thrust arms..change the whole arm or just the bushing

[silverz06vette]

This is on a 99 740il, but I figured you guys would know best.

52k freakin' miles, just bought it 3 weeks ago. I thought the CPO warranty would cover them, dealer and call to BMWNA said no.

Thru BMA the LEMFOERDER arms with the bushings are $136-138 each.

The bushings alone are $31 each:

SACHS Front Control Arm Bushing
Bushing Kit
Axle Support to Strut

I should be able to get a machine shop to press the new bushings in for $30 at the most.

I have replaced the control arms on our 94 540 at 112k and at 160k they need it again. I did not buy the LEMFOERDER arms at the time.

Will the sachs bushings last?

[Martin in Bellevue]

The e28 guys love the Paul Grey bushings.

http://www.gruntsbushings.com/

[632 Regal]

replace the whole arm, my reasoning is this: the bushing could have gone bad from improper installation BUT if it was installed right then the balljoint would probably have wear in it which as you know ...any play in the front end of a BMW is a bad thing. New is gooder!

[silverz06vette]

I sent them an email to see if they carry their bushing for a E38. Thanks!

[Bill in MA]

I bought new control arms (without bushings) and got the grunts ones pressed it. Ball joints in the old ones were trashed. No more shimmy.

[silverz06vette]

Where did you get the new control arms?

How many miles so far on them?

Thanks!

[dv82u]

Change the thruster arms. Use Lemford stuff. They're cheap at BMA Autoparts.

[silverz06vette]

P grey does not carry busning for the E38. So I will just do the lemford arms.