2001 330Xi left control arm and Powerflex bushings

Hello, I am having trouble Installing the left front Control arm on my Xi. I did the right side with no issues. I used the Xi version of the FCAB Powerflex Bushings. I oriented the eccentric in the bushing as instructed in the power flex instructions, i am using the washer included with the bushings and the brown powerflex grease....

I just can't seem to get the Lollipop aligned with the two bosses from the subframe. Is there a certain order of installing the three main connection points ? (Inner ball joint, Outer ball joint and rear control arm bushing (lolly pop).

The way i did it was;

1) install the inner ball joint to the control arm
2) install inner ball joint/CA assy to subframe (leave a little loose)
3) install out ball joint to steering knuckle (leave loose)
4) swing FCAB/lolly pop up in place and tighten two bolts.

It is step 4 that I'm have trouble with, the hole in the lolly pop doesn't quite line up.

I reused the original lollipops.

Any ideas ?

Thanks, CH

might need to loosen the inner balljoint from the subframe to give you some more wiggle room, that said make sure nothing is bent and installed properly too

Thanks for the info. I installed the right side Control arm in about 2 Hours. The left side is proving to be much harder. i have compared the old/new control arm and they look identical. I also confirmed that the Powerflex bushing eccentric is correctly oriented. (the hole in the bushing is towards the subframe from the center of the lollipop).

I'll take a few pictures tonight. Thanks again.

I'm sitting here wondering if i pressed the blue part flush to the black interior eccentric part. Hmmm

I just ordered new control arms, bushings, and lollipops from Bavarian Auto. Ordered the whole kit so installation would be a breeze. Hope to learn from your event so I don't have the same. However, since I ordered the CA bushings and new lollipops they are pressing the bushings in for free so it will, hopefully, be a simple unbolt and bolt up the new kit.

Looking forward to your results.

Originally Posted by TwoDuckDad

I just ordered new control arms, bushings, and lollipops from Bavarian Auto. Ordered the whole kit so installation would be a breeze. Hope to learn from your event so I don't have the same. However, since I ordered the CA bushings and new lollipops they are pressing the bushings in for free so it will, hopefully, be a simple unbolt and bolt up the new kit.

Looking forward to your results.

I am using Power flex Bushings. these are different from the OE Bushings and do not have to be pressed. they are urethane and you can press them on the the end of the CA with your hand.

I do it different... but I've never opened my bently yet

I find the key with suspension is to leave everything loose until final installation is complete.

With Powerflex you can install the control arm in the bushing with the lollipop mounted to the car... so..here's what I did.

- Mount lollipop (powerflex black and purple pieces installed)
- loosely attach inner ball joint onto suspension arm
- slide suspension arm stub shaft into lollipop (I greased this connection as well)
- loosely attach inner ball joint to frame
- attach outer ball joint to strut (just enough clearance if inner ball joint is left loose)
- Tighten everything down.

I found that way I wasn't wrestling everything so much and the area was more open, which helps during the confined space entry for installing the lollipop (especially passenger side)

more than 1 way to skin a cat though

doing it your way sounds very difficult to me... as the powerflex bushings dont like to be penetrated and will try to pop the stub part out of the bushing in addition to the mass of trying to get everything else to fit.

Great thanks sounds good.