Do I need my Control Arm Bushings replaced?
 

Upon braking, especially at low speeds (and hard braking) I hear a thud / clunk. These seem like classic signs of cracked control arm/thrust arm bushings... Can somebody confirm this?

Also, what is a fair cost to pay an indy to replace the bushings in the control arms.

Lastly, anybody know which part number to buy? How can I tell when looking for bushings whether it's front vs rear control arms. There are also two control arms in the front right? Upper/lower? Which one usually causes this clunking noise?

Thanks!

What's the mileage on your '04, and have you ever done them before? You might want to consider just doing the entire 'tension strut' as BMW calls it, since there's a ball joint on the other end that's likely worn as well.

good luck.

Mileage is about 155k. I doubt they've been done before. I've owned the car 3 months and have done several major repairs including transmission servicing (fluid, pan/filter), disa valve rebuild, and VANOS seals replacement.

I'm in the process of trying to sell the car so the cheapest fix for the clunking would be ideal. I had a buyer back out today for that reason.

As for the part that fails/ causes the clunking, is it the control arm with the ball joint facing up? Or down?

I'm thinking about just replacing the entire thing like you mention, I just want to be sure to buy the right part.

wow many questions in such a small post! lololol
I also have a 2004 525i


I just replaced the two control arms on each side.


Your discription is the exact sign of a worm bush
you can tell by testing a few ways


first jack the car up and take your wheel off and you will see the bushes worn and check the ball joints while you are there
second
get someone to drive your car while you are walking next to the front wheel.
you only need to go slow
get them to stop and you will hear clunk and know its a bush


last
simply grab the front wheel while the car is in park and rock the car front to back
you will feel and hear the worn bushes clunk clunk clunk


If you are handy with a spanner its an easy fix nd just a few hours on a sunny sunday morning
you can go onto youtube and there are many examples of people doing it


depending on your model E60 you can get the parts on ebay and they range from about $150 for a full set to $$$$$$$$$$$


so its hard to say what a mechanic will charge you but here is a rough cost
parts lets say $350
labor maybe $300 to $400
alighnment $100


part numbers for mine were 31126774826 , 31104026720, 31126760184 , 31126774826

Is this the job I'll need to do? Pelican parts is calling it a tension strut. BMW E60 5-Series Front Tension Strut and Bushing Replacement - Pelican Parts Technical Article

https://cdn4.pelicanparts.com/techar...mall/pic04.jpg

Yeah, I think I'll end up tackling it myself -- although if I go to replace the bushing route, I'll need to get access to a press.

I'm pretty handy with a wrench and don't mind DIYing.

These are 3 different parts -- the first and last number are the same here.

It is way easier to just replace the entire thing. It requires removal of the part to press them out but with that many miles there is no telling how bad the ball joints are. If you are selling the car all you need to do is replace them with the cheapest option out there. You can find all four really cheap on ebay. I would also suggest replacing the sway bar links really cheap as well.

I just copied them off my receipt without noticing that


I bought a set for $150
they work great


if you want to know the part numbers for your car go to this web site and you can put in the last 7 digits of your body number and then find any part number you want for your car
RealOEM.com - Select Your BMW Model


but you can just buy a set of ebay which is easy
remember when you do it to tighten the bushes under load or you will ruin the bushes real fast


my friend didnt do it and he had to do it again 6 months later


Its a real easy fix so dont be worried about it

Would this suffice for both front axle control arms?

BMW Front Lower Control Arm Kit Left & Right Premium HD E60 (4pcs) | eBay

Or this? Which includes the 4 control arms + sway bar links?

BMW E60 525i 530i 545i 550i NEW 6 Front Control Arm Sway Bar Link 31126774825/81 | eBay