts is Garry from Newport BMW or www.getbmwparts.com a division of Tischer BMW. Both offer discounts to our forum members.
2. What prices are people actually paying to have this performed? I believe this is a 2-3 hour job for both L and R combined. So price depends on labor cost of the shop.
3. Which part in the diagrams below is the control arm? See above
4. Anyone have a good recommendation for 3rd party BMW repair in Austin, TX? Can't help you there.

turboawd

in diagram#1, part 11 is the control arm. 12 and 13 is the bushing that goes bad usually. i beleive you can switch just the bushing, but it might be worth it to just change the whole control arm so that you get a new balljoint too.

w84me

Thanks a ton Howitzer,

getBMWparts indicates 4 part categories under lower control arm:

1. Bushings
2. Front arm
3. Joint
4. Rear arm

Referring to the last diagram in the first post above:

• #2 is front arm - $204 (retail is 256)
• #4 is rear arm - $259 (retail is 324)

I was wondering if parts like these should be replaced in pairs, but it seems my SA is only quoting for one, cause the price seems too low for both, but way too much for only one.

Are you pretty certain it is a 2-3 hour job for both arm replacement?

w84me

Thanks turboawd - we must have been posting at same time when I was replying to Howitzer. I'm guessing an alignment needs to be done too, oops, I forgot about that part in my earlier post to calculate pricing.

$256 each side ($512 both)
1.5 hours each side x 90/hr = $135 each side ($270 for both)
$120 for alignment

would be 256+135+120= $511 for one or 512+270+120= 902 for both (tax is 8.25% here) so something isn't adding up.

Do you know average cost to have the entire arm replaced? My SA is quoting $725, Howitzer thinks both sides can be done in 2-3 hours.

stoic1

There are a couple of independent shops in Austin to get quotes from: http://www.bimmershops.com/near/austin-tx/.

bajanbanker

As mentioned, Garry or Tischer is the way to go for parts. I replaced one control arm last summer and had to replace the other side within a year (part #4 above - rear arm). From my experience it makes sense to do both at the same time. In terms of timing, any competent shop should be able to replace both arms in 2 hours max. Good luck.

w84me

Thanks for all your help guys - I'll report back once I get more definitive info. SA only emailed me late Friday so I didn't really have good info to go on. But it is such a costly procedure I'm sure people will want to know in the future.

BTW I have a question on Steering Column Lubrication over in DIY if you guys can help with that : https://5series.net/forums/topic/972...n-lubrication/

Thanks again!

05545i

Control arms are easy to change. An hour for both sides with a lift. Alignment is not necessary, but would not hurt. You can also change the bushings themselves. I believe they are 90$ each and need to be pressed in.

gautoatx

Definitely suggest getting shopping around for another quote or checking out a BMW specialist around atx to get better details on cost for this.