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      10-08-2018, 06:11 PM   #1
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Thrust Arm and Bushing Replacement (DIY?)

Hey all,

Just got back from the dealer after a coolant flush and it appears like my thrust arm bushings are severely worn. To make a long story short, the dealer has quoted:
  1. Replace Front Thrust Arm Bushings (Found thrust arm bushing(s) excessively worn/loose) = $703.64
  2. Perform four wheel alignment (Found thrust arm bushing(s) excessively worn/loose) = $189.99

To make it better they've only quoted the actual ~$70 bushings and bolts as the only parts required. Not the actual thrust arm(s).

So safe to say I'm a bit salty. I know lower control arms are easy in our cars but what's the difficulty like on replace both thrust arms (w/ bushings pre-installed)? Something that I can do in the garage w/ a pretty good set of tools?

Anyone else have a similar experience?

My car is a 2014 335 xdrive for reference.

Thanks!
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      10-08-2018, 07:39 PM   #2
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Why would you want to replace the actual arms unless you need to?

If you have a hydraulic press to remove the bushings from the arms you might be able to DIY it, but given your post asking about it, I get the feeling you don't have the tools required.

The price they quoted you doesn't sound too out of line (for my area anyways).

Either way, you can find the various procedures here.
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      10-08-2018, 09:58 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FaRKle! View Post
Why would you want to replace the actual arms unless you need to?

If you have a hydraulic press to remove the bushings from the arms you might be able to DIY it, but given your post asking about it, I get the feeling you don't have the tools required.

The price they quoted you doesn't sound too out of line (for my area anyways).

Either way, you can find the various procedures here.
Thanks for the link. Parts are cheap enough that I'd consider it, especially since the only thing I don't have is a hydraulic press. The one service manual I found called for the removal of an axle, which I figure it the line where I call it lol.
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      10-08-2018, 11:05 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by viperguy212 View Post
Thanks for the link. Parts are cheap enough that I'd consider it, especially since the only thing I don't have is a hydraulic press. The one service manual I found called for the removal of an axle, which I figure it the line where I call it lol.
Removing the axle probably meant uncoupling it from the hub and knuckle. Not too bad.
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      10-09-2018, 09:11 AM   #5
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I just replaced mine. Both of them went by 65K miles. I have an x drive as well.

The job is very easy on a lift. Make sure you remove the axle bolts on each side (buy new axle bolts; they are one time use)

These arms are known to go bad around 60K miles on modern BMWs. $700 for this job is asinine.
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      08-20-2019, 07:49 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FaRKle! View Post
Why would you want to replace the actual arms unless you need to?

If you have a hydraulic press to remove the bushings from the arms you might be able to DIY it, but given your post asking about it, I get the feeling you don't have the tools required.

The price they quoted you doesn't sound too out of line (for my area anyways).

Either way, you can find the various procedures here.
HI - did you have any symptoms such as vibration? My front end vibrates at highway speeds and while braking, it's not the tires or wheels, nor the rotors and BMW they can't figure out what it is
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      08-21-2019, 01:23 PM   #7
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I have every possible bushing for the F32 from Powerflex, and am working on bushing replacement DIYs on them all and will post them here for sure.

That said, I am still very much learning and trying to find the minimalist approach for all of the process.. leveraging the rear sway bar guide to replace all the bushings there, looking to the fronts for more guidance etc.

Still don't have it all down yet, and waiting on some tools and parts, but welcome any advice as well.

Good to know on the axle bolts? Not seen that anywhere yet..
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      08-21-2019, 02:41 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FaRKle! View Post
Why would you want to replace the actual arms unless you need to?

If you have a hydraulic press to remove the bushings from the arms you might be able to DIY it, but given your post asking about it, I get the feeling you don't have the tools required.

The price they quoted you doesn't sound too out of line (for my area anyways).

Either way, you can find the various procedures here.
In the long and rambling product description for the Turner thrust arm (w/monoball pre-installed), they say:

Since BMW recommends the control arms be replaced for every other bushing change, we prefer to sell these as a pre-assembled set.

So that's one reason? Dunno if they are being honest or not, but I guess maybe the arms get fatigued from repeated articulation. Given that they also sell their bushings without the arm, it doesn't seem like they are just trying to rip the customer off by offering them pre-installed in new arms.
This Dealer could be jumping the gun and suggesting they replace them on the first bushing change to make more money.
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      08-21-2019, 03:36 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jvac View Post
In the long and rambling product description for the Turner thrust arm (w/monoball pre-installed), they say:

Since BMW recommends the control arms be replaced for every other bushing change, we prefer to sell these as a pre-assembled set.

So that's one reason? Dunno if they are being honest or not, but I guess maybe the arms get fatigued from repeated articulation. Given that they also sell their bushings without the arm, it doesn't seem like they are just trying to rip the customer off by offering them pre-installed in new arms.
This Dealer could be jumping the gun and suggesting they replace them on the first bushing change to make more money.

Could be because they're aluminum and pressing bushings in and out widens the hole out of tolerance (or maybe weakens it). On my ZO6, GM recommended not changing the ball joints at all but replacing the entire arm.
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      09-04-2019, 11:22 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Insane435 View Post
I just replaced mine. Both of them went by 65K miles. I have an x drive as well.

The job is very easy on a lift. Make sure you remove the axle bolts on each side (buy new axle bolts; they are one time use)

These arms are known to go bad around 60K miles on modern BMWs. $700 for this job is asinine.
Are we looking at both bolts, marked 8 and 11 on this diagram?

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=31_0942
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      09-04-2019, 11:44 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BMW DIY Guy View Post
Are we looking at both bolts, marked 8 and 11 on this diagram?

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=31_0942
No its the bolt in the center of the rotor.
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      09-04-2019, 11:49 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Insane435 View Post
No its the bolt in the center of the rotor.
Ok, I am unclear of which bolt you are talking about then? I am going to be removing both arms (each side of course) to replace the bushings and want to make sure I am ready and have everything I need.

Thanks!
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      09-04-2019, 11:59 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BMW DIY Guy View Post
Ok, I am unclear of which bolt you are talking about then? I am going to be removing both arms (each side of course) to replace the bushings and want to make sure I am ready and have everything I need.

Thanks!
You don't have axle collar bolts since you're RWD. Control arm swaps are very fast and easy for your vehicle since you just have to undo the ball joint bolts on the knuckle and the bolts holding the bushings to the subframe.
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      09-04-2019, 12:16 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FaRKle! View Post
You don't have axle collar bolts since you're RWD. Control arm swaps are very fast and easy for your vehicle since you just have to undo the ball joint bolts on the knuckle and the bolts holding the bushings to the subframe.
Thanks man, I really appreciate the wisdom as always!
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      09-04-2019, 12:38 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FaRKle! View Post
You don't have axle collar bolts since you're RWD. Control arm swaps are very fast and easy for your vehicle since you just have to undo the ball joint bolts on the knuckle and the bolts holding the bushings to the subframe.
If rwd, this is the easiest job. If awd, you have to remove axle bolt and move the entire boot out of the way.
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      09-04-2019, 03:39 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FaRKle! View Post
You don't have axle collar bolts since you're RWD. Control arm swaps are very fast and easy for your vehicle since you just have to undo the ball joint bolts on the knuckle and the bolts holding the bushings to the subframe.
Interesting.. the TIS says to replace all the bolts and nuts involved when removing the arms.

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/f...ounts/GaGZPQz2

Wonder if it is worth doing so?
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      09-04-2019, 10:15 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BMW DIY Guy View Post
Interesting.. the TIS says to replace all the bolts and nuts involved when removing the arms.

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/f...ounts/GaGZPQz2

Wonder if it is worth doing so?
BMW uses a lot of torque to yield bolts. Those types of bolts shouldn't be reused however I've reused mine several times without much issue. If they can still torque to spec then I continue to use them.
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