Control arm movement...how much should there be?
Discussion
Does anyone know how much movement there should be in lower control arms (or wishbones, or thrust arms as they are often called)?
I looked at mine and there was some movement, but there were quite stiff and not cracked etc. They are fluid filled so I would expect some "give" but I am getting a shake at certain speeds and all other suspects have been eliminated.
So should they be "really" stiff, or just "quite" stiff?
Thanks
I looked at mine and there was some movement, but there were quite stiff and not cracked etc. They are fluid filled so I would expect some "give" but I am getting a shake at certain speeds and all other suspects have been eliminated.
So should they be "really" stiff, or just "quite" stiff?
Thanks
Hi again!
We had the car on a ramp and we used a pry bar levering againts other solid parts.
The wheel s are totally straigh and balanced perfectly to "0" (the garage is used by lots of people specifically for balancing issues and they have an excellent reputation) so i am confident its not the wheels.
Its not the prop or anything related to that as if you pop it into neutral (its an auto) the shimmy/vibration is still there) and I dont think its the discs as at lower speeds there is no pulsing through the pedal, plus when on the ramp the front wheels spun freeley.
All help will be VERY much apprciated!
We had the car on a ramp and we used a pry bar levering againts other solid parts.
The wheel s are totally straigh and balanced perfectly to "0" (the garage is used by lots of people specifically for balancing issues and they have an excellent reputation) so i am confident its not the wheels.
Its not the prop or anything related to that as if you pop it into neutral (its an auto) the shimmy/vibration is still there) and I dont think its the discs as at lower speeds there is no pulsing through the pedal, plus when on the ramp the front wheels spun freeley.
All help will be VERY much apprciated!
Is it a BMW?
There's a lot on this sort of issue on most BMW internet forums. A common issue on multi-link suspensions of this variety. Also, have you eliminated a partially seized brake caliper from your investigation?
I've got two E39s and it is difficult to establish wear by visual inspection on the arm that is the most common culprit. Often the bush on the end of the arm looks 'fine' and seems OK when you pry on it, but wear is nevertheless there. Some people just change the offending bush (sometimes with a Powerflex polyurethane one) but best to change the whole arm since there's a ball joint on the other end of the arm and that's probably knackered as well.
Since you've eliminated most other possible causes my guess is the bush on the end of the arm is worn, not enough to see or test, but enough to give you vibration or shimmy.
There's a lot on this sort of issue on most BMW internet forums. A common issue on multi-link suspensions of this variety. Also, have you eliminated a partially seized brake caliper from your investigation?
I've got two E39s and it is difficult to establish wear by visual inspection on the arm that is the most common culprit. Often the bush on the end of the arm looks 'fine' and seems OK when you pry on it, but wear is nevertheless there. Some people just change the offending bush (sometimes with a Powerflex polyurethane one) but best to change the whole arm since there's a ball joint on the other end of the arm and that's probably knackered as well.
Since you've eliminated most other possible causes my guess is the bush on the end of the arm is worn, not enough to see or test, but enough to give you vibration or shimmy.
Edited by Depthhoar on Thursday 3rd April 09:13
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