Minor play in front lower control arms

STR8-6IX · 11-12-2016, 04:08 PM

im trying to figure out what i messed up on my car.. i drove over a speed bump too fast years ago, and my car failed safety the other day because of the control arms. when the mechanic showed me, he took a metal bar and wedged it onto the control arm to show me that there was a little bit of play in what i believe is the ball joint area.. the control arms seem fairly sturdy but the do have a little bit of play in them. what do i need to change? would both control arms need to be replaced in order to fix this, or do i just need new lower control arm bushings??

thanks in advance

feuer · 11-13-2016, 09:07 AM

Is cheaper on labor to just replace the whole control arm. If you have 50k+ miles I would repalce both left and right. Alingment is recommended afterwards.

unrealii · 11-15-2016, 12:18 PM

I'd check with more owners to see if its normal. Here's my car with M3 control arms with less than 5K miles on them

335duff · 11-15-2016, 03:32 PM

Theres nothing wrong with the arms in the video, they're supposed to rotate like that.

STR8-6IX · 11-15-2016, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 335duff

Theres nothing wrong with the arms in the video, they're supposed to rotate like that.

lol... yea man. i wasnt talking about that sort of play. my front lower control arms have a bit of play in them at the ball joint.. will have to change them eventually. not really too serious

11-12-2016, 04:08 PM	#1
STR8-6IX Banned 536 Rep 2,825 Posts Drives: RWD 528i N52 Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	Minor play in front lower control arms im trying to figure out what i messed up on my car.. i drove over a speed bump too fast years ago, and my car failed safety the other day because of the control arms. when the mechanic showed me, he took a metal bar and wedged it onto the control arm to show me that there was a little bit of play in what i believe is the ball joint area.. the control arms seem fairly sturdy but the do have a little bit of play in them. what do i need to change? would both control arms need to be replaced in order to fix this, or do i just need new lower control arm bushings?? thanks in advance
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

11-13-2016, 09:07 AM	#2
feuer Major General 4276 Rep 9,206 Posts Drives: wife crazy! Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (5)	Is cheaper on labor to just replace the whole control arm. If you have 50k+ miles I would repalce both left and right. Alingment is recommended afterwards.
	Appreciate 1 Quote

11-15-2016, 12:18 PM	#3
unrealii Captain 75 Rep 630 Posts Drives: '09 335 E93 6MT Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Socal iTrader: (3) Garage List 2002 Toyota 4Runner [0.00] 2009 BMW 335I [10.00]	I'd check with more owners to see if its normal. Here's my car with M3 control arms with less than 5K miles on them __________________ Convertible \| Manual \| M-Sport \| MHD Stage 1 + FMIC \| 335is Clutch \| ER CP \| RB Inlets \| VRSF 5" Stepped FMIC \| M3 F/R Control Arms \| KW V3 \| Hawk HPS Pads \| Stoptech Slotted Rotors \| Blackvue DR650-2CH Dash Cam \| LCI Taillights
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-15-2016, 03:32 PM	#4
335duff Private First Class 25 Rep 114 Posts Drives: 2011 335d E90 Join Date: May 2015 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	Theres nothing wrong with the arms in the video, they're supposed to rotate like that.
	Appreciate 0 Quote