E39 track control arm bushes

[BliarOut]

What's the 'easiest' way to do these if you haven't got a ramp? I'm intending to fit Powerflex ones leaving the control arms in situ either cutting or pressing the old bushes out. Is it worth doing the tie bar to chassis bushes at the same time or don't they wear?

[ferrisbueller]

I've got a Haynes manual here if you want it?

[BliarOut]

You've not even got an E39.. Unless you've got an M

[Pickled Piper]

We may be confusing nomenclature here but the control arm comes as a complete assembly with new ball joint. Original part from GSF for about £90 +VAT. I would go this route unless you particularly want to fit Powerflex bushes. The upper thrust rod can be rebushed. Original bush about £38+VAT from GSF. If you want to rebush this I would recommend removing the whole arm so you can put it in a bench vice or similar. This means breaking the ball joint at the other end.

Good luck.

pp

[BliarOut]

Ball joints are fine, looks like you can lower both arms and press the bushes in/out in situ. I made a puller up for the griff but it looks like you can do the bm with a STD three legged puller. I just wanted to check before I start.

[ferrisbueller]

BliarOut said:

You've not even got an E39.. Unless you've got an M

Do you want it or not?!

[eliot]

Dont they need to be tightened up with the weight of the car on the suspension>. How can you do that if its up on ramps? Brand new OEM ones are probably a better bet than aftermarket poly ones TBH.
I had all of mine changed in one sitting. (100k on a 540). The control arms were fine, but the traction struts were shot.

edit good photo of the parts here:
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.ph...

Edited by eliot on Tuesday 6th July 07:23

[BliarOut]

Poly's don't need tightening 'on the deck'. Yes Ferry, would come in handy!

[ferrisbueller]

I'll drop it round.

[BliarOut]

Good man, not today I'm in bed already

[8Tech]

The thrust arm bushes are more prone to failure than the track control arm bushes. As the Powerflex bushes rotate more like a bearing instead of twist like the OEM bushes, you do not need to pre-load them.
You really cannot compare urethane aftermarket bushes to GSF pattern ones, they are like chalk and cheese and I would go Powerflex every time, without hesitation.

8Tech.

[Pickled Piper]

8Tech said:

The thrust arm bushes are more prone to failure than the track control arm bushes. As the Powerflex bushes rotate more like a bearing instead of twist like the OEM bushes, you do not need to pre-load them.
You really cannot compare urethane aftermarket bushes to GSF pattern ones, they are like chalk and cheese and I would go Powerflex every time, without hesitation.

8Tech.

You can buy genuine bushes from GSF not all of the parts are pattern. However, if anyone wants Poly bushes then go for it. The Poly verses OEM debate has been done many times on this forum.

pp

[eliot]

my thrusts were stuffed but the tracks were good - and that was after 60k miles (on top of 40k miles) of Milton Keynes roundabouts.
So unless you know they have been done, I would look at them first - as its a common problem. (shimmy during braking or around 50 mph is another clue)

[BliarOut]

I've got the shimmy and I thought I'd tighten the front up with poly's while I'm at it. For the few extra quid I might as well do both while she's in the air.

[eliot]

BliarOut said:

I've got the shimmy and I thought I'd tighten the front up with poly's while I'm at it. For the few extra quid I might as well do both while she's in the air.

that will be your traction struts bob. I did both, but used OEM. Track controls were fine, no movement at-all.

Edited by eliot on Wednesday 7th July 21:08

[ferrisbueller]

BliarOut said:

Good man, not today I'm in bed already

Weekend?

[BliarOut]

Should be about, gimme a bell first