Replacing upper / thrust control arm on late model BMW 5, 6, 7 and X series

[@bavarianautosport]

This vehicle has 68,000 miles. The symptom was front-end vibration at highway speeds. In normal inspection, the bushings looked fine. It takes a knowledge of the common BMW faults and symptoms to be able to realize that this would be the most common reason for a front vibration ... even if the bushings look good. They get soft and allow the oscillations.

[@alangoddard7824]

I noticed the steering vibrating under breaking. On closer inspection the inner bushes were worn. Great explanation, very clear and easy to follow.

[@bavarianautosport]

How right you are, Andrew! We are constantly talking to customers who have a front shake and have been "assured" by their mechanics that the bushings are fine and could not possibly be at fault .... only to find that replacing them cures the problem.

[@christ5712]

Absolutely excellent tutorial video. Very concise, especially on the suspension pre-load before tightening the bushing.

[@gavintitan8796]

instaBlaster

[@Minerva___]

Thanks for the great repair video! I'm looking to tackle this job soon and am collecting all of the resources I can. Great clear and concise instruction! Anyone should feel confident with this video.

[@cyounger99]

I think that your video and commentary rate among the very best. Thanks for providing this excellent tutorial.

[@michaelclark3126]

I have no idea how much money you have saved me because I did not bother to look. I truly trust your expertise to the moon and back as diy'er(???). Replaced upper and lower control arms on both sides of an 2006 650i and it went almost as smooth video. It pleases me most that in this day of hard times you have allowed me to maintain food in my family's bellies, maintain the integrity of my car/toy, and without disrupting the bank at all. YOU'RE THE BESTEST!!!!!😎 .

[@royrobinson8740]

Man you are the greatest I just changed my control arms an must I say I HAD A BLAST the process was just as you explained you are the BEST. Once again thank you my friend. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

[@chrisdaniel5004]

By far one of the best how to’s.

[@captainahoymatey]

Thanks, Otto! Did this job on my 2006 330i and it's even easier than in the video because on the e90 there is more clearance and the control arm comes right out without lossening any other parts.

[@andrewthompsonuk1]

it amazes me how often you are told these bushes are ok when they have gone soft. I replace them as soon as I feel movement on braking. They only seem to last 2 to 3 sets of tyres. New bushes make a huge difference to the car.

[@ChipDoggRC]

I appreciate you taking the time to explain this to me so thoroughly. I didnt think I could do it because of the strut but after watching this ..I'm doing it. !

[@eliasgarcia7935]

Great video, and the guy was very clear explaining every little detail of the scope of work.

[@ronaldswapp3186]

As always excellent video. took me about an hour actually 50 minutes to change one side.

[@alexandersalamin1]

nice, clean and professional... every mechanic suppose to do so...

[@xmyar53]

Excellent video quality and explanation of tightening under load.

[@honawikeepa5813]

I've done some work on my wife's 540 i. Tie rods replaced. Cost $60 each and 30 mins work. Great video.

[@frankmaggio4328]

Thanks for the video. I'm a loyal customer already. Time to replace my pass side LCA. Felt a pull when I first bought my 05 645ci. I can definitely do it myself. Missing a car lift but have all the other tools! :D

[@frankmaggio4328]

Felt a tiny pull when I applied the brake. A mechanic told me it was the forward LCA which he said is a common item. Guess I'll have to do the rear facing as well to keep things even.

[@russh7040]

I just grind off 1/8-1/4 inch of the ball joint bolt end where the hex bit goes and it slides out no problem. No need to remove the pinch bolts

[@bavarianautosport]

Yes, this will lead to premature bushing failure (and often, odd handling). And, yes, you can release the bolt-nut and re-torque while the suspension is properly compressed. This will not make it as though it was never tightened improperly, but will help it to live longer and function properly.

[@alkalineph9446]

BAV AUTO made clear and concise videos.

[@danielhercules763]

Great work and thank you for a very helpful video I have been searching for this for quite some time now and you just made it clear so keep doing what you are doing an awesome job.

[@CMOSjockey]

Thank you very much for that. Easier on a lift but something this little woman can definitely do.

[@whee921]

This is a very good job sir, very nice. i like your videos, im in a automotive mechanic training in Germany for 3 years now (almost done) so your videos are very useful and interesting for me. thank you!

[@towncar968]

Great information on how to do it yourself

[@gianellicapone8740]

otto so monotone yet so smart and resourceful!!

[@stevejagernauth1991]

Great video! I bought my bushings at BavAuto, will be changing only the UCA bushings and change the whole arm with BJ later if it fails as the pair of bushings was only $50.

[@LEVUCARCHANNEL]

cảm ơn bạn đã chia sẻ và hướng dẫn cách tháo lắp và thay thế càng xe BMW 5,6,7 và x series

[@KevinACarter]

Thanks for the info. I gave my son a small budget to pick out another "responsible family car” while we finish his project truck. It was leaking profusely on day one so we replaced the alternator bracket seal. This is sliding off the bushing now. As it sits I, I have $2560 in it and it's the most luxurious car we own. I'm still trying to figure out INPA.

[@TheZane03]

Thank you for replying its a 2000 323i and no it doesn't say wind shield but the symbol light appeared on the dashboard at first I didn't know what the light meant until I looked up the manual online

[@GP-xj7rm]

Great tutorial! very well explained. I think I can do this on my E66 750LI

[@caldynphillip]

The dealer said my front thrust rod bushing is going bad and quote me $850.00 . I'm trying to purchase it myself , quick question, is the front thrust rod bushing the same as the Upper Front Control Arm ?

[@adamlreiner]

Yes it's the upper control arm. A good way to tell the difference is that its the one with a big "S-curve" in it

[@Mrtonecapone77]

they quoted me 904 bucks for both at dealer.. unreal parts are 60 bucks.. ill take to my personal mechanic..

[@Braveheart7914-idfl]

Excellent tutorial many thanks 👍🏻👏👏

[@DocBryansilva]

Super helpful video. Thanks for the professional information.

[@kevinpinson8782]

Yes thank you for the info and great video. I’m learning the E38 repairs from you and really enjoy your videos.

[@baltod4978]

Thank you guys so very much. I appreciate all your videos!!!

[@TasteofBlood]

Awesome video. Mine we're replace right before I purchased my 04 e60.

[@xTRVLNMANx]

Torque specs would be the cherry on top

[@terjon99]

Very good, clearly explained and helpful video.

[@clscls9481]

just did mine on my 2002 bmw 745li everything was east except when I tried to put the new one on it wouldn't line up but I finally got it on... thanks for the video

[@mule666]

you are so calm and relaxt..love to learn from youre videos...hope you can do more e39 videos...you have one how to replace oil sump casket of an e39 ??

[@sliam2000]

Very great video! I have been working on my daughter's first car.....an 04 BMW 530i....a lot!! But nonetheless I think it to be a solid car still. Thanks again

[@mikemapes5287]

Wonderful instructional. Can I use this as a guide to for my 2009 Z4?

[@keithcarney5421]

You guys are great. Very helpful videos.

[@PoppinPortraits]

Great tutorial, easy to see exactly what’s being done! Thanks.

[@jdhchi]

Outstanding instructional video...well done!

[@bavarianautosport]

The ball-joint pins on these later-model BMWs are not tapered and, therefore, are not pressed into tapered receiver holes. That's why they just "fall apart" when the nut is removed. You can use a thread locking compound on the old nuts, if new ones are not available.

[@priz_samzabala4286]

Hey big a have a question?! 1st let me say your videos was perfect and very easy to follow but I also have another problem with my steering mechanism now if you look on your video when you’re under the car there is the sway bar and another aluminum round piece that’s a welded to the body of the car right next to the sway bar would you happen to know what that is called or where I can find one to replace mine’s.. please and thank you

[@virgilcole3967]

so wonderful but what was the thrust arm problem ? that seems to me very clean and intact . how we can check and diagnose them before change ?

[@berwa]

Great video, I'm new in car mechanic and I'm in a country that they don't know to much about cars. But what does that part do if you need to changed? is it avoiding sound when drive on a bumpy road?

[@JorgeLMendez]

Excellent video, thank you very much

[@JIntoThaDon]

Get the schwaben tools ball joint separator that has a 80mm max opening because working on my 98 528i and so far the tie rod on one side and the upper control arm was stuck in the sleeve when trying to remove from the knuckle it will be a PITA if you also have rusted bolts and you finally break them loose to find out you ball joints are all stuck in the sleeves on the knuckle so be proactive and get that tool you will thank yourself later

[@superdiver.]

This is one of the best videos!!!

[@barryhansen7677]

Great Video! The camera work shows the job to be very easy. I wish you would include the torque specs in the video.

[@ModsAndProjects]

+Barry Hansen Yes, torque specs would be great...

[@Michael-mn9fj]

THATS HOW THEY GET YOU TO BUY THE BOOK, IM SURE YOU CAN GOOGLE SEARCH OR SEARCH BMW FORUMS TO FIND THAT INFO.

[@johnharris9344]

Very grateful! Thanks for the very informative Video!

[@leakelittle]

Thanks - very helpful and informative. The video was about 17 mins so I expect the time to complete at about 30 mins each?

[@JIntoThaDon]

This is a good video for the info but it will rarely be this easy to get parts loose when your car is driven a fair amount it won’t be this clean

[@gipstetz6720]

Thank you so much for the great video. It was very very helpful. Piease keep the videos coming. Thanks again.

[@canooples5134]

Anyone know the torque specs for the this?

[@romewasnotbuiltinaday]

I'm amazed if non mechanics are trying to do this in their driveways.

[@gmobile612]

I didnt quite understand how far to compress the suspension before tightning the bushing bolt. What should I look for to start tightning?

[@e.leonardcunningham8912]

Good Video Presentation.. I'm replacing my front control arms with OEM Lemforder for my 2016 Audi. Is it recommended that a wheel alignment is performed in a timely manner.

[@larrycampbell2500]

Nice job way to go!

[@isidrocarrillo1708]

Nice job and very clear

[@ahmedsaid2937]

I just want to replace the buching should I take the hole arm out and press out the buching . Thanks

[@Ilovefotz]

excellent guide thanks Otto!

[@barrylequire4200]

Thank you for an owner of two older X5's

[@mannylopez15986]

Great work!!!

[@alanwelsh749]

ERRATA for a 2003 745i, things that can go wrong and how to fix them. -- USE a rubber mallet to knock the wheel down the strut, JUST far enough to get the ball joint out. Also, try the crowbar as shown in the video to bring it down. When putting it back up, you DO need a jack of some kind. Then make sure you are lifting on the lower/rear ball joint so that it is lifting the wheel assembly straight up, directly under the center of the strut, or it can bind. If using a floor jack, use a piece of wood between the jack and the ball joint so you don't damage the grease seal. Also, miss the sheet metal flange when lifting. I used the rubber mallet with the jack to get it to go back in place. -- When dropping the wheel assembly down on the strut, it can come all the way down, off the strut, (for NO value). When you lift it back into the strut, there is a TAB behind the wheel on the strut, that must travel up and down the clamp assembly. You MUST alight the strut with this tab, or it will never go back. It can also get twisted over to one side and bind, and you will see the car lift, instead of the wheel on strut. (I used a small mirror from the outside of the wheel well, while the jack lifted it into place.) Use large pliers to grab the strut and easily twist it to align the tab. -- NOTE that if replacing the other lower/rear control arm, you can't get the new arm in, while the wheel is down from the strut--it must be up and in-place. (This may have made it easier to drop it down too far, with it off. Try replacing this whole arm BEFORE you drop it from the strut.) -- My car only had the one nut and bolt on the wheel assembly clamp, and not the extra 17 MM bolt. -- My car has a plastic shield around the frame bolt on the strut, that comes off by hand. -- May car has a NASTY plastic AIR RAM, coming from the front grill, directly behind the frame bold at a 45 deg. angle, ONLY 1.5 INCHES AWAY from that bolt!! Push hard and you can get a torque wrench in there, but just barely! Now after you take the nut off, get a BIG CROWBAR and move the plastic out of the way far enough to pull a 4" bolt out. But before that, you will likely have to take some of the wheel liner bolts out that are next to it. While I'm sure you could remove the whole wheel well liner and many other things to remove that vent, (that vent goes directly into the wheel well), I think forcing it away with some bolts removed is a better method. -- When putting weight / stress on the wheel before tightening the frame nut / bolt to 80 ft/lbs, have someone at least sit in the car. I used the jack method to lift the wheel, the way most shops likely do when replacing the strut. You'd be surprised how far it moves with someone sitting in that seat, though.

[@joseaguilar2879]

Thank you for the great video. I have a 2002 X5 3.0 it has a vibration when braking on the freeway or downhill on the front driver side. I wast told to replace rotors. I did replace new rotors, brakes and the problem still there. later I replaced the UPPER control arm and links on both sides and the problem still there. rotated tires and still the same. Would this be the problem? or any more ideas? I will appreciate it. car has 165k but I would still drive it.

[@boysiy]

Hi BavarianAuto, thank you very much for your reply to my question, lot of respect to you your tops.

[@Pandaa78]

Such a great video and then you cannot specify the torqs and people should read the bmw manual?

[@victormarkoff5531]

Those bolts are so tight.Hand tools never break them lose.

[@andrewvallner6926]

You need to lift more, bro

[@dukedub]

Thanks for the insight and information 👍

[@armystrength]

Thanks so much for putting these videos up. You save the semi-delusional DIY'ers (like myself) untold gobs of time, sweat, and money. I have an E65, 2002 745i and had the upper control arms replaced but still have a small amount of shimmy with moderate to hard braking (It was much worse before the upper control arm replacement). The mechanic said the rearward control arm bushings were worn too. After watching this, I think it's a job I can handle. Are there any special secrets I should know before I proceed? Thanks again.

[@bavarianautosport]

Remember to final tighten the bushing bolts/nuts with the suspension compressed .... not hanging.

[@michaelmcconnell3777]

Gave me confidence to try this vs $1,000.00 bill

[@RClittleKING]

Michael McConnell $1000? I would charge $35 labor for each side, who ever quoted you $1000 is trying to rob you

[@Giggidygiggidy12]

How did the diy go for you??

[@guillermolopez1690]

Enteraname stealer*

[@pacermanrocks]

Great clear & very helpful thanks

[@maciejgnoinski2114]

Bardzo pomocne, dziękuję Very lelpfull, thx !

[@HorribleHarry]

Thank you very much!

[@jooper99]

I was able to peel back the fender liner and maneuver the control arm out & in without releasing the strut.

[@vanessahawkins2103]

Hello I got a 04 bmw 745li and I need to replace the front sway bar links. Up control arm. Lower rearward control arms. And inner and outer tie rods. So im trying to figure how can van I left up my front end so I can set it on jack stands

[@ahmedshawkyelshebiny]

Is this the same for an e70 x5? Also, what are the torque specs for all these bolts and nuts that you tightened?Thanks in advance!

[@joelane4670]

My BMW five series 2008 my front wobbles when I go over 30 to 40 miles an hour could it be this upper control arm?

[@GronDB]

What are symptoms of bad thurst arm on bmw ? Have light steering wheel shaking then braking lightly (no shaking then pushing brake pedal harder) on my e39.

[@ytramla2370]

awesome video . very helpful....

[@milcairivera4460]

this video very helpful wish every video where like this

[@MRXCHRISS]

I'm going to replace the front upper and lower control arms (1998 BMW 540i). Do I need to replace the bolts on the bushing ends or just new locking nuts? Would it be beneficial to lightly grease the ball joint end before inserting? Thanks for your time..

[@michaelvince4193]

excellent video thanks

[@gmdeutsch]

Thank you!

[@bartneuman9873]

Otto (Gordon) since there is no Bentley manual for the 745li, I need the torque settings for the different bolts on the upper control arm....otherwise, a great diy Thanks Bart Neuman

[@MRXCHRISS]

When torquing the rear control arm, does both sides have to compressed to correct ride height, or can I just compress/load one side at a time, the side that I am working on. I read that both sides have to be compressed when torquing or there will be premature wear on the bushings. Thanks.

[@TheFrancoGallery]

Awesome video thanks

[@lharvey16]

With the 2007 X3 E83 3.0si, the thrust arm ball joint is attached from underneath to the spindle with two screws. How would you suggest getting this one out? Thanks,

[@Aldik1980]

Nie trzeba odkręcać mocowania amortyzatora ! Wystarczy najpierw wyjąć drugą stronę i gdy delikatnie wygnie się sworzeń przy kole to całość schodzi !

[@MrDzevko68]

Jan S prevedi bo

[@templarjay]

Why isn't everyone as good as you?

[@michaelstrittmatter4236]

Can you please list the torque specs on the nuts and bolts in this video? I cannot find a manual for the G11 Thank you

[@brabson97]

Great video - thanks!

[@kingchrisp198432]

So what will happen if you dont have the car at ride height when tightening the control arm?

[@iveneverdonethisbefore8390]

Great video. Thank you for sharing.

[@wonsuai9191]

Very good