Rear Lower Control arm bushings??

[shanecarmaster1]

I picked up my car today from getting the rear UUC sway bar installed, and my indy showed me how all four lower bushings on the rear A-arm are cracked and toasted. After searching the part number, there aren't even any aftermarket brands out there, and it seems that the arm is only sold as a unit with the bushings. You can't even press new ones to save all the money.

Does anyone know if I can avoid spending $500 per arm? I never knew these wore out!

[Pelican Parts]

Hey Shane,

Check out the link below to our catalog. Hopefully we'll be able to save you some money in case you need new bushings. You can also give us a call at 888-280-7799 and a BMW parts specialist will make sure you're getting only exactly what's needed. Hope this helps!

http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/...pg4.htm#item14


-Dmitry

[psjr]

I did a bunch of searching, and found some info on another forum.

It is claimed that Lemforder parts 34934 01 and 34933 01 will work as replacement bushings (one of each per arm).



These ship from the US:

http://www.ebay.com/p/Suspension-Con...4-01/112965023
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Lemforde...-/291889771893

However, it would be best if someone would check the diameters first - those are X5 bushings with 12mm and 14.5mm diameter. The E39 needs 10mm and 12mm diameter. I'm not sure we have it recorded anywhere what the E38 needs.

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RealOEM says E38 is also 10 and 12mm bolts.
So the only option for 10mm may be the more expensive (and unknown brand) Febest BMAB-011.
The Lemforder 34933 01 is the 12mm.

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Here is an E38 thread:
http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/1231048

[shanecarmaster1]

For anyone who's curious, I just installed the Power flex race bushings for an e39. I was comfortable with a stiff bushing because it's in a place that doesn't effect ride quality (at all). All I can say is WOW. It's night and day. The steering weights up much better and is so much more precisely since the rear end is staying consistent, and the ride seems to have smoothed out a bit. No vibrations anymore and no harshness at all. I also feel like the chassis jiggles less, such as someone shaking their leg and it rocking the chassis. The damping seems more effective since the arms are doing what they're supposed to do.

I have an alignment appointment tomorrow to really button her up since she was aligned on the old bushings. It's not bad, but it definitely needs help. Hopefully nothing else is out of whack and this ends my suspension saga with mysterious worn out parts. My car has been put through a lot by its owner (ME), so anything that's possibly worn... IS worn.

This upgrade is also cost effective since BMW doesn't sell any replacement bushings. The arms are like $500 a PIECE, compared to $180 for all four bushings. Labor at my indy was the exact same as it'd be for swapping the set of arms without bothering with the bushings. ($250).

I wouldn't hesitate to do it on any e38, even if your bushings simply look okay. Mine were hammered though

[MKIVJZA80]

If I am refreshing my rear suspension, what parts/kit do you recommend me to order? rear suspension 10-piece kit? would that cover all of the weak points?

not necessarily buying Karlyn, but I'm thinking these parts include everything that would be worn. what else, if anything, do you recommend? I'd like to complete everything suspension-wise once.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...e38-e38rearkit

[nike32]

I have Febest bushings in my RTAB's, for a year now, no problem with them.


Didnt want poly, as they make squeaky noises especially here in Finland

[shanecarmaster1]

If I am refreshing my rear suspension, what parts/kit do you recommend me to order? rear suspension 10-piece kit? would that cover all of the weak points?

not necessarily buying Karlyn, but I'm thinking these parts include everything that would be worn. what else, if anything, do you recommend? I'd like to complete everything suspension-wise once.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...e38-e38rearkit

Unfortunately, most other brands simply won't last more than a few months. The one time I cheaped out on suspension was my rear upper control arms a few years ago. They wore out within 6 months, ruined a new set of Michelin Pilot Sports and costed yet another alignment and labor to get TRW parts installed. If you're trying to stay cost effective, I'd look into the TRW branded components because they're OEM brand, just with the BMW logo shaved off. No problems since.

I have Febest bushings in my RTAB's, for a year now, no problem with them.


Didnt want poly, as they make squeaky noises especially here in Finland

I saw those too. Apparently the poly bushings don't squeak in this location at all because of the plane of motion. That's also why the ride doesn't get firmer I suppose. All in all, there's no noises

[nike32]

Unfortunately, most other brands simply won't last more than a few months. The one time I cheaped out on suspension was my rear upper control arms a few years ago. They wore out within 6 months, ruined a new set of Michelin Pilot Sports and costed yet another alignment and labor to get TRW parts installed. If you're trying to stay cost effective, I'd look into the TRW branded components because they're OEM brand, just with the BMW logo shaved off. No problems since.



I saw those too. Apparently the poly bushings don't squeak in this location at all because of the plane of motion. That's also why the ride doesn't get firmer I suppose. All in all, there's no noises

I heard like 50/50 about poly
Either they squeak, or people are very satisfied with them, maybe will give it a try when Febest will wear out.

[pascal32]

I just found bushings that fit on ebay, fast shipping also

https://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-5-serie...72.m2749.l2649

title: BMW 5 series E39 ,7 series E38 rear suspension wishbone swingarm bushing set x4

[bavin]

I just found bushings that fit on ebay, fast shipping also

https://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-5-serie...72.m2749.l2649

title: BMW 5 series E39 ,7 series E38 rear suspension wishbone swingarm bushing set x4

These are the ones im going with, except OEM lemforder parts. part number : 3493401. they are $8 each. they dont say they fit the e38, but apparently they do. $8 for each bushing sure beats $900 each for the whole swing arm from bmw.

[Zim Simma]

@bavin

I recently did a complete refresh on my control arms and replaced my rear control arm bushings with the Powerflex race bushings. My e38 is currently on KW coilovers so ride is naturally very stiff. Back-end feels tighty and not any more stiffer than what the coilovers warrant. If you have issues with your eBay purchase I recommend taking a look at Powerflex.

[CPHES]

@bavin, and anyone else looking at the eBay Taiwan link. Someone here did use e65 bushings - OE bmw - and adapted them. If you look in realoem, the bushing part does not cross reference all those cars. I am not sure it will work.

[bavin]

i would never buy those cheap chinese ones, they wont last. i just used them for a cross reference for a part number for oem lemforder bushings. they may or may not work, but since he said they worked, then they might... there are no listings anywhere or part numbers for the e38 ones except power flex ones, so they might work. im gonna buy a set of 4 lemforders and the powerflex ones incase the lemforders dont work.

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@bavin

I recently did a complete refresh on my control arms and replaced my rear control arm bushings with the Powerflex race bushings. My e38 is currently on KW coilovers so ride is naturally very stiff. Back-end feels tighty and not any more stiffer than what the coilovers warrant. If you have issues with your eBay purchase I recommend taking a look at Powerflex.

you replaced the bushings that im talking about in the swing arm, or the actual bushings inside the upper/lower control arms?

[bavin]

confused as to which ones i need.

theres this one:
https://www.powerflexusa.com/shop/pr...ory=1815#attr=

and this one:
https://www.powerflexusa.com/shop/pr...ory=1815#attr=

anyone?

[CPHES]

Read

https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...ushing-Options

[bavin]

Read

https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...ushing-Options

Thanks, but id probably rather just get the power flex ones.

[bavin]

Actually, think im gonna go with the febest ones 010 and 011. $170 for 4.
https://www.amazon.com/33321090031-B.../dp/B00DM9UUNS

or not. mixed reviews.

power flex ones are about $500 for all 4 which seems pretty pricey.

[bavin]

theres also these: https://www.ecstuning.com/b-powerfle...5-711-12blk~p/

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-3...-arm-bushings/

[bavin]

Im still not sure, but i guess ill just go with power flex. im just not sure if the price is per bushing, or for a pair of 2. nearly $500 for all 4 seems absurd if the price is for each bushing.

[CPHES]

I think it is priced per pair - at least that is what the pic shows. You will need to call them.

[bavin]

im most likely gonna order one set from ecs for $80 and the other set from power flex for $150 because it shows on the PF website that they come with metal sleeves, unlike the ecs ones or fcp ones; even though they are the same part number. all new hardware from fcp and the control arms/guide links, etc...$400. Im also replacing the front upper control arms again (trw) since some how they went bad in only 4k miles. the car has 184k and all rear suspension was original. it has a vibration in the body / seat on the highway at 70mph+ ( meaning rear end ) and a shimmy from the front end at 55-65 that just started recently. hoping this will solve all those issues...

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I think it is priced per pair - at least that is what the pic shows. You will need to call them.

Yeah--per pair.

[bavin]

Not sure why these show they come with sleeves and the other ones dont but they are both e39 10mm's with same part numbers. do i need those sleeves?

https://www.powerflexusa.com/shop/pr...hing-1325#attr

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-3...-arm-bushings/

[bavin]

i decided to scrap this for now. after swapping on a set of 16" basket weaves, my vibrations are gone and the front end shimmy is gone as well. the aftermarket m pars that were on there are garbage and so are the non name tires.