Lower control arm bushings

[GAM]

Hi guys,
My lower left front control arm is starting to move almost freely and it's time for a new control arm or new bushings. I was initially thinking of replace with the OEM control arm but would enjoy a tighter feel. What have you guys upgraded your controls arms or bushings with and what would you guys recommend?
Thank you

[GAM]

Bump

[thekurgan]

I don't think powerflex is making these for us. I was under the impression that the FCABs were delrin or are you talking about the thrust arm bushings?

[GAM]

Originally Posted by thekurgan

I don't think powerflex is making these for us. I was under the impression that the FCABs were delrin or are you talking about the thrust arm bushings?

My lower left front control arm is moving a lot, looks like the bushings are on their way out. The right lower front control arm moves just a little bit which is normal but the left one moves a lot

[VictorH]

How many miles do you have? I just replaced mine only because I got a set of the mono ball bearings for a very good price. I had 65,000 miles of which several thousand were on the track and my bushings were like new.

The OEM bushing is a really high quality part so it's a bit surprising that yours is worn out, but I guess crummy roads, lots of track use (too much lowering?) and other causes might make it wear out quicker. In regard to the mono ball replacement, they don't really add any harshness or vibration, conversely I can't really tell any difference on the track either. Maybe it's a bit more precise but in my hands the difference is really minimal. Replacement tension arms are not that expensive, something like $90 or so per side and the monoball is much more expensive and the installation is going to take a couple hours(did it myself as my shop didn't want to risk cracking the arm when they pressed out the old bushing, which is not the way to do it anyway).

[W///]

Seems a bit premature for a 2011? You definitely don't hear that very often.

[M3SQRD]

I swapped my FCAB with BimmerWorld's FCAB that uses a fully-sealed bearing - great improvement over the stock rubber bushing. I actually installed them to address the "skip-slip" issue when turning into a corner:

http://store.bimmerworld.com/bimmerw...kit-p1860.aspx

[TXmtrhed]

Originally Posted by M3SQRD

I swapped my FCAB with BimmerWorld's FCAB that uses a fully-sealed bearing - great improvement over the stock rubber bushing. I actually installed them to address the "skip-slip" issue when turning into a corner:

http://store.bimmerworld.com/bimmerw...kit-p1860.aspx

BimmerWorld came out with these right after I bought my JRZ's from them (1.5 yrs ago) which they supplied with the PowerFlex tension rod bushings. The PowerFlex bushings started making noise and I replaced them with the BW bearings last weekend. The bearings are a much better solution.

[lutfy]

Bringing up an old thread. Is this a maint item (car is tracked regularly with 63K on clock)? Reason I ask is that upon stationary and quick left right movements, I hear a little bit of a clunk. Presuming it could be the GC camber plate... Need to inspect it in detail but asking if others had failures/wear issue or just upgraded because of compliannce (or lack of).

TIA

Lutfy

[VictorH]

Lutfy, the other thing to check are you sway bar drop links. That's the only item on my front end to wear out. Both sides on my car have play and make clunking noises when driving. I have BW adjustable ones now sitting on the shelf.

[surlynkid]

I have the bimmerworld unit on my lower control arms. One of the easier bushings to press out and 5 minutes to bolt in as it is not a press in unit.

[squartus]

Was thinking of getting the bimmerworld front lower control arm bearing kit myself, any DIY guide on it or is it fairly straight forward?
Also Bimmerworld told me I would not need an alignment after install, true or no?

[surlynkid]

You'll have to press out the old one. I did it using a ball joint press kit and the ford water pump tool as my cup. Pretty easy with an impact. New one just bolts right in. That part is a breeze. I used blue lock tight on bolts mounting the halves together. They give you new control arm bolts. No alignment should be needed unless you had really bad original bushings and had it aligned based on them.

[squartus]

Ah thank you sir, been meaning to buy a press kit anyway!

[tlrid3r]

Originally Posted by M3SQRD

I swapped my FCAB with BimmerWorld's FCAB that uses a fully-sealed bearing - great improvement over the stock rubber bushing. I actually installed them to address the "skip-slip" issue when turning into a corner:

http://store.bimmerworld.com/bimmerw...kit-p1860.aspx

I installed those as well and love them. with coilover the car feels so precise

[e92zero]

how does that compare to Dinan's version? Any nvh issue?

[surlynkid]

Originally Posted by e92zero

how does that compare to Dinan's version? Any nvh issue?

Exactly the same thing except that you get the privilege of paying $100 more for Dinan. Any time you start removing rubber pieces and put in solid pieces, you are going to feel and hear road noise.

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by lutfy

Bringing up an old thread. Is this a maint item (car is tracked regularly with 63K on clock)? Reason I ask is that upon stationary and quick left right movements, I hear a little bit of a clunk. Presuming it could be the GC camber plate... Need to inspect it in detail but asking if others had failures/wear issue or just upgraded because of compliannce (or lack of).

TIA

Lutfy

The GC plates are a maintenance item. I cleaned and regreased the roller bearings once a year...which is when the clunk would start. Dirt and crap gets in there and then the spring perch won't rotate with the spring as you turn the wheel...which equals clunk.

Which is why I'm a fan of the Vorshlag plates...no clunks, no maintenance.

[VictorH]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

The GC plates are a maintenance item. I cleaned and regreased the roller bearings once a year...which is when the clunk would start. Dirt and crap gets in there and then the spring perch won't rotate with the spring as you turn the wheel...which equals clunk.

Which is why I'm a fan of the Vorshlag plates...no clunks, no maintenance.

What's involved in that? Do you have to disassemble the GC camber plate, i.e. then get a new alignment or can you clean and lube from the bottom once you remove the strut (seems doubtful). Thanks

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by VictorH

What's involved in that? Do you have to disassemble the GC camber plate, i.e. then get a new alignment or can you clean and lube from the bottom once you remove the strut (seems doubtful). Thanks

Yeah, plate needs to come out and disassembled. Takes me about 2-3 hrs. Carefully mark everything and you won't need an alignment.

That's why Vorshlag is better for camber plates. Vorshlag uses a sealed bearing. Mine are 5 years old and not a sound from them. GC uses a roller bearing which some flimsy plastic races which dirt gets into. You probably won't b able to rotate the spring perch by hand (at least it will drag pretty badly)...which is why it is probably clunking.

[squartus]

I put these in yesterday and it is a noticeable difference, sharper steering you also feel more in touch with the road with the little bit extra feel coming through the steering.

Pressing out the first bushing went quick, 2nd... grr was a huge pain. Rubber just stretched out and bottomed out inside my cup. Had to fab something up to make it work. Other than that was a quick job with noticeable results, would recommend.

[JsL]

Originally Posted by M3SQRD

I swapped my FCAB with BimmerWorld's FCAB that uses a fully-sealed bearing - great improvement over the stock rubber bushing. I actually installed them to address the "skip-slip" issue when turning into a corner:

http://store.bimmerworld.com/bimmerw...kit-p1860.aspx

Reviving thread

The quoted link doesn't work anymore. Is this the same part: http://www.bimmerworld.com/BimmerWor...93-M3-E82.html

I don't see "Lower" bushing available on their site, just the "Upper", did they change the name?