ZeroDfx

My 2008 550i sport needs a suspension refresh and I'm thinking about replacing the front control arms myself using the Meyle kit from FCP Euro.
It's been a while since I did front end work on my old E39 and I remember having trouble getting the upper thrust arm bushings loose and ultimately had to get professional help.
Has anyone done this work on their E60 and how easy/difficult was it to swap out all these parts.
Here is the link to the control arm kit I'm referring to: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...08piecekit1-my
Your assistance is appreciated.

seanjordan20

I just did a complete front-end and rear-end refresh including the struts. Those are not hard at all to do. I would say before you tighten the bushing side down get it ride height then torque down otherwise you'll be replacing them sooner than you think.

twh

I've done it on my 2006 530xi. If you are using this kit, it has new bushings so there is no need to press out the old ones and in the new ones. Also, since you are replacing it all, you don't have to be kind to the ball joints and that helps getting it all apart. I don't know how the ball joint goes into the 550 knuckle, but that was the hardest part on my 530xi. I had to beat the crap out of the ball joint cup to get it out of the knuckle. Pretty sure you'll need some new bolts as some of them are one time use. You'll need a high range torque wrench to get it tightened according to spec. Make sure you have the front on the ground or on ramps or raise up the rotor when you do the tightening or you will ruin the bushings fast.

ZeroDfx

"I had to beat the crap out of the ball joint cup to get it out of the knuckle."

This was the problem I had on my E39: I couldn't dislodge the upper control arm from the socket; I broke 3 pickle forks trying to pry the arm apart and finally had to surrender..
Do I need any special tools the get things apart or put back together (besides the torque wrench which I have)?
Thx