Pressing In New Upper Control Arm Bushings

[JMI]

So I used to think Lemforder upper control (thrust) arms with the 750i bushings were the "gold standard" but now it appears the poly-urethane or the M5 bushings are the way to go. If I need to press them in myself then I have a few questions:

1) A "regular" hydraulic press is all that is needed to press them in?

2) Maybe piece of pipe/steel of the proper diameter to engage the outer steel jacket of bushing when pressing in?

3) Is there a particular orientation of the bushing in the control arm or does it just need to be fully seated?

4) Can I get Lemforder control arms with the M5 or the poly-urethane bushings already pressed in?

Thanks

Jim

[Rus]

1) Yes, a regular 20 ton hydraulic press is required.
2) I would advise that you use tools specifically designed for pressing in bushings. Considering how much pressure you'll be exerting on the part, you can be seriously injured should the piece of pipe split or fly out.
3) There is a mark on both the bushing and the control arm. The control arm I believe has an arrow. Bushings that have the plastic end-caps have a molded arrow/mark. M5 bushings may be different.
4) Yes you can. BMA will sell you that package. Their website is www.bmaparts.com You may have to call them to get the M5 bushing combo if its not listed on the website.

HTH

[Jehu]

Bav Auto sells a tool for $174.95 to DIY in situ
http://www.bavauto.com//assets/product_images/tool/controlarmtool.jpg

[bill g]

I replaced the bushings without removing the arms completely from the car using this procedure from Gales repair page -

http://www.nmia.com/~dgnrg/page_26.htm

The bushings came out and went in OK. Some points to keep in mind if you use this method, from my experience -
1 There is a lot of force involved so do not try to use a weaker bolt or thinner steel in the homemade tool.
2 Installation took me longer than necessary because the bushings would start to go cocked or crooked in the bore and I kept starting again, until I realized it did not matter - just keep on tightening the nut/bolt and the bushing straightens up as it goes in.

Bill G

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

for about the same price as what most shops would charge you to press new ones in.

look at #7865

http://www.mytoolstore.com/astro/asthan14.html?ref=googleadws&kw=ball+joint+tool

[JMI]

I ordered the Lemforder Upper Control Arms with the M5 bushings already pressed in from BMA (http://www.bmaparts.com/) today. They are not listed on the web page but called and spoke to Pat.
My 535i shudders pretty bad when braking at 50-60 mph.

Thanks

Jim

[632 Regal]

now you dont need to worry of your tire is off balance by .005 gram. them 750 bushings would pop on the first hard braking too. I love my M5 bushings.


I ordered the Lemforder Upper Control Arms with the M5 bushings already pressed in from BMA (http://www.bmaparts.com/) today. They are not listed on the web page but called and spoke to Pat.
My 535i shudders pretty bad when braking at 50-60 mph.

Thanks

Jim

[Jehu]

now you dont need to worry of your tire is off balance by .005 gram. them 750 bushings would pop on the first hard braking too. I love my M5 bushings.

Who made your m5 bushings? I just shopped two sites. One was boge/sachs for $44 the other had Lemforder for $11 and change.

[632 Regal]

the ones I got were Lemforders, havent had one dissapointment yet with them.
Who made your m5 bushings? I just shopped two sites. One was boge/sachs for $44 the other had Lemforder for $11 and change.

[Shankster]

Who made your m5 bushings? I just shopped two sites. One was boge/sachs for $44 the other had Lemforder for $11 and change.

Which site is this?

Thanks,
Sid "who feels like a idiot for paying 90 bucks for 2 at the $tealers"

[Tiger]

That's for lower control arm bushing. They have Meyle upper control arm with M5 bushing for $70 a side.

[Jehu]

That's for lower control arm bushing. They have Meyle upper control arm with M5 bushing for $70 a side.

Quite so, i discovered my error. I looked up control arm bushings and those were all which came up thus i assumed they were the uppers.

[Tiger]

no biggie... I bought M5 bushings from Pelican... Lemforder... very very very pricy! I kinda wished I just bought the Meyle... easier on me that I don't have to press in new bushings...