Front Control Arm Issue/Question

mahunc · 04-29-2011, 12:16 PM

Last week I took my car in to a reputable local BMW service shop for an oil change and the tech mentioned that I needed a new front upper control arm bushing kit soon and gave me an estimate of $450. Today I decided to take my car to the dealerership to get an estimate and they told me that my car (2007 E90) does not have front upper control arms???

I am not familiar enough with the underpinnings of my car, but I would assume that it does in fact have both upper and lower control arms in the front. Am I wrong?

I have not noticed any difference in the feel of the car on the road lately. What negative effect(s) would a worn out or damaged bushing have on the driving dynamics?

Thanks in advance for any light someone can shed.

e90pilot · 04-29-2011, 12:42 PM

The E90 does not have upper control arms. They probably ment lower control arm bushings which do go bad. If they pop, you'll see goo dripping from bushing. Also your steering wheel will vibrate at certain speeds (usually around 55). This can cause uneven tire wear or feathering.

mahunc · 04-29-2011, 03:12 PM

Thanks for the info!

HP Autosport · 05-01-2011, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mahunc

Thanks for the info!

If you are replacing the oe front control arms bushings or arms, consider upgrading to the the HD style from Meyle(aftermarket) or the M3 version, both have higher durometer bushings and will last a lot longer.

UsnRoberts · 07-14-2011, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e90pilot

The E90 does not have upper control arms. They probably ment lower control arm bushings which do go bad. If they pop, you'll see goo dripping from bushing. Also your steering wheel will vibrate at certain speeds (usually around 55). This can cause uneven tire wear or feathering.

This is what forums are made for. You just saved me a ton of money! Now to order some control arms and find a good DIY

Thumperx · 07-15-2011, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HP Autowerks

If you are replacing the oe front control arms bushings or arms, consider upgrading to the the HD style from Meyle(aftermarket) or the M3 version, both have higher durometer bushings and will last a lot longer.

x2

UsnRoberts · 07-16-2011, 12:55 AM

I ordered the m3 kit from Tischer and it shipped yesterday. Now for the hard part!

04-29-2011, 12:16 PM	#1
mahunc New Member 0 Rep 28 Posts Drives: 2007 E90 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Washington, DC iTrader: (0)	Front Control Arm Issue/Question Last week I took my car in to a reputable local BMW service shop for an oil change and the tech mentioned that I needed a new front upper control arm bushing kit soon and gave me an estimate of $450. Today I decided to take my car to the dealerership to get an estimate and they told me that my car (2007 E90) does not have front upper control arms??? I am not familiar enough with the underpinnings of my car, but I would assume that it does in fact have both upper and lower control arms in the front. Am I wrong? I have not noticed any difference in the feel of the car on the road lately. What negative effect(s) would a worn out or damaged bushing have on the driving dynamics? Thanks in advance for any light someone can shed.
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04-29-2011, 12:42 PM	#2
e90pilot Freight Dawg 104 Rep 2,103 Posts Drives: E90 325i Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Oakland, CA iTrader: (3)	The E90 does not have upper control arms. They probably ment lower control arm bushings which do go bad. If they pop, you'll see goo dripping from bushing. Also your steering wheel will vibrate at certain speeds (usually around 55). This can cause uneven tire wear or feathering. __________________ --Marcelo '06 Arctic Metallic 325i \| Sport Package \| 6MT \| Dinan Stage III suspension \| Dinan exhaust \| 330i manifold swap! Click here! \| Active Autowerke tune \| 135i Brake Calipers \| Deiselboost caliper brackets \| E46 M3 front rotors
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04-29-2011, 03:12 PM	#3
mahunc New Member 0 Rep 28 Posts Drives: 2007 E90 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Washington, DC iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the info!
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07-16-2011, 12:55 AM	#7
UsnRoberts Private First Class 11 Rep 151 Posts Drives: 2008 328i sport Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Jville iTrader: (0)	I ordered the m3 kit from Tischer and it shipped yesterday. Now for the hard part!
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