paran

Good luck with that. But for an extra $40-60 you can have the entire assembly ready for install mfg'd by Lemforder via Amazon.

Think twice before attempting to replace those bushings unless you have a press and necessary tools for removal replacement. Once you open the package; you've reached V1.

andymax

Only an extra 40-60 bucks?? Am I missing something, because the cheapest I've seen Control Arm assemblies for is $177 for each side...$354 total. The bushings are 66/set.....that's a diff of $288...not including labor for pushing out and pressing in the bushings. Labor for that can't be more than an hour total for both sides...lets call it $100 on the high side. Still a diff of $188.

I'm serious about this...I need to know if I'm missing something. I am having vibration too and need to get this done. Have been debating which way to go.

RTR

Interested as well.

So the wiggle in the video is not normal? Mine wiggles, but not as much. I feel vibration under braking as well.

Also, it's kind of hard to judge by mileage what needs to be replaced, as driving style / road conditions vary a lot. I think as per BMW ball joint lasts twice as long as the bushing. So you replace the bushing first and when the new one fails, then you replace the whole arm.

My 3 series was at 85k miles when I sold it and had all original suspension components and was tested by a mechanic who confirmed everything was good. In that case, even if the bushing would need to be replaced @ 90k miles the control arm will last until 180k?

best1

Here are what my bushings looked like at 80K. The shop told me they could not be sure about the ball joint until after they removed the tension strut.

travisbickle

The 2008 I just bought has 61,000 miles. There's a bit of play in the bushings and I'm getting some funky tire wear. Before I replace the horrible OEM runflats that came on it I'm going to replace the tension strut bushings. The bushings ($90/pair) can be replaced for a quarter of the cost of new ready-to-go tension struts ($370/pair). IMO it's worth investing $75-100 for the tools needed to do the job, especially if your tension strut ball joints are still good.

I think I can press out the bushing with a ball joint C-press and probably not even have to remove the tension strut from the car. We'll see. I'll post pics when I do the job.

travisbickle

I'm with you...

Where are you seeing the bushings for $66/set?

I'm going to do my front & rear sway bar mounts at the same time. I'd like to save a few bucks on parts if they're OEM.

Rudys/1232

Check the firts page there is a link I'm waiting for my order, should get them today.

paran

I bought all 4 Lemforder control arms (Tension Strut and Wishbone) for $556 bucks. Roughly, $135 each. So we're talking about $270 vs $66 = $204.00 which is more than I had stated. (I thought you meant $66 per side) "IF" you can find a shop to remove and press in the new ones at $100, the difference becomes $104.00

I don't know, provided you are 100% certain there is no distortion in the original arms caused by curbs, pot holes, etc., then it can be worth it. That is $104 dollars.

BMW control arm bushings are notoriously difficult to accurately replace. The forums are riddled with guys who replaced their control arms and/or bushings only to have them fail within 15k miles because they weren't installed correctly. (They blame the manufacturer, but proper installation procedures are a must).

$104, is $104, and that can be a difference. I applaud your efforts in digging deep to save money.

andymax

Where did you buy them for that price?? I've not seen anything even close to that price...Has anyone else?

pjk0159

So it looks like I need to replace the whole control arm. Should I go OEM or Lemforder? Is it because of the cheaper price point? Also, is there anywhere I can find instructions or a DIY on installing the control arms? I can't seem to find any detailed info on this on the forum. Don't wanna under/over torque anything.