Replacing Control Arm Bushings

[scott66]

Has anyone ever replaced the control arm bushings on their E39 5 series. I can save myself $300 in labor if anyone has any info as to what steps can be taken and what difficulty level it might be? The plastic inside of my bushings is cracked, its a typical repair for a BMW near 100,000 miles.

[325isBaby]

You will need a press and BE CAREFUL most BMW bushings are liquid filled, if you rupture the rubber or have the press misaligned u will destroy your new bushings and that kinda defeats the purpose right. I was able to complete my first control arm bushing replacement under book time, it really wasnt all that difficult.

[Eric S.]

Buy the entire E39 front end kit (I-6 or V8 as appropriate) from FCPGroton on e-Bay (a 99.9% vendor), and you will promptly receive not only a bushing, but completely new lower control arms (both fore and aft), with the NEW BUSHINGS ALREADY PRESSED IN!! You also get new tie rod ends, and in the I-6 kit, sway bar end links are also thrown in.

This also eliminates the need to have the special $250 ball joint press tool (yes, you have ball joints that also wear out, on the other ends of those arms), because it doesn't matter how much you bang on the old arm to get it out (you wouldn't be re-using it).

Just a suggestion. Other than that I agree with the above comments if you are going to be pressing a new bushing into the arm.