CONTROL ARMS BUSHES now with video

Stallion found this on youtube check to see if this is the problem,

this is what my one is doing (and my poor attempt to explain :) )

i also found a how to replace it video but i will view first to see any good will update SOON

this video (replacing bushes on control arm) is awsome easy peazy if you have the right tools :clap:

the link


I cant believe this :dropjaw: sorry guys to bore you but wow


this is what it looks like with worn bushes
 

Nelson

New member
Man. It has just strike me, that they replaced the rear trailing arm bushes too. Might just want to have those ones too.
 

MAreff

New member
Hi guys. i'm new to this so excuse the ignorance.

I own a 2000 318i manual. First beemer.
i'm experiencing a constant vibration on my steering from 80km upwards. When i go on uneven roads or bumps, theres a rattling noise in my steering column. my front wheels feel a little wobbly as well. I've been to 3 or 4 mechs and each one has a different diagnosis. One mech says it's the steering rack, the other says it's my control arms and bushes.
i've replaced the lower control arm bushes and the rack ends and i still experience the same problem. the latest diagnosis i got was yesterday: The mech says it "COULD" be the steering spindle upper and lower thats causing the noise in the column. The stealers want R 3700 for the parts. Thats crazy. Please can anyone assist or put in contact with someone that can assist...
 

StK

New member
MAreff said:
Hi guys. i'm new to this so excuse the ignorance.

I own a 2000 318i manual. First beemer.
i'm experiencing a constant vibration on my steering from 80km upwards. When i go on uneven roads or bumps, theres a rattling noise in my steering column. my front wheels feel a little wobbly as well. I've been to 3 or 4 mechs and each one has a different diagnosis. One mech says it's the steering rack, the other says it's my control arms and bushes.
i've replaced the lower control arm bushes and the rack ends and i still experience the same problem. the latest diagnosis i got was yesterday: The mech says it "COULD" be the steering spindle upper and lower thats causing the noise in the column. The stealers want R 3700 for the parts. Thats crazy. Please can anyone assist or put in contact with someone that can assist...

Did you have the tracking done after having control arms fitted?Are your tyres worn?are they wearing unevenly?Are they balanced?Ever had an accident?Are the wheels rubbing anywhere when on full lock?Have you checked the bearings?
 

msm

Well-known member
MAreff said:
Hi guys. i'm new to this so excuse the ignorance.

I own a 2000 318i manual. First beemer.
i'm experiencing a constant vibration on my steering from 80km upwards. When i go on uneven roads or bumps, theres a rattling noise in my steering column. my front wheels feel a little wobbly as well. I've been to 3 or 4 mechs and each one has a different diagnosis. One mech says it's the steering rack, the other says it's my control arms and bushes.
i've replaced the lower control arm bushes and the rack ends and i still experience the same problem. the latest diagnosis i got was yesterday: The mech says it "COULD" be the steering spindle upper and lower thats causing the noise in the column. The stealers want R 3700 for the parts. Thats crazy. Please can anyone assist or put in contact with someone that can assist...

Are your mags/wheels ok (i.e not buckled) and did you check your balancing. Also, after replacing the lower control arm bushes, did you redo your alignment.


StK said:
Legacy said:
If some of you still haven't figured out how many there are it basically works like this on the E46:

Bushes.jpg

Part No2 is the anti-roll bar bushes

If part No2 are worn then you can experience vibration at speed,rubbing when turning the wheel,odd sensation when brakeing,knocking...Opinion is varied on whether to replace these with OEM or with powerflex...many say that powerflex don't work as well on the control arms as OEM ones however I have not had a problem with powerflex...also powerflex are stiffer so you get a more direct feel when steering

I'm thinking of replacing my anti roll bar bushes. I'm experiencing some of the symptoms (but very slightly and at high speed only :mmm: ) and think it might be good preventative maintenance in any case.

NB: I had the normal control arm bushes (Part 1) replaced recently, and they were quite badly f&*(Ked when it was pulled out. Hence, I'm thinking of doing the roll bar ones as new bushes should sharpen up the handling a bit too.

Anyway, BMW wants R205 each. Is there anyone else in Gauteng that also stocks these? I think I have the 24mm ones, but will jack up the car on the weekend to verify size.
 

MAreff

New member
StK said:
MAreff said:
Hi guys. i'm new to this so excuse the ignorance.

I own a 2000 318i manual. First beemer.
i'm experiencing a constant vibration on my steering from 80km upwards. When i go on uneven roads or bumps, theres a rattling noise in my steering column. my front wheels feel a little wobbly as well. I've been to 3 or 4 mechs and each one has a different diagnosis. One mech says it's the steering rack, the other says it's my control arms and bushes.
i've replaced the lower control arm bushes and the rack ends and i still experience the same problem. the latest diagnosis i got was yesterday: The mech says it "COULD" be the steering spindle upper and lower thats causing the noise in the column. The stealers want R 3700 for the parts. Thats crazy. Please can anyone assist or put in contact with someone that can assist...

Did you have the tracking done after having control arms fitted?Are your tyres worn?are they wearing unevenly?Are they balanced?Ever had an accident?Are the wheels rubbing anywhere when on full lock?Have you checked the bearings?

No tracking done. What that? I replaces lower control arm bushes. tyres are brand new all round. tyres have been balanced after i put the new tyres, balanced after the 2 back mags came back from unbuckling and balanced again after the rack ends were done a week ago. i'm the 3rd owner and as far as i know, the car was not in an accident.

msm said:
MAreff said:
Hi guys. i'm new to this so excuse the ignorance.

I own a 2000 318i manual. First beemer.
i'm experiencing a constant vibration on my steering from 80km upwards. When i go on uneven roads or bumps, theres a rattling noise in my steering column. my front wheels feel a little wobbly as well. I've been to 3 or 4 mechs and each one has a different diagnosis. One mech says it's the steering rack, the other says it's my control arms and bushes.
i've replaced the lower control arm bushes and the rack ends and i still experience the same problem. the latest diagnosis i got was yesterday: The mech says it "COULD" be the steering spindle upper and lower thats causing the noise in the column. The stealers want R 3700 for the parts. Thats crazy. Please can anyone assist or put in contact with someone that can assist...

Are your mags/wheels ok (i.e not buckled) and did you check your balancing. Also, after replacing the lower control arm bushes, did you redo your alignment.


StK said:
Legacy said:
If some of you still haven't figured out how many there are it basically works like this on the E46:

Bushes.jpg

Part No2 is the anti-roll bar bushes

If part No2 are worn then you can experience vibration at speed,rubbing when turning the wheel,odd sensation when brakeing,knocking...Opinion is varied on whether to replace these with OEM or with powerflex...many say that powerflex don't work as well on the control arms as OEM ones however I have not had a problem with powerflex...also powerflex are stiffer so you get a more direct feel when steering

I'm thinking of replacing my anti roll bar bushes. I'm experiencing some of the symptoms (but very slightly and at high speed only :mmm: ) and think it might be good preventative maintenance in any case.

NB: I had the normal control arm bushes (Part 1) replaced recently, and they were quite badly f&*(Ked when it was pulled out. Hence, I'm thinking of doing the roll bar ones as new bushes should sharpen up the handling a bit too.

Anyway, BMW wants R205 each. Is there anyone else in Gauteng that also stocks these? I think I have the 24mm ones, but will jack up the car on the weekend to verify size.


My back 2 mags were buckeled and have been repaired and balancing done. Balancing and allignment done when i replaced the tyres all round. balancing and allignment done again last week after the rack ends were replaced.
 

MAreff

New member
Ok guys here goes. i have now replaced control arm bushes, rack ends and control arms. the vibration in the steering is still there and the rattle in the steering column is stll there when i drive over uneven roads or bumps. theres play on the steering as well. My mech tells me its the steering rack that needs to be reconed. the other issue i'm having is that when i turn my steering full to the left or right there a noise like a fast knocking sound and like something is old and creeky. Please advise guys cos this is not the best feeling i'm having owning my first beemer.:banghead::cursin::bawling:
 

MAreff

New member
shadow worrior said:
have you checked your breaks - pads calipers discs

yes my back brakes were replaced 3 weeks ago. the discs are all fine too. back caliper clip was bent but that was sorted.
 

Maveric12

New member
My car going into Reynolds to have bushes/Front suspension checked out and hopefully for repair (if nott to expesive)...will update here...
23/11/2010 - Ok Car went in this morning and they checked her out and wot they found was 1 lower control arm bush in its chops...and the steering rack ends....I said they must confirm and let me know....the price etc...
 
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