lower control arm replacement

[BEARDENGE]

have a 1998 528i. Need to replace the lower control arm and thrust arm bushings. Have found many 540 diy forums. The ? that i have is can I follow the same procedures as the 540. Went to the dealer they want 4.5 hrs to replace the bushings and another 2.5 hrs to replace the lower control arm. These people are out of their freaking mind. I know I can do the work my self, just need a little direction and help. Thk to all who reply.

[Doru]

Check the "very best of e39..." . If you cannot find a thread, look up post #31. I'm sure there is something that will touch on that subject.

[sabbos1]

have a 1998 528i. Need to replace the lower control arm and thrust arm bushings. Have found many 540 diy forums. The ? that i have is can I follow the same procedures as the 540. Went to the dealer they want 4.5 hrs to replace the bushings and another 2.5 hrs to replace the lower control arm. These people are out of their freaking mind. I know I can do the work my self, just need a little direction and help. Thk to all who reply.


The procedures are a little different. The ball joint on the upper/thrust arm of our 528i faces down (nut is on the bottom) which is the opposite of the 540. One thing that has been stated several times, is that if you are going through the trouble and expense of doing the bushings, why not replace the whole thrust arm? The ball joint is as old as the bushing. I bought Lemfoerder thrust arms with the bushing already installed for about $115-$120 each from Zionsville Autosports in Indiana.

[BEARDENGE]

Great, I will purchase the thrust arms with the bushings installed today. The next thing i would need is a DIY set of instructions to complete the job. I have a lift at a military hobby shop with tools. How hard is it to replace the lower control arm and the thrust arm on the 528i.

[BEARDENGE]

Doru, Where can i find the best of e39

[Shardul]

Doru, Where can i find the best of e39

it is a sticky on the top of the E39 sub forum page

[BEARDENGE]

Got it , thank you

[sabbos1]

Great, I will purchase the thrust arms with the bushings installed today. The next thing i would need is a DIY set of instructions to complete the job. I have a lift at a military hobby shop with tools. How hard is it to replace the lower control arm and the thrust arm on the 528i.I have replaced the thrust arms twice and think it is a fairly easy job. Never done the lowers but it should not be too difficult. You need to have some ramps or some way to put weight back on the wheels when your torque the thrust arm bushings - not sure about the lowers. Done properly, you need a full tank of gas and some weights in the front seats and rear seats. Not too long ago there was a thread on installing the thrust arms that included a discussion of getting the correct amount of weight before you torque. You also need to pull the inner liner of the front wheel wells to get in there - just takes like an 8 mm socket to unscrew the 9 or 10 bolts holding it all in.

this thread may help, too http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=826764

[jase007]

"Beardenge"

[why doesn't anyone on this forum put their 1st name in their sig...?]

Get a Bently manual so that you get the correct weight / placement to add and the correct torque values on the suspension pieces. If you install without loading the car they will fail prematurely.

I recently did this [thrust, control arms & struts & strut bearings] and if it were only the thrust and lower control arms you could bust it out in a Saturday easy. You'll need an alignment afterwards so if struts or tie rods or front wheel bearings are on the horizon ... now is the time to do them so you won't pay for 2 alignments.

FWIW & GL :)

[BEARDENGE]

just ordered the bently manual, with overnite express option. And by the way Jase007 my name is Eric. Its a retired military thing using only last name. Have to get in touch with the civilain world. Semper Fi

[cpatstone]

"Beardenge"

[why doesn't anyone on this forum put their 1st name in their sig...?]

Get a Bently manual so that you get the correct weight / placement to add and the correct torque values on the suspension pieces. If you install without loading the car they will fail prematurely.

I recently did this [thrust, control arms & struts & strut bearings] and if it were only the thrust and lower control arms you could bust it out in a Saturday easy. You'll need an alignment afterwards so if struts or tie rods or front wheel bearings are on the horizon ... now is the time to do them so you won't pay for 2 alignments.

FWIW & GL :)


ditto on all points, except that it took me about 16 hrs total. That's having never done this kind of work before, and having a skimpy ball joint puller tool. yep, need an alignment.

[Philboski]

This might be easier and longer lasting. And cheaper!

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=233926