I think I need new control arm bushings....?

[Jeffrimerman]

My z4 tends to want to go in both directions sorta. It pulls left to right with a wobbly feeling. When you tap on the brakes you can visibly see what looks like the front wheels bounce front to back like dribbling a basket ball. I'm wondering if is the control arm bushings that could cause this. Also, if it is, then is that something I can easily change myself? I've done brakes, and clutches, so I'm a decent home mechanic. Will it need a new alignment after?

[wildag]

Only a visual inspection of the bushings can tell you whether you need new bushings. Post pictures, and we can tell you.

You might just need an alignment.

[Jeffrimerman]

Originally Posted by wildag

Only a visual inspection of the bushings can tell you whether you need new bushings. Post pictures, and we can tell you.

You might just need an alignment.

I'll take a picture asap and post it. Thanks. It has 123k miles on it, so it probably needs something.

Edit: From what I watched on a video, it looks easy to change if it really needs the bushings. It looks like 2 bolts then tear off the housing then pull off the piece that is still attached. Then tap on the new one and bolt it down.

[pokeybritches]

Front control arm bushings are a breeze. If they haven't been replaced by 123k miles then you probably need them. Use a gear puller to get the old ones off and some Dawn soap to lube up the new ones as you slide them on. Do NOT use an air chisel. I replaced mine with the Bavauto heavy duty bushings at 108k miles. The difference in handling was night and day.

[SHEEDI]

Do you guys mean he should replace lower control arms and bushings?

[Spaceman Spiff]

I was told that I need to replace mine but I only have 36K miles on my 03. Is that unusual?

[wildag]

Originally Posted by Spaceman Spiff

I was told that I need to replace mine but I only have 36K miles on my 03. Is that unusual?

The only way to know is a visual inspection. They can degrade because of weather conditions, road conditions, normal use, defects and even rodents.

[pokeybritches]

Originally Posted by Soomro

Do you guys mean he should replace lower control arms and bushings?

I just did the bushings. $101 after shipping from Bavauto.

[Jeffrimerman]

With 123k miles I will change them anyways. My drifting steering must be from bad ones. How do I remove them? Do I need to remove the big metal thing from under it first?

[nickpapa]

same procedure

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthr...t=control+arms

[Jeffrimerman]

Originally Posted by nickpapa

same procedure

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthr...t=control+arms

But it keeps saying URL not found.

[wildag]

Hard to tell exactly from that picture, we'd need one that's up close and personal with the rubber center of the bushing.

However, from what I can see, that bushing looks fine. Its very normal for the bushing to be ok after 120k miles, especially if the car has been garaged and driven in a temperate climate.

You should try having a simple alignment done first.

You might also check the steering rack and rubber components.

[Jeffrimerman]

Originally Posted by wildag

Hard to tell exactly from that picture, we'd need one that's up close and personal with the rubber center of the bushing.

However, from what I can see, that bushing looks fine. Its very normal for the bushing to be ok after 120k miles, especially if the car has been garaged and driven in a temperate climate.

You should try having a simple alignment done first.

You might also check the steering rack and rubber components.

I should look at the left control arm bushing also. Where is the steering rack located? For rubber components do you mean the tie rod ends and other rubber stuff that connects to the wheels?

[wildag]

Originally Posted by Jeffrimerman

I should look at the left control arm bushing also. Where is the steering rack located? For rubber components do you mean the tie rod ends and other rubber stuff that connects to the wheels?

Steering rack is on the driver's side , between the front wheels. Big thing with rubber covers on either side. Has a steering column sticking out the back. Can't miss it.

Yes, you should look at the tie rod ends to see if they're rotted and sticking.

[Hawkeye]

What's a tie rod? Haha. I need a mechanic friend so I can have some clue what you guys are talking about.. especially since I want to start doing my own work...

[Jeffrimerman]

Originally Posted by wildag

Steering rack is on the driver's side , between the front wheels. Big thing with rubber covers on either side. Has a steering column sticking out the back. Can't miss it.

Yes, you should look at the tie rod ends to see if they're rotted and sticking.

When I first posted I mentioned the front wheels moving back as one taps on the brakes. I'm thinking the bushings seem most likely since the steering related things shouldn't allow the wheel to be straight, but literally move back a couple inches. Or maybe they will also.

[nickpapa]

Originally Posted by Jeffrimerman

But it keeps saying URL not found.

sorry

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthr...t=control+arms

[wildag]

Originally Posted by Jeffrimerman

When I first posted I mentioned the front wheels moving back as one taps on the brakes. I'm thinking the bushings seem most likely since the steering related things shouldn't allow the wheel to be straight, but literally move back a couple inches. Or maybe they will also.

Honestly, that could easily be explained by massive toe-in, meaning you need an alignment.

Follow the evidence. If the bushings are fine, its not the bushings.

[Jeffrimerman]

Originally Posted by wildag

Honestly, that could easily be explained by massive toe-in, meaning you need an alignment.

Follow the evidence. If the bushings are fine, its not the bushings.

Here's little more info that might help. My front tires have worn perfectly fine. I've put 50k miles since I bought the car and they were used before that. Would an alignment issue allow for that? It feels like there is some play of some sort as if the left and right tire want to go in different directions, so a little wobbly, but I've driven it like that all the time and just thought maybe the wider tires caused this. On the freeway if there is a lane with one grain, it is fine, if there is two(when they redo the lanes from what was two different lanes) the tires seem to fight each other for control of which direction to go. Not sure if they sheds any more light. I ordered some bushings on ebay and will change them since they weren't expensive and I can eliminate one thing.

[pokeybritches]

Originally Posted by Jeffrimerman

With 123k miles I will change them anyways. My drifting steering must be from bad ones. How do I remove them? Do I need to remove the big metal thing from under it first?

Gear puller. Remove the aluminum cover first.

[Jeffrimerman]

Originally Posted by wildag

Honestly, that could easily be explained by massive toe-in, meaning you need an alignment.

Follow the evidence. If the bushings are fine, its not the bushings.

I haven't taken it on the freeway yet, so I won't say it was taken care of for sure, but on the streets it feels like I am getting more feedback from the road. It's always been the way it was before, so is that normal to have a little feedback in our cars? By feedback I mean I can feel the road in the steering wheel. The old bushings had a lot of play even though they weren't totally destroyed.