How To Replace The Radius Control Arm Bushing On A BMW X5 E70

[@wvadam]

Was there any visible damage to the bushing or was it internal? I didn't see anything wrong with the old one like I would expect to see the rubber cracking or separating from the metal. I am just wondering how you caught this problem.

[@igappleg3]

Thank you for giving us a visual how this can be done. My mechanic will be doing it but I always like to be knowledgeable of what they will be doing to my BMW X5! Your video is super helpful!

[@frankylie]

thanks for the video! is there any other way to pop the ball joint out other than to whack that frame? i guess if you had a full replacement tension strut you could strike the end of the bolt?

[@JPaupst]

Normally what Ive done when replacing or removing control arms is put the nut back on the ball joint. Threaded until basically flush then if hitting the boss around the spindle doesnt work tap the end of the ball joint woth the hammer. The key is to make sure the nut is threaded on but not so much the the threaded portion is protruding from the nut.

[@distanceed5089]

When you're tightening the ball joint nut down, does the ball joint turn or is it locked in place? When I was installing upper control arms on my E60 the ball joint would turn. But there was a hex insert on the screw part to hold from rotating.

[@HowtoAutomotive]

distance ed it's supposed to turn a little bit especially as it gets a little wear on it. That hex head that you were referring to is designed to hold it in place so you can tighten it. But if it's extremely loose in the joint maybe worn out.

[@josecarlosdelacal5806]

Es verdad que el ultimo apriete hay que darlo con el coche en el suelo , no en el elevador ?

[@EZedp]

A reputable BMW shop says my Thrust Arm Bushings are 'leaking' on front & back arms and quoted me $788 (2 new Radius Thrust Arms ($225 for front & back) plus $336 labor (2.10 hours) + tax (total is around $825). I am not getting any 'symptoms' that these control arms/bushing needs replacing (example: I have no noises or changes in the steering & handling / no clunking noises or unresponsive steering / no irregular tire wear). QUESTION: How do I know if they are being truthful that I need these parts replaced, if I do not see any of these symptom? I have a 2013 X5 'Diesel' with low 47,000 miles on it. I just want to make sure I am not being screwed! Any good input on this would be appreciated!

[@HowtoAutomotive]

So some of those mounts are filled with hydraulic fluid. And that may be what they’re seeing leaking. The best way to tell is to get under there and physically check yourself and if you gut says that they’re not being truthful and probably go with that. Or get a second opinion from another shop.

[@diewlaylomei]

You didn't put the car back to "ride height" prior to torquing those bolts....

[@HowtoAutomotive]

SSJGohanMlm that not possible unless you had a role on the rack.

[@HowtoAutomotive]

SSJGohanMlm I 20 ton jack pretty much do you think you throw at it. Anything less that you may have limitations

[@jcsuperstars1100]

@@HowtoAutomotive , you drive it on an alignment rack to tighten at ride height. Basic.

[@adrianhumphery1663]

I once had a mechanic do this to me and I travelled about 1km before the new bushes were torn and useless. ALWAYS need to put the weight of the vehicle on the control arm bushes prior to putting any torque what so ever on them. Ever since that day about 10 years ago I do my own to avoid exactly this scenario where someone torques them up while hanging in the air. You can, as a bare minimum, use a jack to compress the suspension enough to be somewhat close to ride height then torque the bolt... if you don't have ramps. I would be interested to hear how long these particular bushes lasted?

[@diewlaylomei]

@@HowtoAutomotive Then you're a shitty mechanic, proven here. I took measurements from the center bore of the rim to the wheel well, then use a jack to compress it as close as possible, then torque. This was before I had a lift in my garage. If I were to do this again, I would one of those telescopic jacks and lower the vehicle, one corner at a time.

[@cjcj5682]

Thankyou. I will be doing mine today but one difference I will leave the control arm on while changing the bushing wish me luck.

[@HowtoAutomotive]

I wish you luck with the repair.Thank you for watching!

[@simplelangperorock]

hi is this 3.0 6cyl engine?

[@cbennettnj]

Why didn't you get the suspension back to ride height before torquing on the bushing side?? You're doing your viewers a disservice with this instruction. This is a great way to shred your bushings.

[@AriVovp]

What is the worn symptoms of this co trol arm?

[@HowtoAutomotive]

AriVovp you will feel a clunk when you hit the break pedal. Especially at slower speeds.

[@AriVovp]

@@HowtoAutomotive when i was making a sharp turn at super slow speed , it often feel clicking or cracking noise.

[@HowtoAutomotive]

AriVovp that’s most likely the problem then. But you also want to check the axle It can make a similar sound. If you drive the vehicle 3 or 4 mph and have somebody watch the front wheels as you rapidly hit the brakes on and off and look for the wheel is jerking back-and-forth that is the control arm. If it’s stable then I was suspecting axle.

[@AriVovp]

@@HowtoAutomotive thanks man

[@AriVovp]

@@HowtoAutomotive also i do have light steering wobble at around 60 to 80mph

[@josecarlosdelacal5806]

Muchas gracias por el video .

[@bimmerDallasBikersUnitedDBUCan]

Thank you so much for this video I'm about to do this job on my 08 X5

[@HowtoAutomotive]

I wish you luck on the job. Thank you for watching!

[@thrty8street]

What type of press is that?

[@HowtoAutomotive]

B BB It’s just a standard bottle jack press.

[@thrty8street]

How to Automotive did you buy it as a kit for a press or separately? I’m shopping for a press to do this at home

[@HowtoAutomotive]

B BB when I bought the shop it was here already. This one’s probably 25 years old or more.

[@thrty8street]

How to Automotive thanks. Is there any advice you can give me in terms of the pressure required to do this? I see presses that are rated between 7 to 20 tons.

[@arivo9062]

what is the symptom?

[@HowtoAutomotive]

Ariel Vo The most common symptom is when you’re at slower speeds and you hit the brake pedal you’ll feel the thump or movement in the wheels

[@DAMCARTER1]

@@HowtoAutomotive my suspension is unstable, I almost ran off the road and I don’t know what is causing it to swerve left to right without moving the steering. It feels like a boat at times🤷🏽‍♂️

[@HowtoAutomotive]

@@DAMCARTER1 in your case if you don’t know what you’re looking for I would recommend taking it to a shop and having a inspected.

[@xuanphan9063]

Thank you so much

[@joejones6764]

This is all wrong. You need to tighten in normal drive position. DO NOT recommend this video.

[@viki6or]

What?.. these bushings are hydraulic You can't do this

[@trusteehiggins121]

You left out the size of the 12 point socket, bmw uses odd sizes!!!!!!!!!!!!!