BMW Control Arm

In order to react to the changes in the surface of the road, your BMW has a full suspension system, which gives you a good ride quality and full control of your vehicle. Connecting the tire to the frame of your vehicle is the BMW control arm. Using a set of pivot joints, the unit allows the tire to move in any direction it needs to in response to the road. There is an upper and a lower BMW control arm at each tire, and by pairing them, the tire will always be in the correct vertical position. As the suspension moves, the BMW control arm will experience a large amount of friction. If there is not the proper amount of lubrication in the joints, the joints will begin to wear down. Depending on the vehicle, the BMW control arm may have grease fittings on the joints. To reduce the amount of friction, these joints should be lubricated at least twice a year. Even with proper lubrication, the joints in the BMW control arm will eventually wear down, and for the sake of safety, the affected unit should be replaced. You will find the correct BMW control arm for most vehicles within the pages of our large online catalog. Our version is priced much less that what the dealership would charge, but it meets all of the same quality standards and has a full warranty from the manufacturer. It will be a direct replacement for the old BMW control arm, making the installation straightforward. If you would like to order the BMW control arm from our catalog, it can be easily done through our secure web site, or by pone, with a toll-free call.

The control arm seldom needs repair. However, there are some circumstances that may damage and require you to fix or replace your BMW control arm. When you get into a vehicle accident, the control arm may be bent, forcing you to replace it. Because it is an integral part of your vehicle's front suspension, the arm must be fixed or replaced as soon as possible. In addition, worn-out ball joint and bushings may also require repair or replacement.

Difficulty level: Moderate

Things you'll need:

• Jack and jack stands
• Socket wrench
• Screwdriver
• Ball joint separator or ball joint press
• Rags
• Safety glasses
• Protective gloves

Step 1: Before raising your BMW vehicle onto the jack and jack stands, loosen the wheel lug nuts and block the rear wheels. You can block them with a stone and a piece of dimensional lumber or wheel chocks. Make sure the block or chock is placed tightly behind the wheels. Then, raise the vehicle until it is high enough to allow some workspace under it.

Step 2:Take out the loosened lug nuts as well as the wheel.

Step 3:When the vehicle is properly supported and the wheel is taken out, you now have access to your BMW control arm and other front suspension components. Detach the bushing, which connects the sway bar to the control arm. Let the sway bar stay in place. You only need to disconnect it from the control arm.

Step 4:Check if you have two control arms. If you have an upper and a lower arm, you can find the suspension spring mounted in between them. Make sure to support the lower control arm with a jack before removing anything.

Step 5:Detach the lower ball joint that is connected to the arm from the wheel hub and steering knuckle. You can do this by removing the castle nut at the joint's end first. Take out the cotter pin or the pinch bolt as well. Using a ball joint separator or press, remove the ball joint from the steering knuckle.

Step 6:Take out the mounting bolts of the BMW control arm at the vehicle frame. Remove the control arm.

Step 7:Same with the other components, the control arms must be cleaned and lubricated at every oil inspection. To ensure smooth riding experience, use appropriate good-quality products. Next, check all the bushings, bolts, joints, and steering or suspension parts. Make sure each part is clean, greased, and in good condition. Replace any part that is rusted or showing signs of wear.

Step 8:When you are satisfied with the inspection and done with the patch up, reinstall everything in the reverse way it was removed. Mount the control arm and its mounting bolts. Tighten the bolts when all bolts are in their proper position, including the ball joint stud. Attach the ball joint into the steering knuckle as well as the castle nut and sway bar. Torque the ball joint castle nut. Install the cotter pin. Put back the wheel and tire. Mount the same lug nuts and lower the vehicle to the ground. Tighten the lug nuts.