Play in Control Arm Bushings (UPDATED w/Pics and Video)

Youds · 09-24-2017, 09:48 PM

Hi guys,

Trying to diagnose a problem with my car. I notice that I am able to move my control arm bushings a little bit at this joint in the picture.

View post on imgur.com

Requires a bit of effort but should there be any play? The joint cant move left to right.

UPDATE

I took a video showing the movement when I move the tire back and forth. I also took pics of the other side, which seems to move left, showing what looks like could be fluid coming out. Can I safely say these may be shot and causing my vibration problem?

Video - https://streamable.com/owyer

Pics -

View post on imgur.com

The Nightman · 09-25-2017, 11:38 AM

The tension strut bushing is a common failure point after 60k mi. If you see black fluid coming out from it then it's due for replacement. You could upgrade to M3 tension struts which have a solid bushing but NVH does increase quite a bit.

Mine failed at 70k mi. Fluid was leaking from the bushing and the front end would wander under hard braking.

Youds · 09-25-2017, 01:18 PM

No fluid from what I can see just a bit of play in it.

I get a steering wheel shimmy at about 50 mph. This has continued after new pads, rotors, and tires plus an alignment and a couple balances. Everything else feels tight and no sound from bearings... have had a shop look at it a couple of times with no fix. Should probably make a thread about that. Going to get a second opinion as well.

Youds · 09-26-2017, 08:23 PM

UPDATE

I took a video showing the movement when I move the tire back and forth. I also took pics of the other side, which seems to move left, showing what looks like could be fluid coming out. Can I safely say these may be shot and causing my vibration problem?

Video - https://streamable.com/owyer

Pics -

View post on imgur.com

juld0zer · 09-27-2017, 07:10 AM

Going by the pic of the bush, that's definitely split. I bet you get a massive clonk every time you brake?

Youds · 09-27-2017, 10:32 AM

Nothing at all when I brake actually. Guess I'll order some parts

jwebb335xi · 09-27-2017, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Youds

UPDATE

I took a video showing the movement when I move the tire back and forth. I also took pics of the other side, which seems to move left, showing what looks like could be fluid coming out. Can I safely say these may be shot and causing my vibration problem?

Video - https://streamable.com/owyer

Pics -

View post on imgur.com

I'm no expert on suspensions, but if it were my car, I'd order arms with bushings, install and call it done!

weehe126 · 09-27-2017, 04:26 PM

That black residue is the fluid freedomfries is talking about. Replace them, they are shot.

Youds · 09-27-2017, 11:19 PM

Sounds good, I will replace and report back. Thanks!

The Nightman · 09-29-2017, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Youds

UPDATE

I took a video showing the movement when I move the tire back and forth. I also took pics of the other side, which seems to move left, showing what looks like could be fluid coming out. Can I safely say these may be shot and causing my vibration problem?

Video - https://streamable.com/owyer

Pics -

View post on imgur.com

That's how my bushings looked at 60k miles. They haven't completely failed yet but they're almost there. Within 10k miles, my bushings degraded to the point where the front would clunk on turns and wander under hard braking. The handling was noticeably looser compared to before as well.

Here's how my bushings looked at 70k miles (fluid was dripping out):

Now that you mention vibrations, I used to experience a slight vibration on the highway but I attributed it to my spacers. The vibration hasn't returned since upgrading to M3 tension struts.

Also just realized you're also in BC

Youds · 09-29-2017, 11:24 AM

Great pics, looks early similar haha. Parts are ordered and will go in next week. Ha yep, but I'm in the part of BC that I only get to drive this in the summer. This is my last issue to fix then I will be selling, sadly.

mifesto · 10-30-2017, 09:11 AM

Youds, 50-60mph shimmy is a classic sign of a failing lower control arm bushing in many bmw models. before removing the actual bolt on subframe side, get the proper balljoint separator to save you headache. as much as online videos show hammering it will simply pop it out, i've rarely seen it succeed.

juld0zer · 10-30-2017, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mifesto

Youds, 50-60mph shimmy is a classic sign of a failing lower control arm bushing in many bmw models. before removing the actual bolt on subframe side, get the proper balljoint separator to save you headache. as much as online videos show hammering it will simply pop it out, i've rarely seen it succeed.

Usually ends up mushrooming the threaded end instead.
Although it's against many recommendations, it can be done with a good dousing of penetrating lube on the threads and around the knuckle where the ball joint goes into. Then use a strong rattle gun and the vibration often budges it.

But if you don't have a press, it might be worth considering an OE equivalent replacement arm so you can beat out the old one.

09-24-2017, 09:48 PM	#1
Youds New Member 3 Rep 15 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 335i Coupe Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: British Columbia iTrader: (0)	Play in Control Arm Bushings (UPDATED w/Pics and Video) Hi guys, Trying to diagnose a problem with my car. I notice that I am able to move my control arm bushings a little bit at this joint in the picture. View post on imgur.com Requires a bit of effort but should there be any play? The joint cant move left to right. UPDATE I took a video showing the movement when I move the tire back and forth. I also took pics of the other side, which seems to move left, showing what looks like could be fluid coming out. Can I safely say these may be shot and causing my vibration problem? Video - https://streamable.com/owyer Pics - View post on imgur.com Last edited by Youds; 09-26-2017 at 08:23 PM..
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09-25-2017, 11:38 AM	#2
The Nightman Cometh 1090 Rep 1,302 Posts Drives: Boy's Soul Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Boy's Hole iTrader: (4) Garage List E90 LCI "330i& ... [10.00]	The tension strut bushing is a common failure point after 60k mi. If you see black fluid coming out from it then it's due for replacement. You could upgrade to M3 tension struts which have a solid bushing but NVH does increase quite a bit. Mine failed at 70k mi. Fluid was leaking from the bushing and the front end would wander under hard braking. Last edited by The Nightman; 09-25-2017 at 02:05 PM..
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09-25-2017, 01:18 PM	#3
Youds New Member 3 Rep 15 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 335i Coupe Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: British Columbia iTrader: (0)	No fluid from what I can see just a bit of play in it. I get a steering wheel shimmy at about 50 mph. This has continued after new pads, rotors, and tires plus an alignment and a couple balances. Everything else feels tight and no sound from bearings... have had a shop look at it a couple of times with no fix. Should probably make a thread about that. Going to get a second opinion as well.
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09-26-2017, 08:23 PM	#4
Youds New Member 3 Rep 15 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 335i Coupe Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: British Columbia iTrader: (0)	UPDATE I took a video showing the movement when I move the tire back and forth. I also took pics of the other side, which seems to move left, showing what looks like could be fluid coming out. Can I safely say these may be shot and causing my vibration problem? Video - https://streamable.com/owyer Pics - View post on imgur.com
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09-27-2017, 07:10 AM	#5
juld0zer Lieutenant Colonel 480 Rep 1,600 Posts Drives: Prev 135i 7DCT, Now 130i 6sp Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: 2153 iTrader: (0)	Going by the pic of the bush, that's definitely split. I bet you get a massive clonk every time you brake?
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09-27-2017, 10:32 AM	#6
Youds New Member 3 Rep 15 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 335i Coupe Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: British Columbia iTrader: (0)	Nothing at all when I brake actually. Guess I'll order some parts
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09-27-2017, 04:26 PM	#8
weehe126 Brigadier General 1161 Rep 3,185 Posts Drives: 2017 340i Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: San Antonio iTrader: (2)	That black residue is the fluid freedomfries is talking about. Replace them, they are shot.
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09-27-2017, 11:19 PM	#9
Youds New Member 3 Rep 15 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 335i Coupe Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: British Columbia iTrader: (0)	Sounds good, I will replace and report back. Thanks!
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09-29-2017, 11:24 AM	#11
Youds New Member 3 Rep 15 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 335i Coupe Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: British Columbia iTrader: (0)	Great pics, looks early similar haha. Parts are ordered and will go in next week. Ha yep, but I'm in the part of BC that I only get to drive this in the summer. This is my last issue to fix then I will be selling, sadly.
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10-30-2017, 09:11 AM	#12
mifesto Private First Class 26 Rep 141 Posts Drives: 2008 335xi Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: nj iTrader: (1)	Youds, 50-60mph shimmy is a classic sign of a failing lower control arm bushing in many bmw models. before removing the actual bolt on subframe side, get the proper balljoint separator to save you headache. as much as online videos show hammering it will simply pop it out, i've rarely seen it succeed.
	Appreciate 0 Quote