So I checked out the car today on my lift and my left front lower control arm bushing that connects to the ball joint is broken. It's been making a clunking noise when I stop short and its completely separated. I want to change both sides because the p/s is getting worn. Should I just replace the bushings or the whole arm. I seen that the arm is $270 for one and a bushing is around $50 so i know it's cheaper for the bushing. But do I have to remove the strut to take out the arm because from what it looks like, the arm sits under it and looks like it has to be removed to get the ball joint out. Or can I just disconnect the bushing side and hammer it out and hammer in the new one in. I change rear trailer arm bushings in old body Honda cr-v's all the time at the dealer and we never take off the whole arm, just the bushing side and hammer it out and hammer in the new one.

 

https://5series.net/forums/topic/101...e-and-replace/

https://5series.net/forums/topic/107...1#entry1282333


will do mine soon too since it does have some cracks inside the bushings but will replace the entire arm with aftermarket part...

 

Thanks. The arm I am referring to is the tension one. Where the ball joint sits that the nuts on the bottom. But I see how he removed it without taking out the strut. I'll prob do just the bushings since I have access to a press.

 

+1 on doing the entire arm. I'm sure you can find it much cheaper than 270. Recently swapped both of mine out since i had some cracks int he bushings. Replacing the bushing would just be a headache.

 

Was advised to replace my front ones as well because its gonna go soon. That seems like the ball park price for the OEM control arms.

 

Yea they were oem BMW for that price. Gonna do both arms and I want to buy some coilovers too.

 

Found a set on eBay with a 6 month warranty for 237$ shipped for BOTH left and right tension arms. Gonna order those and just replace my struts/shocks with Koni sports. They are 665$ shipped

 

link to that Ebay set? still debating whether or not to go with OEM or aftermarket.

Thanks

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-F...Q5fAccessories

 

Just ordered both. Came to $220 shipped. Great price.