BMW (2012-2019) 3 Series - F30 Front Control Arm Replacement (BMW F30, F31, & F34 xDrive)

[@eddamoo]

A top tip to prevent having to counter-hold the ball joints is to also loosen them at ride height. If you jack the wheel up to ride height from the lower wishbone, the resulting increased friction against the seat will prevent the ball joint from spinning. Great video!

[@lewsalem]

literally just snapped my T30 bit in the counter hold and this tip saved me so much time lmfao THANK YOU

[@Cuhh346]

If i had known this tip i wouldn’t have hit myself in the face with my breaker bar trying to undo the ball joint

[@itschrislaw]

I bought my arms and bolts from FCP Euro because of this video. Clear/concise narration, easy to follow along, good lighting and proper video for all tasks. Thanks for making this.

[@acroracing]

You know I just watch your videos because they are so well made and I just love them. I don’t even have that car.

[@garrettdlouhy5531]

Huge fan of these videos. Ultra high quality content for any f30 owner. Thanks for everything you do for us. Its abit stressful to own a modern bmw 😄

[@scottsimard4081]

This was a super helpful tutorial. Only challenging area for me was separating the old lower control arm from the ball joint, but I used a tie rod disconnect tool and it worked like a charm.

[@fcpeuro]

Nice work, Scott!

[@CastroJordan]

Wow I missed this f30 video. Thanks like always. These f30 videos are gold.

[@solidmajor]

This is so helpful for any bmw owner. Great content.

[@ChrisHessJD]

Awesome video and great price on the OE parts! My friend and I knocked this job out this weekend with the help of this video and at a fraction of the cost BMW wanted!

[@Tanu.90]

I have a bmw f30 and I hit a roundabout at over 70 miles per hour on the side. Now i need to replace 3 arms in front, and all five in the back on the left wheels. Unfortunately i'm from Romania, and some mecanics guys can fuck you up, lying about the damage and replacement... so now i'm on youtube and google learning how is done and looking for prices to make an ideea. Sorry for my English, awsome video!

[@mleverone]

Damn slow down!

[@MarioDallaRiva]

Bravo, Gareth!

[@oshtheld]

I managed to replace my front tension struts yesterday on my F25. Luckily, I had help and had access to a lift:) It would be great if you guys could make a tutorial for the F25 for future individuals though. I definitely had to combine knowledge from numerous places online (I.e., this video, your X5 video, other videos, and data directly from ISTA).

[@nigel5740]

Did you have to remove the axle nut?

[@morbus74]

Thank you! This video was really informative!! Unfortynately i need to do this on garage floor with floorjacks and jackstands, so there's really not gonna be so much space as you had but i think it's still vrey much doable

[@ayedee5280]

How did that go

[@paulacklam1172]

Hugely helpful. Thanks so much for an excellent video. Front lower control arm done successfully 😁

[@SugeRealest]

Liked the video immediately

[@fcpeuro]

Liked this comment even faster.

[@stevenpower9481]

Just FYI your always suppose to torque the nut. The nut is used to stretch the bolt to the required tension.

[@purplepurplesaurasne]

Thanks again, this one is very helpful on the Meyle HD thrust arms!

[@pratikwiips3]

What’s the part numbers for the replacement hardware, thrust arm bolt and wishbone bolt and nut?

[@qinlongcui4938]

I followed this video and fixed my F32. Thanks for your sharing!

[@jt.vlogofficial773]

Awesome video and clear explanation , like it !

[@GaryB_OutandAbout]

Great video 👍🏼 I need to do this on my U.K. 2018 F30 335d xdrive. I can’t see this in the list of vehicles this applies to. My thinking is it should be the same, would you agree? Cheers, Gary.

[@bradsalluom6050]

So i had BMW replace the track arms on both sides. The car rides funny now and almost feels overly stiff. Like difficult to handle when hitting a bump. They mentioned that they did NOT lift the hub to ride height when torquing down the inner nut. Would that cause this? Also should i be concerned they did not do this properly?

[@Mikej0h]

Similar question here... Did the work myself, but am unsure whether I torqued at ride height. Have the same handling complaints...

[@fcpeuro]

Hi Brad, there is a possibility they did not torque to ride height, and the bushings are binding up on you. At this point it would be worth looking into getting it corrected before any damage is caused to the bushings.

[@cammgt3rs370]

You can actually loosen the bolts on the chassis to control arms, rest the front outer control arms or hub to a cinder block to achieve rested ride height then re tighten the bolts. This will fix the issue and prevent future bushing damage.

[@ScoopRolla]

Do you absolutely have to use new axle bolts.

[@pappyj]

Yes. Per FCP Euro: "The bolts are aluminum stretch bolts, so you have to replace them after each use."

[@davidb649]

When you tighten axle center bolt to 210 nm you need to support the front side of brake disc with a jack, or you will stress shock absorbr strut mount.

[@MrRod121]

Great instruction video

[@charlesberry4958]

My front hub bolts were mush. The metal just decayed. I had to cut a big notch in the bolt, and I hit with full power with an air hammer to back it out. Worked really well. I used fluid film on the new bolts.

[@fcpeuro]

Yikes, glad to hear you found a way to get them out though!

[@EPICSTAXIS]

@11:51 so they don't want the hub to fly off?🤔

[@marcosdarriba]

Muchas gracias 👍👍👍

[@zackattack91000]

How are you able to tell if it’s at ride height? Are you looking to see that the axel is horizontally straight or at something else?

[@fcpeuro]

The easiest way to follow along at home is by measuring the center of the wheel to the lip of your fender and then matching that up when using a floor jack/screw jack.

[@mehdinachir7524]

Good video...plz i have a question ...is not dangerous to tighten the toe arm 20nm more ?! Thanks for your return

[@Trump-The-GREATEST]

Another excellent video! Who needs college 👎..🍺🍺🍺

[@zorantb]

I don't see the bolt and nut included in the kit. Can you link those? Tried searching on your website but didn't find them.

[@joelehane813]

I am quite handsy (have built motorbikes and done some car mechanics) and this is an excellent video. But I have a 2020 X3 Xdrive and the local garage (not BMW) has quoted me around $1,700 per front side. Are the 2020+ models much different - can't find any specific videos - and how feasible is this to do on your driveway?! I don't want the car stuck on jacks for days on end!

[@fcpeuro]

Hi Joe, that is something we will get to soon enough. The control arms for the front of most newer BMWs remain the same as you see here on the F30, so the process will be similar. We have a DIY on an F15, which may be a bit closer to your 20' X3.

[@wcmauldin81]

Could you do this as preventive maintenance or do you wait until the bushings are worn out.

[@fcpeuro]

Anything can be done as preventative maintenance ;)

[@davem1264]

Just finished installing upper and lower controls arms on my 14 428 x drive. On the passenger side I was having trouble getting the upper out so I removed the lower as well. Feel like that was a big mistake. Have massive toe in now and getting chassis stabilization message on the dash. Going to try to adjust toe back out a bit and see if that helps. Thoughts?

[@tommears9525]

What an amazingly informative video - thanks

[@antcastro9]

What’s the part # for the control arm bolt. I’m having difficulty finding it on the FCP site. Thanks in advance.

[@zhihengli8051]

Do I need wheel alignment after change this?

[@seppmeier9961]

would only do one if I had new expensive tires

[@FrenchValleyAirport]

No, nothing is adjustable.

[@UaeDelta]

@@FrenchValleyAirport When you replace the thrustarms, always do them in pairs. And yes you will need alignment for that, the car was taking right on the highway when I let go of the steering. This was after new michelin tires too. So highly recommend the alignment.

[@danmoney9932]

100% need alignment

[@WhiteBeardDetail]

Other than oem spec replacement, is there a upgrade for xdrive for all this? Tension strut What can I do to better my handling with xdrive

[@fcpeuro]

Unfortunately, not for the Xdrive models!

[@YYAYA88]

What are your cars running It looks like? I have bmw 2015 328i xdrive when braking have vibration and running have the nios from front passenger side. That problem with the arms controls or not?

[@davidb649]

As I know car must be on the floor b4 final torqueing arm bolt and nut.Jack will not give same angle. If you have 2 different platforms one 8 -10 inch lower than the other at your driveway like mine, then it will be perfect, or you need a channel under ground to do this job.

[@JesusCruz-tj8fl]

Does anyone know if the control arm will fit on a non x-drive car?

[@readmposter]

Is it the same for non x drive?

[@ScottPC]

Yes just no axel.

[@iamparismusic6265]

May be a stupid question.. but just got recommended to change thrust arm bushings. However I only see control arms.. are those the same thing? Just names are interchangeable?

[@oshtheld]

One end of the control arm has a bushing. The other end accepts the ball joint

[@molmath]

Bonjour, quelle est le serrage au couple des tirants de chasse svp merci

[@moshazza5684]

would it all be the same on a rear wheel drive car except the drive shaft bolt?

[@jason_j5027]

Will this work with f10 528xi? Same method just break lose the cv axle bolt but not removing the axle from the hub ?

[@fcpeuro]

Jason, the same general idea will apply!

[@krislindstrom]

Is there a difference between the 328ix, 428i and the 428ix control arm sets? Seems like it's hard to find sets for the 428ix (2014)

[@阳华-o5l]

Are the nut and bolt for single use and has to be replaced?

[@sgtking]

Its was nice explain the sintoms

[@fcpeuro]

Glad you liked it!

[@harrymcnamara3880]

Hi, I followed your video to replace the both control arms, but both thurst arm bushings have failed within 5000 miles, what could the reason be for this ? Lemforder Oem replacement arms were used

[@itzahstickup]

Can you provide link to the subframe bolt?

[@richardthomas291]

Is ride height when the control arm is perfectly horizontal?

[@Drd4all]

You know that you are at ridehight when start hacking the wheel hub and your car lifts off of your jackstand. This means that the wheel hub and suspension are taking the full weight of the car, like at normal ridehight.

[@martinstrickland8260]

Would this work for 2016 bmw 328i non xdrive

[@S14AA]

Anyone pushed new bushings into the control arms ?

[@pilotguy19781]

Do you replace the axle bolt?

[@fatalostriches8618]

Yes, the axle bolts are one time use

[@ronr6950]

What’s a fair labour time for this job?

[@fatalostriches8618]

2.5 hours + alignment as well

[@shawnwannamaker321]

Do you have the rear wheel drive kit part number?

[@fcpeuro]

Hi Shawn, if you are not finding what you need on FCPEuro.com, please reach out to our service team with a VIN over at [e-mail]

[@Nedg90]

What is the part number for the bolt?

[@tonyvega2563]

what about F10? similar? 2014 535i xdrive

[@fcpeuro]

Hi Tony, the idea will be similar, we have DIYs coming soon for the F10 chassis!

[@hugohernandez6419]

does anyone know what are new hardware number are ???????

[@EvilBaggOBolts]

Does this apply to normal non xdrive f30 ?

[@fcpeuro]

The same general idea applies to a RWD model.

[@diewlaylomei]

is alignment needed?

[@fcpeuro]

its always a good idea to get an alignment after any suspension repairs

[@lui_ando]

2 tools broken so far from doing one side and it’s 21 degrees out 😅

[@ayedee5280]

What issue brought everyone here? I’m curious to see if it’s the same reason if mine

[@silentescape818xsfvla8]

I think it’s a clunk noise when i brake hard, wbu? i checked looks like my driver side control arm rubber bushing is worn out

[@YearBeatz]

@@silentescape818xsfvla8 how you fixed this issues ?

[@fatalostriches8618]

Tension strut leaking grease and clunking over bumps

[@mardighakimian5472]

How about the f31?

[@RoryCuk]

It is the same

[@Awackypenguin]

12:12 anyone else fully expect that screwdriver to break? Better/safer way to do it is to just have someone press on the brakes.

[@UaeDelta]

I dont trust anyone, trolling me and releasing the brakes and face palm the concrete.

[@battleaxe4784]

Putting the wheel back on and having the car on the ground and then accessing the bolt through the hub cap with a wheel chock would also work, but extra steps...

[@cuttthroatperformance2752]

I'm glad mines rwd

[@priscripzionz]

You could do with removing the belly pan cover

[@fcpeuro]

It wouldnt hurt to remove it Matthew youre right!

[@priscripzionz]

@@fcpeuro most importantly you got it done without breaking anything 👍

[@cuttthroatperformance2752]

Lol I just used my fasted rpm impact gun to remove the ball joints

[@thorshammer81]

Yeah definitely not attempting this at home on car jacks lol

[@RoryCuk]

I did - working methodically it took around 3hrs total including ARB droplinks

[@stevew145]

my thrust arm has a giant piece of steelk in the way. There is no way to get at the nut because on one side it is blocked by a giant piece of steel and on the other side, the wiring harness covers it. Fuck sakes. You should have done this on a car with the original arms that didn't have the vibration dampener removed.

[@gamesposter]

I am running into this now lol, this is a ridiculous oversight from fcp euro

[@fnbtv1961]

I Just stripped it I’m so upset

[@salasharif9919]

Dealer wants $1000 to replace the front

[@mleverone]

Just got 320i 2016 off carvana. Took it to my own inspection. Got quote for 747.97 for front thrust arms.

[@dondasilva5527]

"corrosion" lol that aint nothin, ez job

[@Tylergirl]

Got that done on my X5... very pricey

[@john-vy1ml]

How much were u charged in labor?

[@Tylergirl]

@@john-vy1ml it's been a few years dont remember...

[@fcpeuro]

Yeah, having the repair performed at a shop can end up killing you in labor charges, thats why we're here with the walk through

[@Tylergirl]

@@fcpeuro I'm a girl respectfully lol

[@john-vy1ml]

@@fcpeuro really appreciate what u r doing

[@sprinter1313]

Die neue Zugstrebe gleich wieder kaputt gedrückt, mit dem Getriebeheber an der Zugstebe , die ganze Achse hoch gedrückt . Normal wird das Rad montiert und das Fahrzeug auf die Achse gestellt. Beim festschrauben des Querlenker muß mit dem Torx 40 festgehalten werden, nicht bei festziehen mitdrehen, die mutter zieht fest!!!! Das lager gleich wieder kaputt. Schlechte Werkstatt, und so was schlechtes zeigen sie im internet

[@markusortmaier7174]

Plastic car.

[@MichaelPaulk525]

I wish I could do this myself but automakers make sure you can’t unless you’ve got a bajillion dollars worth of equipment to take cars apart and lift them and all that

[@bravosava]

Can a bad arm rubber cause vibration while braking? My discs are new and did not solve the problem.

[@stumcb250]

Yes, will give you vibration on braking, similar to warped disc feeling.