BMW Control Arm Bushing Replacement

View this BMW Repair Tech Tip - follow this link: http://www.bmpdesign.com/technical/suspension/files/BMW_Control_Arm_Bushing_R...

This video explains how to replace front control arm bushings on your BMW E30, E36, or E46 3-series that is experiencing control arm bushing failure. The vehicle that these are being replaced on is an E46 330ci, but the procedure is the same for the E30 and E36 3-series. This particular E46 had 62,000 Miles on it at the time of this replacement.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• bmp
• design
• bmpdesign
• bmw
• banging
• wheelmovement
• front
• controlarm
• bushing
• e30
• e36
• e46
• 318
• 325
• 328
• 330
• M3
• polyurethane

[jereisluke]

I have a '95 318is and my mechanic told me I need to replace front and rear control arm bushings. I had a few questions:

1) Are the rear control arm bushings pretty similar to replacing the front ones?

2) I read another DIY that said to take the whole control arm out, can I replace these with the control arm still on the car on an E36?

3) Any other way to get the old bushings off the control arm besides the impact drill? I don't have one of those. Thanks.

[528im52]

@jereisluke The rear control arm bushings are a bit more involved and are much more difficult to get to than the front ones. As for removing the control arms in install the bushings, it is not required to do so on the E36, the process is very similar to the one in this video, the components just look slightly different. The impact drill was simply used for the speed in which it gets the job done, most people use a chisel and hammer to force the inner sleeve off of the control arm.

[aleksankazakov]

How do i know the bushing is worn not seeing it. If i have small bumping sounds when i drive over some bumps does it mean my bushing are bad?

[528im52]

@aleksankazakov That is a possibility, that is either the bushings, ball joints, or swaybar links.

[reemdog28]

Polyurethane bushings suck balls. I put a set on and they last not even a year.

[528im52]

@reemdog28 Who's urethane bushings did you install, it's rare, even on track vehicles for urethane bushings to fail so quickly.

[mikestylz96]

Do replacing these bushings improve ride quality?

[tepids]

I just replaced the pair for less than $200 USD fitted.

I wouldn't bother repairing the bracket. 

[tallica4us]

after 5:40 it gets pretty expensive.

[09feb1992]

On my e36, When I am on the freeway, the steering wheel feels like it has a slight play in them and then when I am braking from a fast speed, my steering wheel wobbles. Could this be down to worn bushes?

[blitzfork]

Another video that doesn't show the hard part of getting the original bushing sleeve out of the bracket. This video might as well be called how to hard boil an egg.

[MrRamongh]

Great deal of help, now I know better how they will repair my car. Thanks a bunch.

[jereisluke]

@528im52 Great, thanks for the info. I'm going to buy a puller and use a friend's power drill for the front. The back may have to wait.