DIY: Lower Control Arm/Wishbone Replacement

wmr71 · 05-15-2019, 08:30 PM

Maverik259

do you happen to have the part numbers for the items that you replaced? also, did you use OEM from BMW or from another source?

thanks in advance!

Googone20 · 05-15-2019, 10:10 PM

I would purchase OEM BMW arms from FCPEuro. They offer a lifetime replacement on all their parts, so it’s totally worth doing it once and never having to pay for it again.

bmwx1sq · 05-16-2019, 09:53 AM

Do you still have the old lower control arm? If so can you measure the size of the bushings? I m trying to see if we can use polyurethane ones.

Googone20 · 05-16-2019, 10:02 AM

Which lower arm? Front or rear?

Maverik259 · 05-16-2019, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Googone20

I would purchase OEM BMW arms from FCPEuro. They offer a lifetime replacement on all their parts, so it's totally worth doing it once and never having to pay for it again.

That's what I'll be doing for my passenger side as it's already making noise again. Ugh.

Maverik259 · 05-16-2019, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Googone20

Which lower arm? Front or rear?

It's the rear

gvarr03 · 05-17-2019, 03:41 PM

Thank you for your DIY, Maverik259! Just changed mine and this post was very helpful!

Maverik259 · 05-17-2019, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gvarr03

Thank you for your DIY, Maverik259! Just changed mine and this post was very helpful!

Glad to hear it

Maverik259 · 06-05-2019, 04:33 PM

Don't trust BMW techs for shit. Started getting creaking noise peridodicsllu from passenger side. The most recent control arm I replaced. Asked SA for them to check all the bolts for tightness given it was a brand new arm. She said he did and that it needs to be replaced. So a few months goes by and I decide ok before I ship out for a month let's knock this out real quick. Low and behold this is what I find. Damn frame nut is about 1/4" unscrewed. I swear if my car stops making noise now I'm going to drive by my dealer and toss the new control arm through the window! FML. How hard would it have been to just check the bolts. There's only three and you were doing an alignment anyway!!!! Cmon!

Now the real question is why did this come loose to begin with. Hmm.

possib1edoc · 06-05-2019, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maverik259

Don't trust BMW techs for shit. Started getting creaking noise peridodicsllu from passenger side. The most recent control arm I replaced. Asked SA for them to check all the bolts for tightness given it was a brand new arm. She said he did and that it needs to be replaced. So a few months goes by and I decide ok before I ship out for a month let's knock this out real quick. Low and behold this is what I find. Damn frame nut is about 1/4" unscrewed. I swear if my car stops making noise now I'm going to drive by my dealer and toss the new control arm through the window! FML. How hard would it have been to just check the bolts. There's only three and you were doing an alignment anyway!!!! Cmon!

Now the real question is why did this come loose to begin with. Hmm.

Keep us posted as started having a similar noise coming from right passenger suspension.

Thanks for the DIY!

Maverik259 · 06-05-2019, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by possib1edoc

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maverik259

Don't trust BMW techs for shit. Started getting creaking noise peridodicsllu from passenger side. The most recent control arm I replaced. Asked SA for them to check all the bolts for tightness given it was a brand new arm. She said he did and that it needs to be replaced. So a few months goes by and I decide ok before I ship out for a month let's knock this out real quick. Low and behold this is what I find. Damn frame nut is about 1/4" unscrewed. I swear if my car stops making noise now I'm going to drive by my dealer and toss the new control arm through the window! FML. How hard would it have been to just check the bolts. There's only three and you were doing an alignment anyway!!!! Cmon!

Now the real question is why did this come loose to begin with. Hmm.

Keep us posted as started having a similar noise coming from right passenger suspension.

Thanks for the DIY!

Tightened it up and went for a short drive. No more noise. I'll be more confident tomorrow when I go to work.

gvarr03 · 06-05-2019, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maverik259

Don't trust BMW techs for shit. Started getting creaking noise peridodicsllu from passenger side. The most recent control arm I replaced. Asked SA for them to check all the bolts for tightness given it was a brand new arm. She said he did and that it needs to be replaced. So a few months goes by and I decide ok before I ship out for a month let's knock this out real quick. Low and behold this is what I find. Damn frame nut is about 1/4" unscrewed. I swear if my car stops making noise now I'm going to drive by my dealer and toss the new control arm through the window! FML. How hard would it have been to just check the bolts. There's only three and you were doing an alignment anyway!!!! Cmon!

Now the real question is why did this come loose to begin with. Hmm.

Sorry it happened to you, bud! I think some BMW tech forgot to tight it to specs..

mikew2069 · 06-06-2019, 09:31 AM

I've started to pick up a high pitched squeak or chirp sound while driving. I feel like its coming from the front end but not 100% sure and it's pretty apparent from inside the car. It doesn't sound like a sound from outside the car that you can hear inside - if that makes sense.

Is this the same noise you picked up? Also does anyone have specifics on the SIB so I can reference it when I take it in?

Maverik259 · 06-06-2019, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikew2069

I've started to pick up a high pitched squeak or chirp sound while driving. I feel like its coming from the front end but not 100% sure and it's pretty apparent from inside the car. It doesn't sound like a sound from outside the car that you can hear inside - if that makes sense.

Is this the same noise you picked up? Also does anyone have specifics on the SIB so I can reference it when I take it in?

Umm ok not really high pitched. That sounds like brakes. It should be like a clunk or creak. Think heavy weight deflecting rubber on metal.

mikew2069 · 06-10-2019, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maverik259

Umm ok not really high pitched. That sounds like brakes. It should be like a clunk or creak. Think heavy weight deflecting rubber on metal.

Ok, that's not what I have which I guess is a good thing but also a bad thing b/c I'm still searching. I must have something rubbing inside my cabin somewhere.

BimmerTy · 07-19-2019, 08:59 AM

Recent BMW service said my bushing were worn and needed to be replaced immediately. I asked about the SIB but I'm out of warranty and they said there's nothing they could do.

I was very close to diy-ing this but just ended up bringing it in to my Indy to replace the control arms/bushings. $800 and I had to bring it back the next day because of terrible clunking/rubbing noises. They have it overnight so hope they can figure out what's going on.

Maverik259 · 07-20-2019, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BimmerTy

Recent BMW service said my bushing were worn and needed to be replaced immediately. I asked about the SIB but I'm out of warranty and they said there's nothing they could do.

I was very close to diy-ing this but just ended up bringing it in to my Indy to replace the control arms/bushings. $800 and I had to bring it back the next day because of terrible clunking/rubbing noises. They have it overnight so hope they can figure out what's going on.

Did they replace the control arm or the lower wish bone? If they replaced the control arms it may now be the wish bone. Which would suck

BimmerTy · 07-23-2019, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maverik259

Did they replace the control arm or the lower wish bone? If they replaced the control arms it may now be the wish bone. Which would suck

They said they replaced the control arms - which has the bushing in it.. They have a front end specialist coming by their shop today to take a look.

Maverik259 · 07-23-2019, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BimmerTy

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maverik259

Did they replace the control arm or the lower wish bone? If they replaced the control arms it may now be the wish bone. Which would suck

They said they replaced the control arms - which has the bushing in it.. They have a front end specialist coming by their shop today to take a look.

Gotcha. Ya i know control arms have bushings lol. But so do all them suspension components (minus struts). I bet your wish bone needs changing. It's got 2 bushings and a ball joint. Make sure you do them both.

sj22 · 07-23-2019, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maverik259

Gotcha. Ya i know control arms have bushings lol. But so do all them suspension components (minus struts). I bet your wish bone needs changing. It's got 2 bushings and a ball joint. Make sure you do them both.

So I have a question - whats a reasonable amount to pay for this to be done? I would love to do it, but I dont even own a jackstand so getting all the things I need will cost $100 + parts + time. I hate to do things that I can mess up and cant drive the car. I want to start asking some of the indy shops so want to hear something from someone who has done this first.

Maverik259 · 07-23-2019, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sj22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maverik259

Gotcha. Ya i know control arms have bushings lol. But so do all them suspension components (minus struts). I bet your wish bone needs changing. It's got 2 bushings and a ball joint. Make sure you do them both.

So I have a question - whats a reasonable amount to pay for this to be done? I would love to do it, but I dont even own a jackstand so getting all the things I need will cost $100 + parts + time. I hate to do things that I can mess up and cant drive the car. I want to start asking some of the indy shops so want to hear something from someone who has done this first.

Parts will run you $400 for oem for the pair and then add what ever the hourly rate is for say 3-4 hours I would imagine. Not sure. I've done them both myself.

So under $1000

BimmerTy · 07-24-2019, 09:06 AM

Front end specialist said everything looked good. They torqued everything down correctly but front suspension is still creaking while driving. Doesn't seem to be related with going over bumps. This wasn't happening before I had the control arms replaced. Actually had no noises at all - just replaced these due to dealer recommendation after my last service. Bringing it to dealer for a free diagnostic tomorrow and will bring my SA a bottle of wine.

05-15-2019, 08:30 PM	#45
wmr71 Private First Class 26 Rep 100 Posts Drives: 2016 X5 Msport 50 Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (2)	Maverik259 do you happen to have the part numbers for the items that you replaced? also, did you use OEM from BMW or from another source? thanks in advance!
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05-15-2019, 10:10 PM	#46
Googone20 Lieutenant 176 Rep 401 Posts Drives: 2015 X5, 2007 M6 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Lake Orion, MI iTrader: (0)	I would purchase OEM BMW arms from FCPEuro. They offer a lifetime replacement on all their parts, so it’s totally worth doing it once and never having to pay for it again. __________________ 2015 BMW X5 35d Msport Carbon Black/Mocha Nappa 2013 Cadillac Escalade Platinum Diamond White Pearl/Cocoa 2007 BMW M6 Sapphire Black Metallic/Black 2005 Ninja 636 Lime Green
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05-16-2019, 09:53 AM	#47
bmwx1sq Second Lieutenant 145 Rep 277 Posts Drives: BMW X1 35i Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: South Carolina iTrader: (0)	Do you still have the old lower control arm? If so can you measure the size of the bushings? I m trying to see if we can use polyurethane ones.
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05-16-2019, 10:02 AM	#48
Googone20 Lieutenant 176 Rep 401 Posts Drives: 2015 X5, 2007 M6 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Lake Orion, MI iTrader: (0)	Which lower arm? Front or rear? __________________ 2015 BMW X5 35d Msport Carbon Black/Mocha Nappa 2013 Cadillac Escalade Platinum Diamond White Pearl/Cocoa 2007 BMW M6 Sapphire Black Metallic/Black 2005 Ninja 636 Lime Green
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05-17-2019, 03:41 PM	#51
gvarr03 Private First Class 25 Rep 121 Posts Drives: MY'15 X5 xDrive35d Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Seattle,WA iTrader: (0)	Thank you for your DIY, Maverik259! Just changed mine and this post was very helpful!
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		BMW X5 and X6 Forum (F15/F16) > BMW X5 (F15) and BMW X6 (F16) Forum > BMW X5 and X6 (F15/F16) Forum
DIY: Lower Control Arm/Wishbone Replacement

06-05-2019, 04:33 PM	#53
Maverik259 Major General 4140 Rep 7,160 Posts Drives: F90 M5 / F15 50i Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Virginia iTrader: (1) Garage List 2020 BMW M5 [10.00] 2014 X5 50i [0.00]	Don't trust BMW techs for shit. Started getting creaking noise peridodicsllu from passenger side. The most recent control arm I replaced. Asked SA for them to check all the bolts for tightness given it was a brand new arm. She said he did and that it needs to be replaced. So a few months goes by and I decide ok before I ship out for a month let's knock this out real quick. Low and behold this is what I find. Damn frame nut is about 1/4" unscrewed. I swear if my car stops making noise now I'm going to drive by my dealer and toss the new control arm through the window! FML. How hard would it have been to just check the bolts. There's only three and you were doing an alignment anyway!!!! Cmon! Now the real question is why did this come loose to begin with. Hmm. Attached Images __________________ '07 Yamaha R1 (sold) '06 C55 AMG (sold) ‘?20 M5, MP Carbon Pro Spoiler, MP Carbon Diffuser, MP Black grille and gills, MP Carbon Mirrors, CF side sills, 789M w/ Ti studs, eventuri, Dinan X pipe '14 X5 50i (wife’s now)
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06-06-2019, 09:31 AM	#57
mikew2069 Lieutenant Colonel 413 Rep 1,975 Posts Drives: F30 335i MSport Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Houston iTrader: (2)	I've started to pick up a high pitched squeak or chirp sound while driving. I feel like its coming from the front end but not 100% sure and it's pretty apparent from inside the car. It doesn't sound like a sound from outside the car that you can hear inside - if that makes sense. Is this the same noise you picked up? Also does anyone have specifics on the SIB so I can reference it when I take it in? __________________ 2013 F30 335i ///M-Sport *Forgestar/Challenge/BMS JB4* *Wagner/Evo Race/M-Performance* 2016 F15 50i ///M-Sport *BM3/H&R/Borla*
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07-19-2019, 08:59 AM	#60
BimmerTy ///M 193 Rep 272 Posts Drives: 2015 F15 X5 50i M Sport Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: RVA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW X5 xDrive50i [0.00]	Recent BMW service said my bushing were worn and needed to be replaced immediately. I asked about the SIB but I'm out of warranty and they said there's nothing they could do. I was very close to diy-ing this but just ended up bringing it in to my Indy to replace the control arms/bushings. $800 and I had to bring it back the next day because of terrible clunking/rubbing noises. They have it overnight so hope they can figure out what's going on. __________________ 2015 F15 X5 xDrive50i - M Sport - Space Grey Metallic - 21" 612M - Accelera Iota ST68's - Black Dakota - Leather Dash - Poplar Wood - Ceramic - Shawdowline - Anthracite - Adaptive M - Full LED - Executive - DA+ - Surround - HUD - Enhanced BT - Soft Close - B&O - ACC Stop & Go - Multi Contour - 4 Zone Climate - Comfort Seats - Cold Weather - Muffler Delete - Akrapovic Tips - F85 Grille - 35% Tint - BMW All Weather Mats -- Missing DHP, NV, Active Steering, Rear Entertainment, & Cooled Seats
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07-24-2019, 09:06 AM	#66
BimmerTy ///M 193 Rep 272 Posts Drives: 2015 F15 X5 50i M Sport Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: RVA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW X5 xDrive50i [0.00]	Front end specialist said everything looked good. They torqued everything down correctly but front suspension is still creaking while driving. Doesn't seem to be related with going over bumps. This wasn't happening before I had the control arms replaced. Actually had no noises at all - just replaced these due to dealer recommendation after my last service. Bringing it to dealer for a free diagnostic tomorrow and will bring my SA a bottle of wine. __________________ 2015 F15 X5 xDrive50i - M Sport - Space Grey Metallic - 21" 612M - Accelera Iota ST68's - Black Dakota - Leather Dash - Poplar Wood - Ceramic - Shawdowline - Anthracite - Adaptive M - Full LED - Executive - DA+ - Surround - HUD - Enhanced BT - Soft Close - B&O - ACC Stop & Go - Multi Contour - 4 Zone Climate - Comfort Seats - Cold Weather - Muffler Delete - Akrapovic Tips - F85 Grille - 35% Tint - BMW All Weather Mats -- Missing DHP, NV, Active Steering, Rear Entertainment, & Cooled Seats
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