Front Control arm bushings install (Pictures/Instructions)

rkj082000 · Feb 20, 2004

Got it out!

I finished grinding down the 2" cap to use to press out the metal sleeve out of the carrier. I took me a long time to grind it to fit perfectly. So I set up the press with it, start turning, and the press pressed right through the cap, uggggg! The sleeve did not budge. Feeling desperate, I took the carrier with the sleeve still inside to the local shop to see if the mech. could take a look. Five minutes later it was out. The guy was amazing to watch. He used a air hammer and a recipricating saw and it came right out. So last night I pressed the new bushings in. Only thing left to do is bolt everything back together, which I plan on doing this afternoon. I have enough plumbing caps and plugs, and misc. crap to open up a plumbing warehouse, hehehe. A word of advice to avoid my problem, make sure when you press out the old bushing that press is perfectly straight before you start pressing, if starts out crooked at all, the sleeve will be stuck. Other than that, it's relatively easy. Are there any other bushings I should look at replacing while I have the press rented? If so where are they located. Thanks

tim330i · Feb 20, 2004

Sorry you had a problem with my techniqe. As I said I am not sure it is the best way but it did work for me.

Not really an easy install because of the OE sleeves but otherwise it isn't too bad.

Tim

rkj082000 · Feb 20, 2004

tim330i said:
Sorry you had a problem with my techniqe. As I said I am not sure it is the best way but it did work for me.

Not really an easy install because of the OE sleeves but otherwise it isn't too bad.

Tim

Not at all criticizing your technique, if I had made sure that I had everything dead straight on the press before I started, I am sure it would have worked. Besides, without your write up I would have never attempted this myself. Just glad they are out and I can finish it up today. Thanks Tim for your help couldn't have done it without you or this board.

tim330i · Feb 20, 2004

:thumbup:

Glad I could help! I wasn't taking it personally, just saying that I was sorry that it didn't work out of you.

Tim

nospam · Mar 2, 2004

I found removal/installation tools for rent at http://www.koalamotorsport.com/mall/toolprice.htm
Still a bit expensive to rent

IanUK · Mar 3, 2004

Excellent write up Tim, every E46er should read it! My car's steering is pretty much all over the place because of the standard worn-out bushes.

Could you tell me, is there any increase in road noise transmitted inside the car or any other "undesirable" effect like tyre rumble noise etc or banging over pot holes :bump:

One feature I like about my car is its silky smooth.

Thanks

Ian

tim330i · Mar 3, 2004

check the main page of the site (www.e46fanatics.com) for my write up.

Tim

bbh03 · Mar 3, 2004

tim330i said:
check the main page of the site (www.e46fanatics.com) for my write up.

Tim

My buddy is considering this mod, he has 40k miles. Is there a benefit to this. For that matter, is there a benefit if you have a brand new car??? Tim, sweet write up, as always!

BimmerPhan · Mar 3, 2004

bbh03 said:
My buddy is considering this mod, he has 40k miles. Is there a benefit to this. For that matter, is there a benefit if you have a brand new car??? Tim, sweet write up, as always!

I would not bother doing it on a new car, the main point of doing it is because they are supposed to last longer than OEM, besides a new car would be covered under warranty if the bushing goes, save it for post-warranty...

CynicalWry · Mar 6, 2004

I was told by a tech that I need to have my front control arms/bushing replaced. With these new bushings, do I have to replace the control arms and the bushings still? Any part numbers?
Your write up looks amazing! I can't wait to do it on my car.

BimmerPhan · Mar 6, 2004

CynicalWry said:
I was told by a tech that I need to have my front control arms/bushing replaced. With these new bushings, do I have to replace the control arms and the bushings still? Any part numbers?
Your write up looks amazing! I can't wait to do it on my car.

Did the tech say you needed both the CA AND bushing (or was he just going to replace both because that's what they usually do???)

You can replace only the bushings, you just cant replace only the CAs because you cant reuse a used bushing (it gets damaged pulling it off the CA supposedly)...

New control arms are $83 each from Pacific.

CynicalWry · Mar 6, 2004

UTGrad said:
Did the tech say you needed both the CA AND bushing (or was he just going to replace both because that's what they usually do???)

You can replace only the bushings, you just cant replace only the CAs because you cant reuse a used bushing (it gets damaged pulling it off the CA supposedly)...

New control arms are $83 each from Pacific.

I can understand wear on the bushing, but what wear would be on the control arms? Is the "wishbone" the control arm on the ETK?

tim330i · Mar 6, 2004

The ball joints wear and get lose. I am not sure what it is in the ETK.

HiMiles · Mar 7, 2004

Control Arms

Control arms are the "Wishbone" on the ETK. I bought mine from the dealership 6 months before the aftermarket ones came out and this is what they called it on the receipt as well.

CynicalWry · Mar 8, 2004

HiMiles said:
Control arms are the "Wishbone" on the ETK. I bought mine from the dealership 6 months before the aftermarket ones came out and this is what they called it on the receipt as well.

There are aftermarket control arms?

HiMiles · Mar 8, 2004

Control Arms

The Bushings could be bought aftermarket not the control arms. I bought control arms and bushings from the dealership when really all I needed to replace was the bushings. At that time, there were no aftermarket bushings and I just wanted to get rid of the vibration, so I replaced both control arms and bushings. Not a smart move!

Titan 3 · Mar 28, 2004

Tim,

I just replaces my bushings. with the help of HiMiles, and now how a serious vibration in thr front end. Did you need an alignment after doing this install? Everything went pretty smooth but can't handle the vibration.

Thx,
Mike

IanUK · Mar 28, 2004

You may need to get your wheels balanced. The worn bushes were probably soaking up any vibration before and now the new bushes are feeding it through the car

HiMiles · Mar 28, 2004

Bushings

Thanks IanUK. This makes sense. tim330i any feedback on that? Did you have to do alignment afterwards?

jbriedis · Apr 15, 2004

Nice writeup!

I did experience a problem with these bushings under hard driving. The inner sleeve actually pushed up the control arm a bit under load and stayed up there. The result was that the inner sleeve was no longer seated properly in the delrin outer portion. Not sure how to solve it. I may make some sort of clamp that can prevent this from happening.

-Jason

Front Control arm bushings install (Pictures/Instructions)

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