[Dobrin]

Hi Everybody,

I have a 435i xdrive with 81K miles. Just did an oil change at the BMW dealership and they noticed a leaking front control arm (aka tension strut) bushing and recommended replacing both bushings. The interesting thing is that their quote was only $154 for both sides, labor, parts and tax included! I mean, they are replacing the bushings only, not the entire control arms. Given that these parts (Lemforder) with preinstalled bushings are around $85 + tax at FCPEuro, I am wondering, is this a good idea to change just the bushings, instead of buying the whole control arm and sweating changing it myself? Any thoughts/recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Dobrin

[jmanB45]

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=2030442

[Polo08816]

Just replace the entire control arm with Lemforder parts.

You'll get a new ball joint as well.

[Dobrin]

Originally Posted by Polo08816

Just replace the entire control arm with Lemforder parts.

You'll get a new ball joint as well.

Thanks! I was leaning towards that option as well.

The other idea about upgrading the suspension is very tempting. I have a 335i xDrive and a 435i xDrive, and I honestly think their suspensions are horrible (at least a bit of relief is that the 435 has the adaptive one). To me BMW not offering the sports version suspension on these cars is a deliberate act of evil to make people buy the M series. However, these aftermarket control arms are quite expensive and moreover they are difficult to find (for example, the VAC monoball control arms are out of stock).

Anyway, thanks both of your replies for your input and valuable suggestions!

[daveyfx]

My OEM hydrobushings started to leak at around 90k miles.

For the hell of it, I had my dealer quote me to replace those bushings: $950

I ended up buying Myle HD arms and replacing them in my driveway. I don't need monoball components, so the HD pieces appealed to me since they're just rubber bushings -- not hydrobushings like OEM. It wasn't hard at all and if you can do your own oil change, you can absolutely do these.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...hd-31126854723
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...hd-31126854724

If you're x-drive, the front axle has to come out of the hub for clearance. The axle bolts are one-time use, so replace them as well.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...-31206795249kt

FCP has a video that covers it pretty well:
https://blog.fcpeuro.com/how-to-repl...t-control-arms

[pauli18c]

Millway and Turner are other monoball options like VAC.
They make a huge difference in steering input. I love them and wish they came stock

[Dobrin]

Originally Posted by daveyfx

My OEM hydrobushings started to leak at around 90k miles.

For the hell of it, I had my dealer quote me to replace those bushings: $950

I ended up buying Myle HD arms and replacing them in my driveway. I don't need monoball components, so the HD pieces appealed to me since they're just rubber bushings -- not hydrobushings like OEM. It wasn't hard at all and if you can do your own oil change, you can absolutely do these.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...hd-31126854723
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...hd-31126854724

If you're x-drive, the front axle has to come out of the hub for clearance. The axle bolts are one-time use, so replace them as well.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...-31206795249kt

FCP has a video that covers it pretty well:
https://blog.fcpeuro.com/how-to-repl...t-control-arms

Thanks, these are all very useful links! I didn't know that on the x-drive 4series (which is what I have) you need to remove the front axle from the hub to access the nuts. This is a bit worrisome, because I live in New England and the axle might be stuck in the hub (happened on my 335 x-drive, so I ended up taking the axle out with the whole hub and replacing both with used ones when I had issues with the magnetic ring on the axle being corroded and eating the wheel speed sensor). Will educate myself with videos before I attempt it.

About the aftermarket monoballs: I would have chosen them if it wasn't for their price. I am sure it will improve handling, but I can live with the soft suspension since this is actually my commuter car.

Thank you all for your input!

[daveyfx]

Hopefully you won't have issues with axles seized up in your hubs. I'm not quite NE, but my car's been in VA/MD its whole life and, thankfully, mine came right out.

The Myle HDs have been good to me for a year now. Just a slight increase in road noise, but nothing that has been noticeable to passengers. Steering feels a bit more responsive.

[rlesko]

Just FYI I believe TRW is the OE. Not that Lemforder isn’t a reputable brand.

But also, if $154 is their price for everything I don’t see why you wouldn’t just let them do it. You save a small amount of money and your time. You would miss out on a new ball joint but afaik that part of the control arm doesn’t typically wear out on the same interval as the bushing.

They didn’t recommend an alignment after replacing the control arm bushing?

[daveyfx]

You don't need an alignment for just a tension strut replacement.

[Jvac]

Originally Posted by rlesko

Just FYI I believe TRW is the OE. Not that Lemforder isn’t a reputable brand.

But also, if $154 is their price for everything I don’t see why you wouldn’t just let them do it. You save a small amount of money and your time. You would miss out on a new ball joint but afaik that part of the control arm doesn’t typically wear out on the same interval as the bushing.

They didn’t recommend an alignment after replacing the control arm bushing?

Originally Posted by daveyfx

You don't need an alignment for just a tension strut replacement.

The bushing is definitely the weak point, not the ball joint. But like you said, why not get a whole new setup for that low price. Bmw says the bushing can only be replaced twice before the whole arm needs replacing anyway.
And yes, they also say that an alignment is required after the tension strut is removed. Somewhere on here is a bmw document that lists which jobs require wheel alignment afterwards and tension strut is on that list